William Britain, a gifted toymaker, founded his company in the late 1840,s in North East London.
Eldest son William Britain Jnr invented the hollow casting process for lead soldiers in the 1890's.
Britains toy soldiers were manufactured to the scale of toy trains, resulting in the 54mm standard size by which soldiers are still produced today.
WW1 saw the factory convert from toy production to wartime materials, but the export of toys continued.
The home farm range was introduced following the war. Britains diversed the toy lines to include motor vehicles, zoo, circus, and garden themes.
After offering its largest toy line ever in 1940, the factory was once again plunged into wartime production.
By 1953, Britains had returned to normal production and faced considerable competition from plastic toys.
Britains bought leading plastic toy manufacturer Herald in 1959 and had a well established foothold on the market place.
Hollow-casting ceased in 1966.
The company thrived over the next four decades.
Diecast metal soldiers were re-introduced in the 1990,s . The company was sold to Ertl in 1997 and remains under Ertl today.
*GRADING SYSTEM EXPLAINED*
WILLIAM BRITAINS LARGE VINTAGE 1937 STATE COACH OF ENGLAND Toy condition = 9/10
Box condition = 7/10
This scarce vintage large scale Coach Of England #1470 is the 2nd version comprising of 8 horse team of Windsor Greys, 4 riders with whips.
Gilt State Coach contain...
BRITAINS ARMOURED CAR WITH REVOLVING TURRET/GUN #1321 Model condition = 9/10
Box condition = 8/10
Vintage Britains #1321 Armoured car is in excellent condition.
Green with black wings and running boards. Revolving turret, white rubber tyres, some very small re...
BRITAINS CAMERON HIGHLANDERS WITH OFFICER Figures condition = 10/10
Box condition = 9/10
Britains Cameron Highlanders with Officer #40190 Hollow Cast Collection made in 2001.
All authentically hand painted in great detail.
The figurines are all...
BRITAINS HIGHLAND INFANTRY WITH SERGEANT Figures condition = 10/10
Box condition = 9/10
#40195 Britains 1815 Highland Infantry with Sergeant, Hollow cast collection.
Made in China 2001.
Mint condition, never taken out except for photos.
Box i...
BRITAINS GERMAN MARK IV TANK WITH FIGURES STALINGRAD Model and figures condition = 10/10
Box condition = 9/10
Britains #17600 German Mark IV Tank with Figures, WWII "Stalingrad".
Made in 2005 in China.
This item is in mint condition and box is in excellent...
KHAKI INFANTRY #7302 Figures condition = 10/10
Box condition = 6/10
Made by Herald in Hong Kong.
Mint figures which are stuck by base to inner card. Window of box is fully detached and is torn.
Box has general wear and tear. ...
BRITAINS TRIKE CHOPPER #9764 Model condition = 9/10
Box condition = 7/10
Chopper Trike with canopy #9764. Trike dusty but otherwise excellent to mint, in a box with wear.
Back of box is separated but all complete and closes.
Mad...
SELECTION OF 7 45th BENGAL INFANTRY "MARCHING THE TRAIL 1890'S" Figures condition = 10/10
Manufactured by Britians, possibly made from lead.
These 54mm figures were owned and painted by multi award winning artist Mr G. Hanger who is widely recognised as being one of the l...
BRITAINS TANK SUPPORT TEAM US 1ST DIVISION Figures condition = 10/10
Box condition = 9/10
Britains Tank Support Team UD 1ST Division "big Red One".
#17494
This hard set to find is in mint condition, has only been taken out of box for photos.
Mad...
BRITIANS NORTON RACING BIKE 850cc #9671 Models condition = 9/10
Box condition = 8/10
Britains Norton 850cc #9671 which is in excellent condition. Box has signs of wear. Made in 1974.
Adult collectors only.
UK customer please do not choose large parcel delivery for this item only.
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