Elastolin - World War I Prussian Soldier Kneeling in Firing Position

The Elastolin figure of a kneeling Prussian soldier in firing position from the First World War era represents a fascinating testament to German toy culture and military commemorative culture of the early 20th century. This approximately 10-centimeter figure was manufactured by O. & M. Hausser in Ludwigsburg, which became world-famous under the brand name Elastolin.

The Hausser company began producing toy soldiers around 1904 using an innovative material called Elastolin, a composite of casein, chalk, glycerin, and other additives modeled onto wire frames. This material proved more durable than traditional tin figures and allowed for more detailed, realistic representations. The figures were hand-painted and displayed uniforms and equipment with remarkable accuracy.

The depicted Prussian soldier in kneeling firing position embodies a typical combat stance of the First World War (1914-1918). This pose was common both in trench warfare and field operations. The Prussian army formed the backbone of the German Empire, and its uniforms and equipment were largely standardized throughout the Reich. The soldier likely wears the characteristic field uniform Model 1907/10 in field grey, which replaced the earlier Prussian blue from 1910 onward.

The production of such figures served multiple purposes. During the war and in the immediate post-war period, they were both toys for children and collectibles for adults. They fulfilled an important function in conveying military values and patriotic sentiments. Families used these figures to transform the reality of war into a controllable, playful form while their sons and fathers fought at the front.

The quality and condition of these figures vary considerably. The stated condition grade 2- corresponds in the collector's world to a very good to good condition with minimal signs of use. This is remarkable for an object over a century old that was originally designed as a toy. Typical signs of aging may include minor paint chips, minimal cracks in the material, or slight deformations.

After the First World War, Elastolin continued production and expanded its range to include figures from various epochs and nations. During the Weimar Republic (1919-1933), military toy figures remained popular, even though Germany was severely restricted militarily by the Treaty of Versailles. The figures served as reminders of the military past and as expressions of a persistent military spirit in parts of society.

During the Nazi period, the company was enlisted to produce propaganda figures, which makes the historical evaluation of these objects complex. After World War II, production was initially discontinued but later resumed with different focuses. Historical Elastolin figures from the First World War era are today regarded as important cultural-historical documents that provide insight into the history of mentalities, toy production, and military commemorative culture.

For collectors and military historians, these figures are significant for several reasons: they document uniform history with often astonishing accuracy, demonstrate the production techniques of the toy industry, and reflect societal militarization. The kneeling firing position of this particular figure was one of the most common poses in the Elastolin series and allowed children to recreate realistic combat scenes.

Today, such figures are traded at auctions and in specialist shops, with value depending on condition, rarity, and historical significance. They are found in museum collections worldwide, including the German Historical Museum in Berlin and specialized toy museums. As material witnesses of a bygone era, they contribute to understanding how war and military were present in everyday culture and how subsequent generations were informed about this past.

The cultural significance of these objects extends beyond their function as toys. They represent a tangible connection to the experiences, values, and aesthetics of early 20th-century Germany, offering researchers and enthusiasts alike a window into how warfare was conceptualized, romanticized, and transmitted through material culture to younger generations.