Maya Ellison
Plastic toy soldiers are widely available from specialist retailers such as The Toy Soldier Company and Toy Soldiers Depot, as well as general retailers like Walmart. These retailers offer a range of plastic toy soldiers in various scales and from different historical periods, including Ancients, Medieval, Wild West, World War II, and modern armies. Plastic toy soldiers are generally cheaper and more durable than their metal counterparts and are a popular choice for collectors and children's play alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toy Soldier Company | The Toy Soldier Company |
| BMC Toys | BMC Toys Online Shop |
| Toy Soldiers Depot | Toy Soldiers Depot |
| Walmart | Walmart.com |
| Toy Sizes | 1/2 inch to 3 inches |
| Most popular size | 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches (54mm and 60mm) |
| Toy Soldier Material | Soft Plastic, Metal |
| Toy Soldier Types | Painted, Unpainted, Plastic Green Army Men |
| Toy Soldier Eras | Ancient Greece, Rome, American Revolution, Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, World War II, Modern Armies |
| Price Range | $9.90 - $18.90 |
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What You'll Learn
Online retailers like Walmart and BMC Toys
Walmart
Walmart offers a range of plastic toy soldiers, often including accessories such as vehicles and helicopters. These toys are typically priced between $15.99 and $24.99, with some items being discounted from their original price. For example, the TOY Life Army Men Toys for Boys, which includes plastic soldiers, vehicles, and a helicopter, is priced at $16.97, reduced from its original price of $16.97. Walmart's selection also includes larger sets, such as the Joyfy 164-piece Military Battle Group Bucket, priced at $24.99.
BMC Toys
BMC Toys, founded by Bill McMaster in 1991, specialises in historically themed plastic soldier playsets. Their product line includes the "Classic Army Men Collection," featuring toy soldier figures and accessories manufactured in the USA using vintage toy moulds from iconic 20th-century companies. BMC Toys offers a variety of playsets, such as the "Revolutionary War Camp & Supplies - 23pc Plastic Soldier Playset Accessories" and the "Classic Sci-Fi Mars Base Camp 24pc Plastic Army Men Space Accessory Playset," both priced at $14.90. They also offer unique sets like the "Classic American Revolution Colonists - White 21pc Plastic Figure Playset" for $17.90. BMC Toys provides free shipping within the USA for orders over $30.
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Plastic vs. metal toy soldiers
Plastic and metal toy soldiers are widely available from specialist online retailers, such as The Toy Soldier Company, Trains and Toy Soldiers, and BMC Toys. These retailers offer a range of different scales, materials, and historical eras to choose from.
When it comes to the advantages of plastic toy soldiers, they are considerably cheaper and more durable than their metal counterparts. Plastic figures are also available in a wider range of scales, from 15mm to 60mm, and can be purchased individually or in boxed sets. Plastic has been used in toy soldiers for a long time, with the earliest examples made from celluloid or bakelite, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, respectively. More recently, plastic injection moulding has allowed for quicker and cheaper production, with companies like Airfix, Timpo, Cherilea, and Crescent adopting this method in the 1950s.
Metal toy soldiers, on the other hand, are generally more expensive and fragile. They are typically sold in sets and are primarily intended for display rather than play, with metal figures being recommended only for children aged 14 and above. The two most common sizes for metal toy soldiers are 54mm and 60mm, which are considered standard scales for collectors and manufacturers. Metal has also been used in toy soldiers for a long time, with hollowcast metal and tin being popular materials. However, lead was commonly used until 1966 when it was banned due to health concerns, causing companies like Britains to switch to plastic production.
Both plastic and metal toy soldiers have their advantages and appeal to different collectors. Plastic toy soldiers offer affordability, durability, and a wide range of scales and figures, making them ideal for play and collecting. Metal toy soldiers, despite being more expensive and delicate, possess a certain level of detail and authenticity that makes them desirable for display and collecting, particularly for those interested in specific historical eras.
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Popular historical eras for soldiers
Toy soldiers are miniature figurines that depict uniformed military personnel from various historical eras. They can be made from different materials, but the most common mass-produced varieties are made from metal and plastic. Tin soldiers, for example, were the first toy soldiers to be mass-produced, with the earliest ones being made in Germany as early as the 1730s.
The popularity of toy soldiers continued to grow during the 18th century, inspired by the military exploits of Frederick the Great. They have since been produced to represent soldiers from various historical eras, including:
Ancient World
Toy soldiers from the Ancient World include those from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as other ancient civilisations like Carthage.
Middle Ages
This era includes toy soldiers in the form of knights, which were popular during the Middle Ages.
American Revolution
Toy soldiers from this era include both the American and British colonial forces, such as the BMC Toys' American Revolution Colonists and American Colonial British Loyalist plastic figure playsets.
Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars-era toy soldiers are also popular, likely due to the famous military leader Napoleon Bonaparte.
American Civil War
This era is another popular choice for toy soldier collectors, with its iconic Union and Confederate armies.
World War II
World War II is a well-known era for toy soldiers, with many collections focusing on the generals and soldiers of this conflict, such as Louis Marx and Company's "Generals of World War II" collection.
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Different scales of toy soldiers
Toy soldiers come in a variety of sizes, ranging from as small as half an inch to as large as 3 inches. The scale of a toy soldier is typically expressed as the soldier's approximate height in millimetres, with the standard size being 54mm or 2.25 inches, also referred to as 1:32 scale. This size is considered the classic toy soldier by most collectors and manufacturers, and is commonly known as the "army men" seen in movies like "Toy Story". This size strikes a balance between detail and the ability to play with multiple soldiers on a tabletop.
Smaller scales, such as 25mm or even less, are often preferred by gamers and miniatures enthusiasts, as they allow for larger armies and more intricate battlefields. These smaller scales are also commonly used in wargaming, where intricate rules for playing war games with toy soldiers were pioneered by H.G. Wells in his 1913 book, "Little Wars".
On the larger end of the spectrum are American dime store figures and many German-produced toy soldiers, which are approximately 75mm or 3 inches, or 1:24 scale. These larger figures offer more opportunities for intricate details and unique poses, making them popular among collectors who appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry of toy soldiers.
Collectors of toy soldiers often specialize in specific scales that match their historical periods of interest, such as the Napoleonic, American Civil War, or World War II. These collectors may also modify and paint their plastic figures or even cast and paint their own metal soldiers, creating unique additions to their collections.
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Toy soldier accessories
Toy soldiers are a classic plaything and have been a source of entertainment for many generations of children. They are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from as small as half an inch to as large as 3 inches tall. The most popular size is around 2.25 to 2.5 inches, which is big enough to feature intricate details while still being small enough for tabletop play.
Toy Soldier Depot carries a wide range of plastic toy soldiers, vehicles, and accessories. They offer products from various military periods, including Ancients, Medieval, Alamo, American Civil War, Wild West, World War II, and 'Modern' Armies. They stock items from companies like Airfix, BMC, CTS, Imex, Italeri, Marx, Revell, and Tamiya Model.
The Toy Soldier Company is another great option, boasting the best selection of plastic and metal toy soldiers, playsets, and accessories. Their figures are available in a range of materials, including soft plastic and painted metal, and cover practically every historical era, from ancient Greece and Rome to the 21st century.
BMC Toys offers a variety of plastic toy soldiers and accessories, including playsets, stickers, and vehicles. Their products cover different military periods, such as the Revolutionary War and World War II.
When purchasing toy soldier accessories, it is important to consider the scale and compatibility with your existing collection. Ensure that the accessories, such as vehicles, buildings, and scenery pieces, are in proportion to your toy soldiers for a cohesive display or play experience.
Additionally, consider the historical era and theme of your toy soldier collection to choose accessories that enhance the overall aesthetic and play value. For example, if you have a collection of World War II-themed soldiers, you might want to look for accessories like tanks, planes, and military vehicles from that era.
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Frequently asked questions
You can purchase plastic toy soldiers from various online retailers, including Walmart, The Toy Soldier Company, Toy Soldiers Depot, Classic Toy Soldiers, and BMC Toys.
Plastic toy soldiers come in a variety of sizes, ranging from as small as 1/2 inch to as large as 3 inches. The most popular scales are 54mm and 60mm (approximately 1/32nd the size of an average human), which are considered interchangeable by collectors and manufacturers.
Yes, most toy soldiers are made from soft plastic, which is the preferred choice for collectors. However, some retailers offer unpainted plastic soldiers as well.
Absolutely! You can find plastic toy soldiers from a wide range of historical periods, including ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the American Revolution, the American Civil War, World War II, and even futuristic or sci-fi themes.
