"100 years of playing with toy soldiers" Topic

Okay……..I have three armies, French, Russian & Austrian. I decided I rather expand the variety of my existing armies rather than try and take the time of building a new one, I.E the Prussians.
My question, to use all my collation battalions now, I need some more French. As many of you would hopefully agree with me, part of the appeal and fun of this period is all the cool, colorful uniforms, thus I love lots of variety. Besides French I have a Polish & Swiss brigades. I want to add another infantry brigade or two that has some new and different colors.
Any suggestions? Some units that used yellows, black or greys or some other combo would be great. I am not concerned if the unit actually fought just if it historically could have(it was in the area during the time) that is good enough. I assume my best option is gonna be some german allies but may be there is a French unit without the normal blue and red? Suggestions?

Thanks, Travis

Not sure if any one will find this of interest, but---. In 1917 my Grandfather decided a good way to bring in a little extra income and show his support for the US war effort in WWI, was to make and sell toy soldiers. He casted and painted the figures, while my Grandmother made tents and packaged the figures. The figures were about 35mm semi flat Doughboys and Germans. These were packaged in sets and sold through a local hardware store. He continued marketing his figures for a number of years, but finally stopped as home duties began to take more of his time.
In the 1930s my Dad had an accident that damaged his right hand. His doctor suggested that he take up painting as a therapy for his had. Well my Dad gave it a try, he dug out a set of Britains he had from his childhood days and repainted them. This led to his purchasing more figures and painting them. He continued collecting and painting figures a massing a collection of 50,000 figures.
Then it came to me, of course growing up in a house filled with toys soldiers I would play with them (usually resulting in my Dad's displeasure). In 1957 I played my first "war-game". Using my Dad's Britains and a copy of "Little Wars" my brother and I fought for control of our dinning room. It has been a steady down hill journey since then, to the point that I too how have a home filled with toy soldiers and old military stuff.

AICUSV, that is a great story, thanks for sharing it. What was your grand father's company, did it have a name?

Great story! Would love to see some your granddad's minis

And another thank you here, AICUSV!

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

Excellent story AICUSV. Are you ever planning on having a Toy Solider open house?

Toy Soldier Open House? Heck, my house is the eternal construction site.