BR49032 -- 1893 1st Life Guards Officer, W. Britain 120th Anniversary Piece

“The very first model issued by Britains in 1893, was a 52mm scale cavalryman, which collectors now call the Germanic Life Guard. It came with a plain cuirass in bare metal without a crossbelt painted onto it. The figure was fixed arm, and a tin sword was inserted into the right hand. In 1894 the officer on the rearing horse was introduced, and crossbelts were added. Only in 1897, with the introduction of the Jubilee souvenir set 72, was a new improved fixedarm figure with tin sword and moulded aiguillettes designed by William Britain Junior to replace the Germanic figure” – Extracted from the forthcoming book ‘The History and Handbook of Britains Toy Soldiers, by James Opie’

To commemorate our 120th anniversary W. Britain has authorized this special release of the 1893 1st Life Guards Officer and Trooper which are cast from the original, painted in the colors used at the time and then tied into classic W. Britain packaging with a hand drawn period label. Please note though that these figures are solid cast and will be clearly marked “2013” to avoid any confusion between old and new.

Scale 1:32 / 54mm