(Please Note: TBA = To Be Added)

Buying Elastolin 7cm Plastic Toy Soldiers

The O. & M. Hausser produced Elastolin 7cm plastic figures that were issued in three different versions. Not all the figures or time periods were issued in all three versions. There also exists three or more officially licensed versions. It is a common misconception that Elastolin is the name of the company. The real name is O. & M. Hausser. The name Elastolin comes from the composition compound that O. & M. Hausser developed in 1912 and named Elastolin. This composition was made up of kaolin, glue and sawdust. By compressing the composition into a multi part mold containing a wire armature and baking it, a figure was produced. In the late 1940's Hausser started issuing plastic figures with the name Elastolin on the base. The word Elastolin had evolved into a representation of any figure or toy soldier issued by the Hausser company. The Hausser company ceased operations in 1983 and sold the molds for it's plastic figures to Preiser, a German company that is known for it's production of model railroad figures. Since that time Preiser has reissued many of the Hausser figures including Normans, Western, Landsknechts, Romans, Vikings and German Army figures. Another company in France named Ougen also issued Hausser/Elastolin figures under license but they were painted by Ougen and not Hausser. Finally in the 1970's an American company, Continental Hobbies was given a license to issue painted Elastolin figures in America. Continental Hobbies followed painting guides and guidelines supplied by the Hausser company and the figures look similar to Hausser/Elastolin Early Third Version issues. BEWARE! Recently there have been people on the internet claiming they are official painters for Elastolin products but since the company went of business in 1983 and Continental Hobbies has the only official license this simply is not true.

The following is a general guide to the different versions of Elastolin 7cm Plastic Toy Soldiers:

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Official Hausser/Elastolin Produced Versions:

1st Version (also called Version I or Painting One): These figures were molded in a beautiful ivory colored plastic. A stain or wash was then applied to represent the flesh or clothing.

2nd Version (also called Version II or Painting Two): These figures were molded in white plastic with the flesh and clothing painted. The clothing was shaded by dry brushing.

3rd Version (also called Version III or Painting Three): These figures were molded in pink plastic to save painting costs of the exposed flesh areas. Third version production is the most varied in regards to painting. Since third version was in production longer than the other versions (20 some years) it is understandable that there are differences. Basically the best way to date third version figures is to look at the degree of shading and detailing. Early third version had a large degree of shading and highlighting while near the end of production the figures were painted in straight colors.

Officially Licensed Versions:

Ougen Version: The French company Ougen had a license to issue Elastolin figures. Ougen figures were painted in France and not Germany and are garish in appearance. The paint is extremely glossy and not very attractive. Be careful! Many people and companies try to pass Ougen/Elastolin (which is virtually worthless to an Elastolin collector) off as Hausser/Elastolin.

Danish Version: Hausser/Elastolin figures were issued under license in Denmark. These are absolutely the worst painted figures on earth.

Continental Hobbies Version: Painted under license from Hausser these figures resemble the original early 3rd Version Hausser issues. Note: That Continental Hobbies has been using Preiser kits for certain figures (Romans, which come with painted flesh instead of the original pink plastic) as the supply of original Hausser kits is depleted. If you are interested in the original Hausser kits it is best to check first as the figures are not marked in the catlalog. In the past they have done also special painting of figures such as Prussians in white to represent Austrians. These should be considered collector paintings.

Preiser Version: 7cm Elastolin figures were also issued by Preiser who bought the molds after Hausser went out of business. Preiser figures are actually painted much nicer than 3rd Version Elastolin. The flesh is painted rather than pink plastic and there is a nice degree of shading on the figures. The most distinguishing characteristic of Preiser figures is the absence of the round dot on the base. Still in Production.

Identifying Elastolin Western Items including Cowboys and Indians:

What To Look For When Buying J Series Cowboy and Indians

So called J series Cowboys and Indians were the first plastic toy soldiers produced by Hausser/Elastolin. The comes about from the 'J' that was stamped on the dark green base. The reason for this 'J' is unknown. Although it is assumed that J figures first appeared in 1955 many people claim to have them as children as far back as the late 1940's. And the exact date of first production is unknown at this time. 'J' series figures were produced in two distinct versions. The first version figures are unique in that the sculpting doesn't resemble anything else Hausser produced in plastic. They truly have a charm of their own! These figures were usally molded in one solid bright color for the trousers or shirts like green, yellow, blue or orange which were left unpainted and then the flesh and other items were painted over. Something happened to the original sculpting’s around 1955 because the figures were completely re-sculpted with a totally different- more modern appearance although in the same poses, hence the second version 'J' figure. Many of the second version figures remained in production until the demise of Hausser. Identifying the two different series of J figures

Western Indians: TBA

Western Cowboys: TBA

Western Accessories: Train, Stagecoach, Forts, Buldings: TBA

Identifying Medieval Elastolin Normans and Knights:

By far the most popular Elastolin plastic figures are the Normans. The first five were personality figures of Prince Valiant or 'Eisenherz' (1st version 1955) and a second version with the sword raised (1956.) When the movie 'Prince Valiant' was released the figure was resculpted to look like Robert Wagner who started as the prince in the movie (This figure is only found in Second Version ). Sir Gawain (1955), Prince Arne (1956) and Prince Valiant in Combat (1956) and a Queen (1957). The rest of the Normans were first issued between 1957 and 1961, with the final four mounted figures (the so called rearing horse Normans) in 1966. All foot Normans were issued by Hausser in three so called versions. Version or Painting I, Version or Painting II, Version or Painting III also called Pink Plastics. Of the mounted Normans it is rumored that all of the original eight were issued in first version painting but no one has claimed to own a first version of any of the lance riders. The four reaing horse versions were only issued in Version II and III. The first version figures are considered by many to be the most beautiful toy soldiers ever produced. At the time these were expensive by most toy standards and therefore tented to be sold to more affluent families through high end department stores rather than hobby shops. The vast majority of these figures were exported to the United States because the German economy was still recovering from the war and most German families could not afford such costly toys. In general the basic foot Normans were issued in four different clothing colors- Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. Because Hausser used private painters (usually housewives and people in the countryside surrounding the factory) the color shades and variations are endless. Most advanced collectors place a premium on certain colors of certain poses. For instance the first version Norman with the rock is very common in gold and red but rare in green and very rare in blue. In general red and gold figures are much more common than blue and green.

What To Look For When Buying Elastolin Normans:

Missing Thumbs on the Ladder Climbers: Each Norman ladder climber had two thumbs which helped the figure grip the ladder. These are very delicate and easily broken off. Missing thumbs seriously degrade the value. Another item to watch is the ladder itself which comes with two small and easily broken pegs that rest against the castle wall. Make sure both are present. Remember to use care when putting the figure on the ladder. Do not force it or the thumbs will snap off.

Broken or Repaired Sword Case or Scabbard: These thin plastic accessories were easily broken. Many times you will find these have been reglued. The eastiest way to tell is to hold the figure in bright light and look for glossy or shiny glue residue.

Catalog reproduction showing correct horse and weapon configuration: TBA

Identifying Elastolin Romans

The Romans first appeared in 1961with marchers. The fighting figures followed in 1962 with four final foot figures, the archer’s and sling throwers released in 1966. The mounted figures were released in 1962 and although the catalog shows six different figures this was achieved through some clever changes to the basic sculpting. By adding a cape to one figure and putting it on a different horse or changing the weapon there appeared to more poses. As stated the first six figures (the marchers) were released in 1961 and these can be found in in Version 2 painting. Produced for only one year these are extremely scarce today. With the release of the fighting figures in 1962 Hausser also came up with a new production technique- the Third Version figure, that is a figure molded in pink plastic to represent the skin rather than white which had to be painted. In 1967 the Roman Chariot was released and finally in 1981 a specially painted limited edition (of 400- with the number stamped on the bottom) set of 16 marching figures was released in a special box set- some say as a last ditch effort to stimulate declining sales. It is believed that these figures were never imported in the United States and are quite scarce here.

Identifying Marching Romans

Identifying Fighting Romans

Identifying Mounted Romans

Identifying the Roman Chariot and Spear Thrower

Roman Packaging and Limited Edition Set

Elastolin Roman Catalog reproduction showing correct horse and weapon configuration

Identifying Elastolin Huns

Hassuer issued Huns starting in 1962 with three figures added 1964. These were first released in Version II painting but in such limited quantities that Version II was probably not produced for more than one year. Since the Huns were a nomadic tribe of warrior horsemen I suppose it's logical that no foot figures were ever produced although some beautiful ones were issued by Diedhoff of Germany in 1997. Although the catalog shows 13 different mounted poses this was achieved by using seven basic figures, four different horses and three different weapons. Huns went out of production sometime in the early 1970's and have never been reissued by Preiser.

Identifying Huns

Hun Packaging

Elastolin Hun Catalog reproduction showing correct horse and weapon configuration (Slow Loading!)

Vikings: TBA

Landsknecht: TBA

Turks: TBA

American Civil War: TBA

Africans/Natives and Hunters: TBA

Animals: TBA

For Reference: Numbers and dates provided are from Hausser/Elastolin and taken from the book... Elastolin Kunststoff-Figuren By Andreas Pietruschka and Fritz Miller. Published 1993