The Siege of Sebastopol
HISTORY
Probably made in Germany by an unknown manufacturer, c:1860
It was featured in Old Toy Soldier, Vol.24, No.2.
Eco (medieval castle with lake)
HISTORY
Made by Eco Spielwaren GMBH in Neumarkt, Germany c:1970.
This toy fort is typical of those being produced using the vacuum forming technology emerging from the mid-1960s onwards. It is not known how long they stayed in production. Eco's products are often confused with those made about the same time by O & M Hausser under their trade name Elastolin. This particular model contains a variety of buildings and spaces somewhat in the nature of a fortified settlement, and is ideal for use with 25-40mm figures. It has a fully operating drawbridge over a moat / lake which was designed to contain water, thus providing great play value.
Burnett Ltd : UBILDA 30/60
HISTORY
Made by Burnett Ltd, London c:1934
BON DUFOUR chateau deserted lake
HISTORY
Made by Bon Dufour, in France probably about 1910.
This is a one of the largest of Bon Dufour's extensive range of aforts in a box'. While no factory catalogue is available, Bon Dufour forts appear in several produced by les grands magazins, mostly in Paris, between 1900 and 1914. A Bon Dufour fort is also featured on page 50 in the book "L'Age d'Or des Jouets" by Jac Remise and Jean Fondin. It is not known how long they remained in production, but examples from between the wars exist.
MOKO big grey Snow Castle No: 42189
HISTORY
Produced by Moses Kohnstam, in Olbernhau, Germany probably just before or just after the First World War.
BINBAK 2nd series medieval fort
HISTORY
Made by Binbak Models in Bradford, UK c:1960.
Binbak Models, later Binns Baker & Co, operated in the north of England from 1946 to 1991. They specialised in a range of robust medium sized one-piece wooden buildings of various types (dolls houses, garages, farms - and toy forts). Their medieval range of toy forts was designed in a naturalistic style with an integral well-constructed area of landscaping at the front - usually featuring a lake of some sort. Over the years the design evolved and five series can be identified. This one is of the second series.
