I have amended this post to show some of the classic 1960’s-1970s metal and plastic crossbowmen sculpted in that era. I will gradually add more classic crossbowmen over time.
Firstly two Hinton Hunts Great figures, each one individually posed.
On the right Charles Stadden, Geonese crossbowmen, based on a famous illustration. Below, two Lassets, again indivdually posed
Bottom right is a Courtenay Ping. Probably early 1970s and sold from Hummels, Burlington Arcade. Below again is another Stadden; an unarmoured figure, I’ve never seen this figure in any catalogue but it is a Stadden.
Click on any image to enlarge
Next are four 15th century crossbowmen that were issued within chocolate Kinder Eggs in the 1980s. Around this time Kinder included a few sets of plastic 54mm multipart warriors. In my opinion these crossbowmen were the finest of these and one of the finest sets of plastic crossbowmen made, perhaps the Britain’s swoppet one might claim that title. Strangely crossbowmen bring the best out of toy soldier sculptors.
Below are both sides of the instructions that came with each one. Also a figure showing different coloured body element.
Kinder issued sets of four figures; each figure was composed of parts on different coloured sprues to ensure the whole fitted into the closed plastic egg; this in itself innovative. Each part was different in concept, so no part was duplicated any of the figures. Then there were different colours to collect. All in all a magnificent set of toy soldiers.
Here is the crossbowman from the famous Britains Swoppet range. Came in a few colour schemes. Next to it is the original soft plastic Elastolin crossbowman; the crossbow arm is moveable, from the soft plastic Bayeux tapestry 70mm range.
Jim's Vintage Toy Soldiers 