Elastolin - Army French Horn Player Marching

The Elastolin figure of a marching French horn player of the Wehrmacht represents a fascinating example of German toy and collector figure production in the 20th century. Standing 7 cm tall, this figure belongs to the classic size of Elastolin composition figures manufactured between the 1920s and the end of World War II.

The Elastolin Company and O&M Hausser

The Elastolin brand was created by the company O&M Hausser in Ludwigsburg, Württemberg. Brothers Otto and Max Hausser founded the company and developed an innovative material called “Elastolin” around 1904, a composite mass made from casein, chalk, glycerin, and other additives. This elastic material was more break-resistant than traditional lead or tin and allowed for more detailed modeling. The figures were formed over wire armatures, which gave them additional stability.

Military Music in the Wehrmacht

The depicted French horn player embodies an important aspect of military life: military music. In the German Wehrmacht, music corps played a significant ceremonial and practical role. The French horn was a standard instrument in the military bands of various service branches. Each regiment typically had its own music corps, deployed at parades, official occasions, and for troop entertainment.

The Army music corps usually consisted of 35 to 50 musicians and included various brass and woodwind instruments as well as percussion. The musicians' uniforms generally corresponded to those of their service branch, with special insignia and often Schwalbennester (winged cords) on the shoulders identifying them as musicians.

Collector and Toy Aspects

During the interwar period and World War II, Elastolin and competing firms like Lineol produced extensive series of military figures. These served both as children's toys and collector's items. The Wehrmacht series encompassed all service branches, ranks, and activities—from marching infantry to tank crews, musicians, and staff personnel.

The figures were manufactured in various quality grades and sizes. The 7-cm figures, approximately 1:25 scale, were particularly popular and formed the core of the product range. They were hand-painted, with coloring corresponding to actual uniform regulations. The field-gray uniform of the Wehrmacht, the characteristic steel helmets, and equipment items were reproduced with remarkable attention to detail.

Historical Context and Production

The production of military toys was a significant economic sector in Germany until 1945. During World War II, production was increasingly restricted as materials and labor were needed for the war economy. Nevertheless, figures were manufactured into the final war years, sometimes also for propaganda purposes.

After 1945, the production of military toys became controversial. O&M Hausser continued figure production but increasingly turned to civilian themes. Wehrmacht figures became sought-after collector's items.

Condition Assessment and Collector Value

The stated condition grade 2 corresponds to the grading system common in collector circles, where condition 1 means mint and condition 5 means heavily damaged. Condition 2 denotes a well-preserved figure with light signs of use, possibly minimal paint chips, but no major damage. This is a very good state of preservation for figures of this age.

Collector and Research Significance

Today, Elastolin figures are important cultural-historical documents. They show not only the toy culture of their time but also how military reality and propaganda entered everyday life and children's rooms. For uniform researchers, they provide detailed information about uniforms and equipment. Museums and private collectors preserve these figures as testimonies to the social and cultural history of the 20th century.

These figures represent a complex intersection of childhood play, industrial manufacturing, historical documentation, and the militarization of society. They serve as tangible reminders of a particular era in German and European history, offering insights into how military culture was normalized and transmitted through everyday objects.