The set was exhibited at the 1947 British Industries Fair,
but that was the first fair of its kind since before the war, so it was the
first time they got a proper 'outing' where they may be archived or noted, it's
certainly no measure of when they were first retailed and as they were exhibited
next to both wooden (another 'austerity' material) and metal (a post-war
lifting of rationing) toys, the inference that they were, or had war-time sales
is a fair one.
The Bristolian company has had a chequered history and was finally dissolved
in 1958; a victim of plastics; one feels? Existing as toy manufacturers from at
least 1914 (more restrictions and privations at the start!) under J. E. Ridingbery, his father may have
been in business since 1871, but possibly in general metal goods or
fabrication?
From the fact that the figures are tied-in it can be assumed they were a
'set', but with provision for one per-store/retailer to be opened as a
shelf/counter display item with a stack of un-opened retail-product nearby.
The figures seem to be straight copies of European (read; German . . .
the enemy - at the time!) probably Elastolin
or Lineol (my War Toys books are buried
in the garage!), or one of the makers who ended-up in the 'East', but made in
the lighter material presented by a form of volcanic ash.
Links - Graces Guide; https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Ridingbery_and_Co
Many thanks to Adrian Little at Mercator Trading
for letting me photograph these, new to Blog, new to Internet, relatively new to Hobby - I think JG Garrett mentioned them briefly?
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