Barclay Toy Soldiers

Barclay Manufacturing Company was established in West Hoboken, New Jersey in 1924. It became the biggest toy soldier producer in the United States of America in the late 1930’s. The company produced 500, 00 foot soldiers on a monthly basis in its heyday.
Before World War I, these miniatures were manufactured by hand casting and die casting. These were known as the short stride and long stride soldiers. The long stride soldiers appeared more realistic than the short stride miniatures. These lead toy soldiers were also unique since they were sold at Five and Dime stores. It was this practice that earned for the product the popular nickname, dime store soldiers.
The company ceased production at the outbreak of the First World War. It reopened after the war and continued its tradition of manufacturing toy soldiers by hand casting. At this point, Frank Krupp designed for them the lead toy soldiers with tin helmets that are separated from the bodies. This tedious procedure was later abandoned. Cast helmets were then designed to replace Krupp’s design.

When plastic toy soldiers became popular, Barclay still continued producing the now famous lead soldiers. Nevertheless, the rising cost of metal further forced the company to change the helmet on their soldiers with M1 helmets. The bases on the soldiers were also eliminated and these models became known as pod foot soldiers.
These toy soldiers were painted in olive drab with green helmets, imitating the uniform of the US army at that time. On the other hand, the enemy soldiers wore red uniforms and white helmets. The products were also removed from the dime stores and were then distributed through hobby shops.
The 1960’s was a catastrophic time for toy manufacturers. Many companies closed but Barclay managed to continue operation. However, in 1971, Barclay ceased production. Unable to compete with plastics as well as the fast changing market trend, the company eventually ceased operation. It was revived when the company’s trademark was bought in 1990. At present, Barclay is in full operation again.
The company boasts of over three generations of experience in lead soldier manufacturing. It has kept the tradition of producing the miniatures entirely by hand and using its old and tested methods. The company’s craftsmen can be relied upon in making the molds, handcrafting and painting the final coat of these beloved toys.
Barclay is now producing a number of toy lead soldier designs. The Dime store Doughboys are lead soldiers and sailors which take after those that were originally sold in major dime store chains like Woolworth, Grant and Kresge of yesteryears. There are also the Large Scale Figures that measures 3” tall that matches the Standard and G Gauge trains. The largest and most varied line is called the Pee Wee league. It is composed of more than 450 designs that go well with Lionel O gauge and American flyer S gauge trains. The Midi figures averages 2 1/4 “tall and are reminiscent of the Britains lead toy soldiers. Collecting these toy soldiers can be a lot of fun. What is truly amazing is that the Barclay tradition has proudly survived the test of time.

 


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