As kids we all got Christmas presents and the thing I wanted most every year was a “set.” Over the years I probably got five or six of them. Each set consisted of a number of toy soldiers, some sort of structure (a fort or castle for example), and usually several special figures.
Three sets come particularly to mind; Rin Tin Tin and Fort Apache, World War II soldiers, and dinosaurs.
The Fort Apache playset had a stockade with a couple of buildings, guard towers, landscaping accessories like a well, lots of cavalry men and Indians, and special castings of Rusty, Rinty, Lt. Rip Masters and Sergeant O’Hara. I would set this up in our sandpile and play for hours and hours.
Another set I got was a World War II soldiers. This must’ve been the European theater. Current research shows me that there was a Pacific theater too, but I didn’t have that one.
A third set was of dinosaurs. I’m sure this set must have contributed greatly to the names of the species I know.
It looks like Marx was the major manufacturer for most of these sets.
COOL! Amazing you still have them!
Look at all those dragging dinosaur tails! Although, come to think of it they dragged for a good part of my childhood too.
Jeff Kragskow wrote:
> COOL! Amazing you still have them!
Well….. I don’t really. You can find a picture of just about anything on the internet. These ARE the ones I did have however.
Butch
So… these go on that ever-growing list of things you WISH you still had…a reason to stay out of antique shops! (Some of the old cooking tools fall in that same category.)
You were about 2 years old . You and Judy and your Mum were in England for Christmas. Your Mum and I wanted to go to early morning Church and so as you didnt go down and see the tree before we got back you were given a branch set in MUD with sweet decotations to keep you amused with your Grandmother in her bed . Guess how much of the MUD went into the bed ??? !!!
I had this exact same set (the dino set)! There’s not a single piece left in my possession. Also had a Civil War set, and some sort of Alaska Gold Rush set with tin storefronts, old coot prospectors that all looked like Gabby Hayes, and Eskimos in kayaks. Of course, I look like Gabby Hayes now, too.