Manoil Figures
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Barclay Toy Figures
Manoil Manufacturing Company was founded in Manhattan in the late 1920s and began toy soldier production in 1935-1936. The earliest figures are known for their “hollow base” design, which features a concave base. These figures are renown for appearing unrealistically robust; later figures would appear more realistic (O’Brien believes that M62-M71 are “the most authentic-looking American combat soldiers ever produced. Everything about them suggest that they are deep in the middle of war.”). By 1940, Manoil figures were in such demand that they company had to move to a larger production facility. Production lasted until April 1, 1942. Unlike many other manufacturers, Manoil was not able to develop any defense contracts; post-War production continued though not with the vigor or popularity that the company experienced pre-War.
Manoil figures are highly prized by collectors for their distinctive sculpts and interesting array of figures.
Source: O’Brien, R. (1997). Collecting American-made toy soldiers: Identification and Value Guide. Florence, AL: Books Americana.
Each of the following pages will display approximately 10 images.
M1 7 Flag Bearer - M10 10 Officer
M11 10 Bugler - M20 12 Machine Gunner
M31 18 Cowboy - M40 23 Machine Gunner
M41 23 Machine Gunner - M50 27 Tommy gunner
M51 28 Observer - M60 34 Aviator
M61 35 Hostess - M70 44 Crawling scout
M71 44 Crawling scout with gun - M80 51 Motorized machine gunner
M81 52 Motorcycle rider - M90 60 Cook’s helper with ladle
M91 60 Cook’s helper with ladle - M100 68 Boxing Soldier
M101 77 Lineman and telephone pole - M110 83 Soldier trench mortar
M111 84 Soldier with shell - M120 791 Soldier with barbed wire
M121 92 Firefighter - M128 102 Soldier jumping with machine gun