Dimestore soldiers
Encyclopedia
Dimestore soldiers are a name first given by collector and author Don Pielin to American made toy soldier
s sold individually in five and dime stores from the 1930s to the 1950s before being replaced by plastic toy soldiers called army men
. Though most figures were hollowcast metal, composition
and plastic dimestore figures were also made. The popularity of the toy soldier reflected public interest in wars around the world and America's own military preparedness
of the era.
figures, the minimally painted dimestore figures were 3 inches/7 cm in size to correspond with the American made standard gauge toy train
s of the time. Though they had made smaller sized figures previously, Barclay began their 3 inch size in 1934 with the figures made of 87% lead and 13% antimony
.
The largest manufacture of toy soldier in the United States in the 1930s and early 1940s was the Barclay Manufacturing Company
. Prices of the soldiers were mostly kept to five cents, a nickel
during this time, making them affordable to children. Other manufacturers made similar figures in mostly comparable sizes. The soldier's uniforms changed with military fashion, going from high collar to open collar and from puttees to leggings
.
In 1942 lead toy production ceased with American toy soldiers being manufactured in composition, plastic and paper. Production resumed in 1945 with moulds reconfigured to the M1 Helmet
but prices rose to 10 and later 15 cents. In the early 1950s Barclay conserved metal by designing new figures with a large "pod foot" instead of the usual base. However the low cost of mass amounts of unpainted plastic figures, the increasing cost of the price of metal and scares of the dangers of metal toys lead to the demise of the dimestore soldier.
Barclay's biggest rival the Manoil Manufacturing Co.
ceased trading in 1959. Barclay ceased trading in 1971.
Toy soldier
A toy soldier is a miniature figurine that represents a soldier. The term applies to depictions of uniformed military personnel from all eras, and includes knights, cowboys, pirates, and other subjects that involve combat-related themes. Toy soldiers vary from simple playthings to highly realistic...
s sold individually in five and dime stores from the 1930s to the 1950s before being replaced by plastic toy soldiers called army men
Army men
Army men, or plastic soldiers, are simple toy soldiers that are about 5 cm tall and most commonly molded from green or other colored relatively unbreakable plastic. Unlike the more expensive toy soldiers available in hobby shops, army men are sold at low prices in discount stores,...
. Though most figures were hollowcast metal, composition
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
and plastic dimestore figures were also made. The popularity of the toy soldier reflected public interest in wars around the world and America's own military preparedness
Preparedness
Preparedness refers to the state of being prepared for specific or unpredictable events or situations. Preparedness is an important quality in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes...
of the era.
Rise and fall
As opposed to the standard 54mm size popularised by BritainsW. Britain
The W. Britain brand name of toy and collectable soldiers is derived from a company founded by William Britain Jr., a British toy manufacturer, who in 1893 invented the process of hollow casting in lead, and revolutionized the production of toy soldiers. The company quickly became the industry...
figures, the minimally painted dimestore figures were 3 inches/7 cm in size to correspond with the American made standard gauge toy train
Toy train
A toy train is a toy that represents a train. It is distinguished from a model train by an emphasis on low cost and durability, rather than scale modeling. A toy train can be as simple as a pull toy that does not even run on track, or it might be operated by clockwork or a battery...
s of the time. Though they had made smaller sized figures previously, Barclay began their 3 inch size in 1934 with the figures made of 87% lead and 13% antimony
Antimony
Antimony is a toxic chemical element with the symbol Sb and an atomic number of 51. A lustrous grey metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite...
.
The largest manufacture of toy soldier in the United States in the 1930s and early 1940s was the Barclay Manufacturing Company
Barclay Manufacturing Company
The Barclay Manufacturing Company was an American metal toy company that specialised in diecast toy cars and hollowcast toy soldiers. Due to their being purchased at five and dime stores, collectors refer to Barclays toy soldiers as "Dimestore soldiers"....
. Prices of the soldiers were mostly kept to five cents, a nickel
Nickel (United States coin)
The nickel is a five-cent coin, representing a unit of currency equaling five hundredths of one United States dollar. A later-produced Canadian nickel five-cent coin was also called by the same name....
during this time, making them affordable to children. Other manufacturers made similar figures in mostly comparable sizes. The soldier's uniforms changed with military fashion, going from high collar to open collar and from puttees to leggings
Leggings
Leggings are a type of fitted clothing covering the legs, which can be worn by both men and women.Originally leggings were two separate garments, one for each leg....
.
In 1942 lead toy production ceased with American toy soldiers being manufactured in composition, plastic and paper. Production resumed in 1945 with moulds reconfigured to the M1 Helmet
M1 Helmet
The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the American military from World War II until it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet beginning in 1985. For over forty years, the M1 was standard issue for the U.S...
but prices rose to 10 and later 15 cents. In the early 1950s Barclay conserved metal by designing new figures with a large "pod foot" instead of the usual base. However the low cost of mass amounts of unpainted plastic figures, the increasing cost of the price of metal and scares of the dangers of metal toys lead to the demise of the dimestore soldier.
Barclay's biggest rival the Manoil Manufacturing Co.
Manoil Manufacturing Co.
Manoil Manufacturing Company was an American metal and plastic toy company. From June 1940 they were located on Providence Street, in Waverly, NY...
ceased trading in 1959. Barclay ceased trading in 1971.