Model soldier, William Britain Limited, British Infantry (Tropical Dress), 1934-1940

Hollow-cast, lead alloy model soldier manufactured by William Britain Limited, London, from Set 1294, 'British Infantry (Tropical Dress)', from the series, 'Armies of the World'.

One of eight toy soldiers wearing khaki tropical dress; infantryman, in shorts and tropical helmet, with moveable left arm with shouldered rifle with fixed bayonet.

Toy manufacturer William Britain Junior invented a process of hollow-casting in lead in 1893, revolutionising the process of making toy soldiers. The style and scale of the figures made by the company W Britain became the industry standard for many years, and they were widely imitated.

Part of the Dr R N P Sutton Collection.