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.
BRITAINS "THE LAVENDER FAIRY" #40370 Figure condition = 10/10
Box condition = 9/10
Britains "The Lavender Fairy" which is in mint condition, only taken from box for photos.
Box is in excellent condition.
Made in 2002.
This item is based on...
BRITAINS "PETER RABBIT EATING" #40389 Figure condition = 10/10
Box condition = 9/10
Britains "Peter Rabbit Eating".
Is in mint condition, only taken out of box for photos.
Box is in excellent condition.
Is 5.5 cm tall.
This item has be...
BRITAINS #2001 BLACK BEAUTY Figure condition = 10/10
Box condition = 8/10
William Britains Black Beauty was made in 1974, figure is in mint condition.
Box is in very good condition grubby in parts and wear to corners and edges.
Beco...
SHOW JUMPING MILITARY RIDER & HORSE #2077 A+/B-A
Made by Britains.
Mint figure includes fence which appears complete.
Box has discolouration general wear and tear with creasing.
Adult collectors only.
UK customer please do not choose large parcel delivery for this item only.
BRITAINS #2075 SHOW JUMPER AND RIDER Figure condition = 10/10
Box condition = 7/10
Mint figures inside a box which has some wear, window has some denting.
Overall box is in very good condition.
Adult collectors only.
UK customer please do ...
BRITISH SCOUT CAR 1/32 SCALE #9781 Model condition = 9/10
Box condition = 8/10
Inner card condition = 7/10
Made by Britains in 1974.
On one small raised area there appears to be some light wear.
Includes unused decals.
Inner card stand ...
GERMAN OFFICER WITH WHIP Figure condition = 10/10
54mm figure manufactured by Britains in 1985, figure is die-cast.
Unique figure which was owned and painted by multi award winning artist Mr G. Hanger who is widely recognised as bein...
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...