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Although not entirely correct we have split Britains into three basic categories; Herald (plastic bases), Swoppet (many interchangeable pieces) and Deetail (metal bases). Numbers given are from Peter Cole's fine book. If you collect plastic Britains you need this book (SEE ABOVE).
BRITAINS ANCIENT FIGURES AND ACCESSORIES
"HERALD" PLASTIC BASE FIGURES
Trojans
These figures were sculpted by Norman Sillman. He gave each figure a name from participants at the siege of Troy as written in the Iliad by Homer. They were retailed as Trojan Warriors.
Swoppet Knights
Considered by many to be the nicest plastic figures ever made.
Wilton's of Chicago made copies of Britains and Timpo figures in Hong Kong.
Robin Hood
In the above picture the Sheriff is missing his sword.
Men at Arms and Knights
The first two figures, 430 with rock and 431 right hand out, are the catapult crew. They were in production from 1967 to 1976 and then again from 1986 to 1988. The two figures on the right, 432 crouching right hand up and 433 holding large arrow, are the balista crew. They were in production from 1967 to 1979 and again from 1986 to 1987. At least two different color paint schemes were used, with black armor being last. Although some bases are marked made in England it is believed that all were made in Hong Kong.
Six foot figures were produced from 1968 to 1976 only in Hong Kong. As seen above, each figure has at least two different paint schemes. The figure poses are; 522 w/ Halberd visor shut, 523 Standing shooting bow, 524 kneeling shooting bow, 525 Advancing w/ sword, 526 w/ halberd visor open, and 527 with shield and mace. The figures are made of PVC but the separate halbards for 522 and 526 were made of polyethylene and seem to be broken about 95% of the time. The Timpo spear is a good fit for these two figures (as can be seen in the picture) .
As with the foot Men at Arms the mounted knights were produced from 1968 to 1976 only in Hong Kong. There were four poses; 528 w/ sword, 529 w/ ax, 530 w/ lance no plume on helmet, 531 w/ lance plume on helmet. There were also two different horses made for this set. The figures have at least two different paint schemes and the horses have several colors of blankets. Now days many figures have had their "butt peg" broken when they were removed from the horse by their original owners. The paper decals also seem to fall off and original lances are often broken.
Production of the Deetail range was moved from England to China starting about 1987. By 1991 all Deetail figures being produced were being made in China. I believe the knight molds MAY HAVE BEEN MOVED BY 1988, but will call England production pre 1990 and China production post 1990 for some hope of standardization.
The Deetail Turks were produced from 1973 to 1998. In about 1985 the foot Turks were switched from navy blue to black plastic. In about 1991 three mounted figures; 709, 711, and 714 were deleted from production.
First made in 1973 they existed in one form or another until the end in 1998. From 1985 to about 1990 they were made in black as well as silver plastic as "Storm" Knights. In the early 1990s some of the poses were made in gold with painted capes. Some also done in gold had the large shield attached and became"Shield" knights. Each mounted knight will have a lance with flag affixed to the saddle,
Made in England pre 1990
I believe about 1991 three of the mounted knight poses were deleted and will not be found in any of the last three styles. These poses; 697, 698 and 700 have only been seen by me in the standard silver and black colors.
The first series Deetail foot knights were first made in 1973. In about 1991 Group A (691,692 & 695) were deleted from production and Group B (693,694 & 696) was combined with Group B of the second series silver knights to make the standard Deetail set of six foot poses from about 1991 to the end in 1998. Older version have paper shield decals while later versions have metallic foil decals.
The second series silver knights were first produced in 1978. Group A (909,912 & 913) was deleted around 1991 and Group B (910,911 & 914) was combined with Group B of the first series set to make the standard Deetail set of six poses made from about 1991 to the end in 1998. These figures were also offered from 1985 to 1989 (and perhaps up to 1994) in a black plastic and sold as STORM KNIGHTS the opponents of the silver knights perhaps.
Made from 1984 to 1989. There were six distinct bodies as well as six harder to tell apart sets of legs. This allowed for a great range of poses and it is unsure why these knights enjoyed such a short production run. All six poses were also available as mounted figures. In 1988 the mounted versions were made in gold plastic and adapted to have the large shield and were sold as "Shield" Knights. Some of the original mounted knights were also pressed into duty as mounted gold "Shield" knight which were phased out by about 1994.
Foot
Made from 1986 to 1993 these knights were larger than the other knight figures standing about 60mm. The last year or two saw these made with helmets [painted black ( side sword eliminated as well). Mounted figures to match this series were made from both the mounted silver knights and the third version "Semi-Swop" knights. These mounted figures were done in a matching gold color and adapted to hold the large shield. These were all made in China.
The last gasp from Britains the Robin Hood figures were made from 1996 to 1998.
Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlet, Sheriff of Nottingham and evil Guy of Gisbourne.
