Britains Ltd Malayan Tapir - Lead VS Plastic

Yesterday I was visiting the city where I'm going to live. I was walking past some shops when I found a shop that's selling vintage toys; including some animal figurines! One of my purchases was this Britains Ltd lead Malayan tapir. And I was fortuntaly enough to already own the plastic one. Here some comparison pictures.


If something's wrong about my information or you know anything else about them, please let me know!

Interesting :)

Julie, very nice comparison. Britains lead tapir was introduced in 1931 and withdrawn in 1959.

Britains lead Zoo started in 1929 and the Britains plastic Zoo range came out in 1960.

Thanks, Andreas and Chris!

Chris Sweetman wrote:

Britains lead tapir was introduced in 1931 and withdrawn in 1959.

Britains lead Zoo started in 1929 and the Britains plastic Zoo range came out in 1960.

Thank you so much for this information; it's very helpful!

That was indeed a fantstic find

They are both beautyful, - the lead one is awesome

SUSANNE wrote:

That was indeed a fantstic find

They are both beautyful, - the lead one is awesome

Thanks, Susanne And yes they are! I was very surprised when I found this one, for you don't see a lot of tapirs around. I didn't know what brand it was at first, because I had no idea Britains made a plastic and lead tapir from the same model. So it was even more interesting for me when I found out they did!

I'm..... how.... *smiles* I seriously believe you have a nose for them
These are great! I didn't even knew there where metal animals from them

NightLioness wrote:

I'm..... how.... *smiles* I seriously believe you have a nose for them
These are great! I didn't even knew there where metal animals from them

Hehe, thanks
No, I didn't either! I thought all the Britains figurines were plastic xD

Julie, Britains have an interesting history and in 1893 William Britain introduced his famous hollow cast metal soldiers. These hollow cast metal soldiers lasted until the mid 1960’s. However, due to British toy safety legislation in 1961 hollow cast models were not allowed for sale in Britain due to their lead content but were exported to other countries where this law didn’t exist.

Chris Sweetman wrote:

Julie, Britains have an interesting history and in 1893 William Britain introduced his famous hollow cast metal soldiers. These hollow cast metal soldiers lasted until the mid 1960’s. However, due to British toy safety legislation in 1961 hollow cast models were not allowed for sale in Britain due to their lead content but were exported to other countries where this law didn’t exist.

Thanks Chris, very interesting I find it really fascinating that such an old brand is still in production. Imagine all the toys they made so far..

You haven't moved yet and you're already finding some little treasures in that new city!
I have a single lead Britains with two humps. Now you have also a lead Britains and it is painted and all.
Not long ago, the collector of tapirs of this forum was asking me if the lead one was an older version of the plastic figure and you just opened a topic comparing them.
I love these topics comparing different generations of toys.

Great topic about great models: Father and son, I love both

Roger wrote:

You haven't moved yet and you're already finding some little treasures in that new city!

Yes, I think I have a nose for it

Roger wrote:

Not long ago, the collector of tapirs of this forum was asking me if the lead one was an older version of the plastic figure and you just opened a topic comparing them.

Ah, it's great that my topic is helpful to the members here on the forum!

Roger wrote:

I love these topics comparing different generations of toys.

I always find them most helpful, especially when you're looking for one of more of the compared figurines. I'm happy I could contribute to it

Kikimalou wrote:

Great topic about great models: Father and son, I love both

Thanks, Christophe

They are both beautiful, congratulations

LeeAnn wrote:

They are both beautiful, congratulations

Thank you, LeeAnn

According to the information here:
http://www.thetoybox.4t.com/britainsplasticreference.html
there are two versions of the plastic tapir. Does anyone know whether that is correct? I have two tapirs and one seems quite old (it has a lighter kind of plastic) while I think the other is more recent (I have it in a box with other animals, which was produced in the early 80s). The white patch on their backs is painted slightly differently, but I don't see any difference in the moulds.

Hi Roger

As far as I am aware there is no difference in the sculpt of either plastic versions. As you have mentioned the earlier plastic is lighter than the PVC used from 1968. There will be variations on the amount and pattern of white painted on the model as this is applied by hand.

Hope this helps.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. So 1968 is the year. That's very useful for dating the animals.

rogerpgvg wrote:

Thanks, Chris. So 1968 is the year. That's very useful for dating the animals.

Hi Roger

Just to note that Britains were using PVC before 1968 for other items in their ranges. But 1968 was the year when they decided to use PVC for their zoo and farm animal series. Also 1968 was the pinnacle of Britains production and from 1969 the cull began with many items being withdrawn starting from that year.

If you only want one Britains catalogue I would recommend getting the 1968 one.

Chris

I'll look out for the 1968 catalogue. I just found one on Ebay, but it's £75! There is also a DVD with all catalogues from the late 60s, which is a bit cheaper. I read that you have all Britains catalogues from the early 60s. Aren't you tempted to make some money out of your hobby and sell scans of your catalogues as a DVD?