World war 2 toy soldiers

The complete guide to vintage toy soldiers

For as long as there have been wars, children have loved to play with toy soldiers.

The appeal of little military figures soared in the late 19th Century, but they’ve even been found in the tombs of ancient pharaohs.

Nowadays, they’re far more than just a bit of childhood fun. For many collectors, they’re a intense investment that could be worth thousands.

This guide is designed to help anyone with an interest in toy soldier collecting so they can discover:

• The history of toy soldiers
• How they were made
• What they might be worth
• What to consider before buying or selling

The history of toy soldiers

Mostly standing between 15mm and 105mm giant, toy soldiers is a legal title which usually refers to any miniature human figure that’s meant to represent a combat character.

Found in Egyptian tombs dating assist to 2500 BC, these diminutive soldiers were probably made for ritual purposes rather than as toys.

Early figurines were made from wood, porcelain and silver. Initially, these were crafted for generals and monarchs to be used during war-strategy meetings.

In the 18th century, advances in production saw t