British soldier "old Bill" ?

[martin guerre]

Hi Guys what is you feeling about this figure ?
Someone said me it was on WWI British trucs? is it right ?
It is made of bronce and it's really heavy.
Thanks for your time and knowledge
Cheers,
Martin

[martin guerre]

cvc

[martin guerre]

ww

[ROBB]

It looks good but they are seriously reproduced . However I dont think the repo merchants are using bronze so thats a good sign . Rob

[seebee1]

Yours looks to be an original Martin, as mentioned these have been copied, in fact I think I have one somewhere or other. Not sure they were ever intended to be fitted to a vehicle though, more like an ornament. Regards, Clive.

[byterock]

Original of what though??

http://www.olebill.zoomshare.com/5.shtml/METALWARE%20

Check out the above site for more details.


Yes they where used as hood ornaments during the war at least until they where seen by any officer type. Old Bill was not the sort of character that the Upper ups in the Army liked to see.


The pity is once he went bankrupt in 1928 the character was copied by everyone as Bairnsfather could not afford to protect his trademark character.

In the end it was the Yanks that used him in WWII.

[martin guerre]

Thank you very much guys ....It came directly from an old house.
An original one for sure
More pictures..
Any idea about the value ?
Thanks again,
Martin [/B]

[martin guerre]

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[martin guerre]

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[martin guerre]

no idea about the value
Cheers,
Martin

[seebee1]

Not at all sure about value Martin, guess it would be over £100 though. I will attach images of my example, although it has a copyright stamp and number, I am fairly sure it is of recent manufacture. Regards, Clive.

[seebee1]

Another item with Old Bill, this is painted on a Helmet Shell, clearly of recent times, but a neat display item. Regards, Clive.

[martin guerre]

Thank you Clive for all the info and thanks to share your items
Not really my area of collecting and don't want to keep him but it's nice to find one original "old Bill"
Perhaps it will return to England who know
Cheers,
Martin.

[martin guerre]

one more

[seebee1]

Unfortunately Martin I do not know anything about the copyright stampings, obviously they have significance. Attached an image of the markings on my example. Regards, Clive.