The Durso line of composition toy soldiers was created by Michel Klimov of Belgium in 1935. Initially produced in his home and marked “BELGIUM”, “BELGIQUE”, or “FABRICATION BELGE” until 1938. The factory opened in 1938 under the name “ALMA” (Ateliers Liegeois de Moulage Artistique) and the “FABRICATION BELGE” was replaced with company name “ALMA” on the figures. The “DURSO” line, from the Latin phrase Duratum ac Solidum (durable and solid) was of higher quality an eventually replaced the “ALMA” figures by 1945. The company was able to continue production during the German occupation of WW II although not without some controversy. According to Vincent Russo and Patrice Servais, “Russian figures (which were originally allowed to be produced because Mr. Klimov indicated that they were representative of the war in Finlandia in 1939), soon became ‘symbols of freedom’ for the Belgians. DURSO flagbearers carrying the Russian flag were openly displayed by Belgian students after the German defeat at Stalingrad.” During this time, Belgian children were often seen playing with German figures whose heads had been broken off.
The overall quality is very high although the variety is not as extensive as other manufacturers.
Durso Gallery
I like the overall quality of the figures and, particularly, the askari pieces representing the Force Publique, a gendarmerie and military force of colonial power in the Congo under Belgium rule. While this was a well trained force after WW II, it was often a brutal and violent element both before and after Congolese independence.
- VJ Russo, P Servais. Durso Composition Figures: “The Medical Services”. Old Toy Soldier: The Journal for Collectors. 2004;28:26-28.
