Vintage W. Britains Toy Soldiers – Netherlands Infantry, an interesting set from 1939

In the year 1939, with the shadow of war descending on Great Britain and the Empire, W. Britains produced three set of toy soldiers ironically using a combination of two previously issued sets. They were Set No. 432 German Infantry with Steel Helmets (the bodies) and Set No. 1435 Italian Infantry with Steel Helmets (the heads), two of the major protagonists in the war that would shortly occur.

The three sets, in order of rarity were Set No. 1837 Argentine Infantry with Steel Helmets (Con Casco, the most rare), Set No. 1850 Netherlands Infantry with Steel Helmets, and Set No. 1856 Polish Infantry with Steel Helmets. Further irony can be seen in the fact that Poland and the Netherlands were among the first nations to succumb to the German ‘blitzkrieg’, and Argentina remained sympathetic to the Nazi cause.

Although not quite as rare as the Argentine set, the Netherlands Infantry remained unlisted in any W. Britains catalog, making it somewhat unique. Recently I was successful in bidding on a set of the Netherlands Infantry, boxed and in near mint condition. The only ‘blemish’ was the beginning of a touch of ‘lead rot’ on the very top of one of the rifleman’s helmets. Needless to say this was very quickly and carefully arrested. The low humidity of the Arizona climate is beneficial to certain ailments of toy soldiers as well as human beings. Not necessarily the ‘holy grail’, however the set is by far the rarest set in my collection (James Opie rarity index of 92 out of 100 on a logarithmic scale). For purposes of comparison also shown are two views of a museum mannequin in the authentic uniform and equipment of the Dutch Army circa 1939. Note that Britains did take 'slight' liberty in replicating the actual shape of the helmet, but the color of the grey, and correctness in the balance of the uniform are fairly accurate.


The final irony is that they represent an army that albeit briefly and unsuccessfully engaged German troops, four years before the ‘Red Devils’ had another go at them in Arnhem and Oosterbeek. (Click on the image to enlarge, and you can zoom in to actual size.)

W. Britains Set No. 1850 Netherlands Infantry
Steel Helmets Slope Arms circa 1939

Netherlands Army
Infantry Service Dress circa 1939 

Netherlands Army
Infantry Service Dress circa 1939
(back view)

A vintage photograph of the Royal Netherlands Army Bicycle
Band circa probable mid 1930's (wearing M34 helmets)

As an interesting adjunct, appearing at the 2011 Edinburgh Military Tattoo was the Royal Netherlands Army Bicycle Band (Fanfarekorps Koninklijke Landmacht Bereden Wapens), dressed in the identical 1940 Service Dress Uniforms. It is certainly challenging enough to play a musical instrument while mounted on horseback, but try playing a bass tuba while riding in formation on a bicycle. Needless to say their performance was one of the most unique and popular of each performance.