✅ SOLVED Who is this guy?

[2Minnesota]

It's cast, pot metal? It's fairly heavy for its size. No markings I could find. Found in a lake in north central MN. My first thought was a parachute of sorts. Thanks again for any help!

 

[G.I.B.]

The one I had as a kid was heavy so you could throw it further.

You would roll up the chute and throw him off the roof, bridge or as high as you could and watch the parachute open.

Most were made of plastic, but you couldn't throw them as far.

 

[SeabeeRon]

The one I had as a kid was heavy so you could throw it further.

You would roll up the chute and throw him off the roof, bridge or as high as you could and watch the parachute open.

Most were made of plastic, but you couldn't throw them as far.

That was my first thought as well GIB!

 

[Kevlardini]

That's a cool piece! It's a lead soldier made by either Barclay or Manoil, and were sold in dimestores back then. Looks like he might have a radio mounted on his back, and you can see his headphones, used to listen to incoming signals. Because of his base that he is mounted on and how both feet are connected to the same base, he's probably early 1940's, and could be from WWII.

 

[2Minnesota]

Thank you Kevlardini! Solved again! The people here are so helpful.

 

[Mackaydon]

Kev, you are right.
This is a vintage dimestore toy solider Standing Radio Operator made by Manoil, model no. M116
https://www.etsy.com/listing/238105510/vintage-manoil-88-toy-lead-soldier-m116?ref=market
Don...

 

[Mackaydon]

Adding some history.........
"Manoil was one of the major makers of lead toy soliders in the 1930s through 1950s. The company was founded by Maurice Manoil and his brother Jack Manoil. The sculptor for Manoil was Walter Baetz. The company was founded in 1935. The first series oftoy soldiers produced by Manoil were numbered from M1 through M128. Production was curtailed during WWII due to metal rationing but Manoil resumed production after the war was over. As plastics entered the market Manoil lost market share and went out of business in 1959."
Source: http://www.planetdiecast.com/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=category&category_id=244
Don....

 

[sutphin]

HE IS A OLD SOLDIER WITH A TRANSMITTER BOX ON HIS BACK USING A MINE SWEEPER SEARCHING FOR FINDS BUT HAS MISPLACED THE SHAFT AND COIL. I KNOW DONT SAY IT.....

 

[2Minnesota]

Thank you Mac! More good info/history. He is pretty cool and between him and the log dogs those were some pretty cool finds on this outing. We found two junk rings as well but they are "junk"!