About W. Britain

W. Britain is the original toy soldier maker — founded in 1893 in London, the brand effectively created the modern hobby. Today's figures are produced in 1/30 (60mm) scale, matte-painted, with the historical research and sculpting that have kept W. Britain the reference brand for over a century.

The catalog covers more historical eras than almost any other current maker: Ancient Rome, Medieval Knights, the French & Indian War, the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, the Anglo-Zulu War, both World Wars, and Vietnam. The Museum Collection adds named historical individuals — Washington, Lincoln, Tubman, Joan of Arc, Churchill, and others — across the same time span.

Breagans is an authorized W. Britain retailer. Browse the collections below by era, by series, or by figure type.

Collectors value W. Britain figures for their craftsmanship, historical accuracy, and connection to the long tradition of classic toy soldier collecting.

Browse all 2,000+ W. Britain figures in our complete catalog →

Popular W. Britain Toy Soldier Collections

• American Revolution Toy Soldiers

• American Civil War Toy Soldiers

• World War I Toy Soldiers

• World War II Toy Soldiers

Shop W. Britain Toy Soldier Collections

Why Collect W. Britain Toy Soldiers?

W. Britain is the oldest continuously-running toy soldier company in the world. The London firm founded by William Britain Jr. in 1893 invented the hollow-cast lead figure and effectively created the toy soldier collectibles market as it exists today. Modern W. Britain — now produced in 1/30 (60mm) scale with matte-painted detail — is a direct continuation of that lineage, and it remains the brand most serious collectors start with and stay with.

What sets W. Britain apart is the combination of historical research and catalog breadth. The uniforms are accurate, the sculpting holds up under close inspection, and the range covers more eras than almost any other modern maker — Ancient Rome, Medieval Knights, the French & Indian War, the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, the Zulu War, both World Wars, and Vietnam. Limited-edition releases and retired figures hold their value well, which matters if you are buying with an eye toward keeping or eventually selling the collection. The matte finish and 1/30 scale also make these the right pieces for anyone building dioramas or recreating specific historical scenes.

I'm an authorized retailer for W. Britain, which means everything in this section is sourced directly from the maker and shipped from their warehouse in Ohio. If you have questions about a specific figure, a retired piece you've been hunting for, or whether a limited edition is still available, email me — I can usually find out.

— Daniel