WWI Lead Soldiers

WWI Lead Soldiers

I normally don't buy toys, but thought these would look good with my WWI Trench art. From what the seller told me, these are originals, not reproductions.

Three of the Doughboys are carrying rifles. The rifle would be a Model 1903 Springfield . 30 caliber rifle and bayonet along with the Model 1911 Colt . 45 caliber pistol.

The fourth Doughboy is manning a machine gun. By the looks of it, probably the M1917 Browning machine gun that was introduced towards the end of the war.

WWI (Jul 28, 1914 – Nov 11, 1918)
"On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson went before a joint session of Congress to request a declaration of war against Germany. ... Germany's resumption of submarine attacks on passenger and merchant ships in 1917 became the primary motivation behind Wilson's decision."

DOUGHBOYS?
"Continental Army soldiers kept the piping on their uniforms white through the application of clay. When the troops got rained on the clay on their uniforms turned into “doughy blobs"".

M1917 BROWNING MACHINE GUN
Designed by John M. Browning in 1917, this popular machine gun was used in WW1, WWII, Vietnam, Korea and many other places. Even today, an updated version is still used by the military.

WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN.. TOY SOLDIER
"Found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 2500 BC, these diminutive soldiers were probably made for ritual purposes rather than as toys."

WAR TIME
"Early figurines were made from wood, porcelain and silver. Initially, these were crafted for generals and monarchs to be used during war-strategy meetings."

ONLY THE RICH
"In the 18th century, advances in production saw toy soldiers made from tin, lead and composite. Primarily, they were designed for affluent members of society as they could afford hand-made products with fine detailing."

***Links for further reading in comments