The most widely collected toy soldiers of all time, and the ones about which I know most (but not all).

Britains production splits naturally into a number of periods

1893-1916. Ancient Britains - early production, with frequent model improvement

1918-1941. Mid war period - classic hollowcast production, introduction of civilian ranges

1945-1967. Post war hollowcast - hollowcast production ceases after triumph of plastic

1954 onward. Plastic toy soldier and civilian production

1948 onward. Die-cast Farm machinery

1973 onward. Die-cast toy soldier production

Recently - special sets for collectors, and collectable models