Maker record
Britains
Britains is a British toy maker whose best-known early products were hollow-cast lead soldiers. It expanded into civilian figures and transport subjects in the early twentieth century, then introduced farm figures, animals and equipment as the Model Home Farm in 1921. Hollow casting left a thin metal shell inside the mould, reducing the lead needed and the cost of each figure. After lead model production ended in 1966, Britains continued with plastic figures and other toys; the W. Britain name is used today for metal toy soldiers and military miniatures.
- Founded
- 1893
- Countries
- United Kingdom, United States
- Locations
- London, United Kingdom · 1891 · United States · 1997
- Founders
- William Britain Jr.
The story of Britains
The Britain family made mechanical toys before Britains became known for toy soldiers. Powerhouse Museum dates the family firm to about 1845, when William Britain Snr established a factory at his home in North London. In 1893, the firm began producing hollow-cast toy soldiers. The process involved pouring molten metal into a mould and draining some before it set, leaving a hollow shell. Using less metal made the figures lighter and less costly than solid castings. Powerhouse attributes the hollow-casting development to William Britain Jnr, while the company history credits William Britain Snr with the process.
Britains broadened its range in the early twentieth century with civilian figures, transport subjects and military sets. In 1921, it introduced the Model Home Farm, a series of farm figures, animals, accessories and horse-drawn equipment. Zoo and circus ranges followed. Britains became a limited company in 1907.
After the Second World War, the company added plastic models. Plastic figures became a mainstay, and production of lead models ended in 1966. The company continued with space and agricultural toys as well as plastic military figures, and launched new metal figure sets in 1983. Britains was sold in 1984, acquired by Ertl in 1997 and by Racing Champions in 1999. First Gear acquired the W. Britain name and toy-soldier ranges in 2005. W. Britain continues to produce toy soldiers and military miniatures.
