The British company ‘W. Britain’ was founded by William Britain Junior in 1893 after he invented the process of lead hollow casting. This process revolutionised the production of toys and soldiers and saw Britain become the world leader in toy production.
In 1907 William Britain & Sons, incorporated as Britains, Ltd. with the family controlling the firm until 1984 when it was sold to a British conglomerate, Dobson Park Industries.
In the 1950s, besides soldiers, a variety of vehicles began to appear, mostly in the military field. One such detailed diecast vehicle was this Artillery 18-in Heavy Howitzer cannon that fired toy shells. For a toy, it was intricately designed, with a special threaded post with rotating knob to raise and lower the cannon.
This Britains Artillery boxed 18-in Heavy Howitzer No.2, mounted on tractor wheels for field service, dark green finish, with ammunition and extra shells will be entered for Auction in our General Sale on Wednesday 21st August.
