Little army man??

richm · Jun 6, 2009

Any idea of age on this little army guy?? Found him about 6" down at an old green?? Rich.

One mans trash... · Jun 6, 2009

Looks like WWI.

traderoftreasures · Jun 7, 2009

i agree with one mans trash

Fast_Dave · Jun 20, 2009

Just an opinion, but I'd lean more towards WW2. The helmet doesn't have the distictive "doughboy" flat rim that you see on most WW1 soldiers, and most that I've seen have wrapped leggings below the knee(although in this case the dirt may be covering them). This one kinda puts me in mind of some of the Tootsietoy "flats" I've seen. Those are lead toys that are actually more 2 dimensional than 3-D. Another possibility would be Cracker Jack toys, although this seems a little large for that.

trikikiwi · Jun 20, 2009

I'm for WWI.

about 2/3 down page here http://www.aereimilitari.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=10432&st=225&start=225

Notice the gaitors below the knee in this pic, rather than the puttees wraps, is that not a top of gaitor line on the lead soldiers leg? Also, very similar back pack. And a very WWI looking slim pack on the chest of the lead soldier, was that not the gas mask? - unlike the soldier carrying the miniature woman around on his stomach. An unfortunate juxtaposition

Edit: Actually, I am just assuming the pic is of a WWI soldier, because both the guy and the gal are certainly not 1940 era.
Mike

Fast_Dave · Jun 20, 2009

To tell you the truth, I'm not locked into an opinion one way or another. Here's a pic of a WW1 soldier so you can see the difference I see in the shape of the helmet. Typically, WW2 helmets were more rounded while WW1 had that extruding lip around the edge(could just be worn off in this case). And the leggings are pretty clear also. Maybe we could get more detail after a good toothbrush scrubbing? There doesn't appear to be any paint to take off so cleaning shouldn't be a problem.

creskol · Jun 20, 2009

richm said:
Any idea of age on this little army guy?? Found him about 6" down at an old green?? Rich.

There is one clue that makes this toy figure unique to 99.9% of other toy soldiers.. Can anybody guess what it is?

Also, can we please see an image of the front and back?

Thanks

richm · Jun 20, 2009

The pic posted by me or Fast Dave

Rich.

creskol · Jun 20, 2009

richm said:
The pic posted by me or Fast Dave Rich.

The one you posted, Rich.

richm · Jun 20, 2009

Creskol, the first pic is one side, the second one is the other side. If you look at the rifle, you can tell. I can take a pic of the edge, It's sort of flat, about an eighth of an inch thick. As far as it being unique, I don't have a clue?? Rich.

creskol · Jun 20, 2009

richm said:
Creskol, the first pic is one side, the second one is the other side. If you look at the rifle, you can tell. I can take a pic of the edge, It's sort of flat, about an eighth of an inch thick. As far as it being unique, I don't have a clue?? Rich.

Nearly all toy US soldiers are carrying their rifles on their right side. Yours is carrying it on the left. My initial thought was that it was made by Dowst Manufacturing, but the left shoulder arm has me puzzled. I will have to check my books when I get the chance.

Minstrel · Jun 20, 2009

I am pretty sure it is from the 1920's--looking for a pic now.
Minstrel

Minstrel · Jun 20, 2009

Here is a pic of the 1930's marching doughboy:
Mint condition is $8.00--still a very nice find.

creskol · Jun 20, 2009

Minstrel said:
Here is a pic of the 1930's marching doughboy:
Mint condition is $8.00--still a very nice find.

That is real close, but not an exact match.

curbdiggercarl57 · Jun 20, 2009

It's hard to tell without the boots. :wink:

trikikiwi · Jun 21, 2009

Left shoulder arms, :icon_thumright:

surely has to be the same :headbang:

actually, identical in a lot of ways.
I agree with Minstrel :notworthy:

Mike

creskol · Jun 21, 2009

trikikiwi said:
Left shoulder arms, surely has to be the same
actually, identical in a lot of ways.
I agree with Minstrel

Mike

As I said, it is real close, but it is not an exact match. But, in the whole scheme of things, I guess it really doesn't matter one way from Sunday whether they match exactly or not, so I will concede and call it solved. But just for kicks, take a close look at the photos below. One is an overlay, and the other points to some of the main differences.