When starting out collecting toy soldiers there are several factors to consider, among which are Scale, Materials, Make and the Era of the toy soldier items you are seeking. Here we try to explain a little about the different aspect of each to help you decide.
Scale
Toy soldiers can be as small as 1/2" or as large as
12". The most popular scale for toy soldier collectors
is about 2 1/4" high. This scale is known as 54mm or
1/32nd. 54mm scale soldiers are big enough to have a good
deal of detail, yet small enough to allow you to play with
lots of them in a small space. This is the scale that most
people visualize when they see a toy soldier in their mind's
eye. We specialize in this scale. There are more metal and
plastic figures produced in this scale than any other.
The 2nd most popular scale is about 3/4" high. This is known as HO (pronounced as 2 letters: H - O), and incorporates 1/72nd, 1/76th and 1/87th scales. HO scale is popular with wargamers (see below), as the small size allows for a great many figures in a small space. Detail is limited and HO figures are not well suited to display.
Some plastic lines like Marx Warriors of the World and
many European figures, are in 60mm scale (about 2 1/2 inches
tall). There are far fewer figures cast in 60mm than 54mm.
Most collectors mix the two scales, as a 60mm figure is only
10% larger than a 54mm guy is. Others wouldn't consider
mixing scales, so it's a matter of personal preference.
Materials
There
are a great many materials that have been used to make toy soldiers,
the most comon are plastic and metal. We say 'metal' rather than
'lead' because, since 1966, lead has been banned from use in toys. The
metal, often tin, used in soldiers since then is considered non-toxic.
Nevertheless, if you are buying soldiers for children it may be
advisable to opt for plastic rather than metal for safety.
Metal figures are generally more expensive per figure and more fragile. They are suited to display. Plastic figures, whether painted or unpainted, are considerably cheaper and generally more rugged.
The quality of plastic varies depending on the
manufacturer and the vintage of the figure. Hard plastic,
which is more brittle, has rarely been used for figures but
is often used for accessories like houses and artillery
pieces. Most of figures are cast in soft plastic, which
is less breakable and by far the first choice of collectors.
Eras
As you start to look in to toy soldiers, you'll see that there are many eras of soldiers available. Soldiers have been cast for eras ranging from ancient Greece and Rome, and figures from 'pre-history', right through to the 20th Century. However very few figures have been devoted to military conflicts since World War II. The most popular era for soldier collectors is the American Civil War, followed closely by World War II, The Middle Ages, The Napoleonic Era and the American Revolution.
If
you are interested in a particular period from history you can pretty
much bet on it that there are solders being made from it.
Makes
Collectors
often have a special fondness for particular soldier makers such as
Timpo, Cherilea, Britains, Airfix, among others. Although some
collectors may frown upon you there is nothing wrong with collecting
different soldiers from diferent makers. Its your collection, collect
what you like.