The history of early plastic toy soldiers began in the late 1930’s with Bergen Toy & Novelty Co. (Beton) creating the first American plastic injection-molded toy soldier in 1938. These early figures were initially painted to look like lead soldiers and reflected WWI-era uniforms. After World War II, plastic production boomed as the material was seen as a cheaper and more versatile alternative to metal. Many new companies and pre-existing ones started producing plastic figures, and they were often sold unpainted in army-green colors, while Louis Marx began selling popular playsets in the 1950s. This has continued into the modern era.
Plastic Toy Soldier Gallery
Lots of different manufacturers. The Mettoy “Emergency Ward Hospital” was produced based on a British medical soap opera series from the 1960’s called “Emergency Ward 10”. You can also see the later plastic production of some earlier toy soldier companies including Timpo and Britains.Â
N Joplin. The Great Book of Hollow-Cast Figures. New Cavendish Books, 1993.
