Xiloplasto is one of the trade names used by Valentino Landi . The name first appeared on figures in 1939 on 7cm composition. The name Xiloplasto is also used to describe the material Landi developed to produce the figures using a minimum of wire armatures. The original bases were oval composition but were later replaced by rectangular shaped wood, pressed cardboard and later pasteboard. In the late 1940's Landi began issuing the stragley beautiful american Civil War and Western Series of figures. By the late 1950's composition toy soldiers were on the decline and the more durable plastics were coming out. By the early 1960's Landi/Xiloplasto were being issued completely in pvc plastic.

1950's Production Xiloplasto 7cm Indian

1950's pasteboard base from figure above

 For Reference: "Italian Toy Soldiers: Composition and Plastic Production from 1930 to 1970 " by Edizioni Lazzaro

Note: Beware of resin cheap copies of some of these figures. They do not have "Xiloplasto" stamped on the base.