Composition Toy Soldiers Appraisal

Vintage Elastolin Composition Naval Toy Soldiers

A pair of vintage German toy soldiers manufactured by O. & M. Hausser under the brand name Elastolin. These figures are constructed from 'composition,' a mixture of sawdust, casein glue, and kaolin, molded over a wire armature and hand-painted. The soldiers appear to represent naval infantry or marines from the early 20th century, specifically the WWI to interwar period. One figure is wearing a peaked cap while the other wears a distinctive white tropical or pith-style helmet, both dressed in dark navy blue uniforms with white gauntlets or leggings and carrying rifles on their shoulders. Physically, each figure stands approximately 7cm to 7.5cm tall on a characteristic oval composition base. The condition shows visible age, including significant paint wear and surface abrasions, particularly on the highlight areas like the hands and hats. A notable crack or structural weakness is visible near the ankles of the figure on the right, which is a common issue with composition material as the wire internal support can rust and cause the material to swell and crack over time. The craftsmanship is typical of high-quality mid-century German production, with expressive faces and detailed uniform molded details. These figures are highly collectible examples of German militaria toys from the 1930s-1940s.