Buying and Collecting Old Toy Soldiers: Know What Your Getting!

Collecting and Identifying Hausser/Elastolin 7cm Composition Toy Soldiers

The firm of O.& M. Hausser commonly referred to as Elastolin began producing composition toy soldiers around 1904 and continued up through the 1950's. Hausser issued figures in 6 cm and 10 cm scale up through 1932 when they switched to the most accepted and collectable scale of 7 cm after a brief period of producing 6.5 cm figures. Elastolin figures are easily identifiable by the name Elastolin cast in the base. The base is usually oval with the name Elastolin in roman letters which was changed to a script lettering in the late 1930's as new molds were produced. Production from 1932-1942 is justifiably considered the golden age of composition figures. Starting in 1942 they issued what is called 'Kreigs Produktion.' These figures are much cruder in appearance then pre or early war figures, the result of a lack of quality materials and shortages brought on by the war. They were painted in shades of brown rather then the original German Army blue-greens and grays because all paint was needed for the war effort. Production appears to have stopped completely in 1943. After the war Hausser was forbidden to make German Army soldiers so they issued Swiss Army Soldiers (green uniforms and black helmets) probably because they most resembled the German uniforms. In most cases the pre-war molds or unused stocks were used with new heads cast to represent the Swiss Style Helmet. These figures are virtually ignored by collectors and have little or no value to an knowledgeable collector. The tinplate vehicles that were issued after the war were nearly identical to the pre-war production and are still quite collectable. Other post-war production included U.S.GIs, medieval knights, cowboy and indians, farm, woodland and zoo animals and the German Bundeswehr. Most if not all post-war production appeals to a very select group of collectors and should be purchased with that in mind.

Pre-war production of 7 cm figures breaks down into two groups. The post World War I era German "Reichsheer" Army which was the 100,000 man army permitted under the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. These figures feature the uniform that was issued to the old Imperial Field Army in 1915 and are easily distinguished by the red piping and red cuffs on a uniform painted bluish field gray. Hausser catalogs show these were produced up to 1936. When Hitler came into power in 1933 new braiding, insignias and the "Wehrmachtsadler" were added to the uniforms (familiar black and silver color scheme). In 1934 Adolph Hitler announced Germany's unilateral rejection of the Treaty of Versailles and the re-armament began in earnest together with the Nazification of Germany. Hausser production slowly changed to meet this new tide, first evident in the 1935 catalog which introduced political figures. 1935 saw conscription re-introduced in Germany and along with it a new uniform style. By 1936 Hausser figures were being manufactured in the new style of the revitalized Wehrmacht and by 1938 these figures were the dominate style. 1936 also introduced the political/personality figures with porcelain heads. These included Hitler and Goering in a variety of uniforms, Mussolini and most other prominent Nazi party officials and are still quite collectable today.

New collectors should learn the distinctions between pre and post war figures, Reichsheer uniforms (Pre 1936 production) and Wehrmacht era production 1935-1942) Kreigs Produktion 1942/43 and the various scales as general toy and antique dealers are not knowledgeable on the subject and tend to treat all Elastolin figures the same.

Elastolin 7 cm pre-war 'Reichwehr or Reichsheer' Composition Figures

Elastolin 7 cm World War II 'Kreigs Produktion' Composition Figures

Elastolin 7 cm pre and early World War II era Composition Figures

Elastolin 7 cm pre-war Western Composition Figures

Elastolin 7 cm post-war Western Composition Figures

Elastolin 7 cm post-war Military Composition Figures

Watch Out For Repaints!

For Reference: The War Toys 1-The Story of Hausser Elastolin by Reggie Polaine & David Hawkins (Revised Edition)...An excellent reference book on collecting Elastolin Composition figures. 100's of photos including many in color. Includes a reprint of the the 1939/40 Hausser Catalog.