54MM TOY KNIGHTS, Crescent, Timpo, Britains, and Chinese

I've had some real success, and pleasure researching the history behind some very old 54mm toy knights. Some time ago I purchased a bag of common CHINESE plastic knights. To be honest, I did not think much of them, while the sergeants were fair, the fully armoured were poor, and all needed additional basing. So I decided to purchase, off Ebay, some 1970s BRITAINS, to form the basis of a gift to my Grandnephew, Young Oliver. Now the latter castings arrived needing new weapons fortunately, replacements are available. Job done! Subsequently, in a charity shop, I purchased a single plastic knight for 20p. This turned out to be a 1960s SOLID TIMPO, and I really enjoyed restoring this figure. Also picked up for a total of 80p two lead mounted knights, and I could tell these were old. They are CRESCENT figures and date to the early 1950s. I will only carry out a slight restoration, where necessary, as these are very rare. Well, I've painted and based the best of the CHINESE figures, and they aren't bad, I will add them to the superb BRITAINS. And now, having just arrived, a box of twenty 1960s CRESCENT plastic knights seeking restoration. For reasons unknown, I was the only bidder and picked them up for a delivered total of £5, they normally go for somewhat more. This has been a fun diversion from my 28mm war-games figures, and I love giving the painted a gloss varnish. Note, BRITAINS, CRESCENT, and SOLID TIMPO were all made in England. MGB

PHOTOS: 1. BRITAINS 2. SOLID TIMPO restored 3. SOLID TIMPO original 4. CRESCENT lead 5. CHINESE painted sergeants 6. CHINESE painted knight 7. CRESCENT plastic

The Ebay Horse Archers are Prepared

Work on completing the recent Ebay purchase has started well due to the very little flash on these Essex figures. Most had no flash whatsoever and only faint mould lines. Unfortunately, the painted horses did have some tough resin-like glue on their bases and also where the saddle would have been affixed. Removing this stuff led to some bare metal and I was obliged to spray prime these areas, but these horses are now looking good. Not bad for a single day's work. Looking through the horses, I can now assess which looks best with what figures. And I can also see how these castings will form new units, or be drafted into others. The Cuman helmeted figures came with a sock holding two throwing spears, I won't need these weapons for my planned Lesser Boyars (sixteen strong) but nor will I put them in the melting pot as they will be easy to convert into useful quivers. The Pechenegs will become Cossack horse archers (mustering twelve) and the Ebay purchase included enough step ponies for this unit. The remaining eleven figures have all found homes in some of my established cavalry formations, being able to draw on spare horses already painted and based. MGB

As a footnote, I spotted these two lead 54mm medieval knights in a charity shop toy bin, costing only 40p each. I believe they date back to the 1950s or even earlier. Would like to find out more about these figures before any decisions on whether to restore them, its a project for the future. MGB