Alte Kameraden

This striking set of 70mm marching soldiers, each with rifles shouldered, was produced by Elastolin (Germany) between 1939 and 1941. The figures are clad in tunics with six-button detailing, capturing the precise military aesthetic of the era. To bring these composition figures to life, I’ve added a video created with PixVerse AI.

Elastolin national socialists 🗞️📰🗞️📰🗞️📰🗞️

The article from the Oberbergischer Bote (23 May 1938), a Nazi Party-affiliated newspaper, criticizes the commercialization and trivialization of National Socialist symbols through children's toys and consumer goods. It specifically targets the company Hausser, which produced Elastolin toy figures of Nazi leaders such as Hitler, Goebbels, and Göring. These figures, once detailed in the 1937 catalog—including controversial items like a "Blood Flag" bearer—were deemed offensive and labeled as national kitsch (nationalist tackiness). The article acknowledges that by 1938, the worst of these items had been removed from the catalog, but still disapproves of the general concept of turning National Socialist figures into toys. It frames this practice as profiteering and an insult to the dignity of the Nazi cause. The article further supports its stance by quoting a letter from a party member who disapproves of Nazi slogans appearing on products like coal briquettes during election campaigns. The author agrees, stating that not everything should be permissible in the name of propaganda or goodwill, and calls for public vigilance and rejection of such commercialization. In summary, the piece is a propaganda-driven denunciation of the commodification of Nazi imagery, appealing to party loyalty and public morality to curb what it sees as disrespectful and tasteless uses of political symbols.

Full text of this article in English is available here: 

Hausser/Elastolin Wooden Military Fort – Model 13492 (c.1935) 🇾🇪🇾🇪🇾🇪🏰🏰🏰

A rare and finely crafted example of pre-WWII German toy manufacturing, this wooden military fort is Model 13492 from the Hausser/Elastolin catalog, produced circa 1935. Designed with true-to-life detail, the fort features a square layout with Laufgraben (communication trenches), two tinplate flags, dual watch stands, and a rotating armored dome. It is also equipped with three gun barrels accommodating both kneeling and standing figures. Measuring approximately 36 x 27 x 17 cm, this model exemplifies the realism and craftsmanship typical of Elastolin's 1930s production. Rarely found in such complete condition today, it remains a sought-after piece among collectors of vintage composition soldiers.

WWI Brits by Durolin, Germany 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧💥💥💥

These two WWI British Army attacking toy soldiers were made by Durolin in 1930s Germany. I’ve also added a short video of the figures, created with PixVerse AI, to bring them to life. 

 

WW2 postcard - Kleiner Soldat mit Stahlhelm .🪖🪖🪖🗡️🗡️🗡️🇾🇪🇾🇪🇾🇪

Artist-signed postcard by Fr. Bertram issued during the WWII era. Caption: “The God who let iron grow did not want servants.”("Der Gott der Eisen wachsen ließ, der wollte keine Knechte"). Depicts a small child dressed as a soldier, wearing a steel helmet. The phrase is a patriotic line originally from the 19th-century German poem “Das Lied vom deutschen Vaterland” by Ernst Moritz Arndt, often used in nationalist contexts.

Durso Toy Soldiers: Tribute to the Chasseurs Ardennais 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪⛰️⛰️⛰️🌲🌲🌲

The Bataillon de Chasseurs Ardennais, formed in 1933, was tasked with defending Belgium’s Luxembourg Province and the Ardennes region. Renowned for their resistance during the German invasion in 1940, these troops became national symbols of courage. In the 1940s and 1950s, Belgian toymaker Durso, founded by Russian émigré Michel Klimov, produced finely crafted composition soldiers honoring Belgium’s military history. Among them is the figure 1177, showing two ambulance men carrying a wounded Chasseur Ardennais—a moving scene that reflects both bravery and compassion.

German WW 2 postcard "Steh ich in finstrer MItternacht" 🌙🌛🌝🌚

Postcard - Children's motif - Military - "I'm in dark midnight" - 1930/40.