Britains Herald Swoppets Price Guide

In the December issue of Collectors Gazette, we've got the second part of our history of Britains Swoppets - the plastic figures that "swop and swivel". Swoppets were introduced in the 1950s as an alternative to lead soldiers, which had a tendency to get chipped and damaged while used in imaginary warfare. The first figures included colourful cowboys, before Britains moved on to 15th century knights, Native Americans to fight the cowboys and American Civil War soldiers.

Swoppets were particularly unique because they were designed so that body parts could be popped off and swapped with other figures, giving children a huge range of alternative poses for their figures. They were extremely successful throughout the 1950s and '60s but towards the 1970s, Britains began to experiment with much cheaper manufacturers in Hong Kong and, sadly, the early 1970s saw the Swoppets range replaced by the new Deetail series and Herald Knights.

If you would like to read more about Swoppets, then make sure you buy the December issue of Collectors Gazette, which is in stores from 15th November or you can order your copy online. In the meantime, check our auction round-up below, to see some of the prices achieved for Swoppets at Vectis Auctions.

Swoppets 15th Century Knights Series (1959/60 First Issue), Model No' H1452 (two-piece trade box - utilised to transport mounted figures to retailers for use in sales displays etc thereby saving on the provision of the expensive "Tent" type individual retail boxes). Containing two Mounted Knights (Lancastrian and Yorkist on black and brown horses) Attacking with Sword, includes one example with the rare issue red reins/plumes combination (upon inspection these appear to be genuine Britains colour variants). Both figures have Herald Swoppet Leg Tags. Sold for £520, Vectis, July.

Swoppets 15th Century Knights Series (1959/60 first issue), Model No' H1451 (two piece trade box), containing two Mounted Knights (Lancastrian and Yorkist on Black Horses) Charging with Lance (unusually the lance tips have been painted), includes one example with the horse's nose plate unpainted and complete with the rare issue yellow reins/lance combination (upon close inspection these appear to be genuine Britains colour variants). Both figures have Herald Swoppet Leg Tags. Sold for £540, Vectis, July.

Swoppets 15th Century Knights Series (1959/60 first issue), Model No' H1450 (two piece trade box), containing two Mounted Knights (Lancastrian and Yorkist on black and brown horses) with standard (unusually the lance tips have been painted), includes one example with extremely rare issue dark green reins/plumes combination (upon close inspection these appear to be genuine Britains colour variants). Both figures have Herald Swoppet Leg Tags. Sold for £500, Vectis, July.

Britains Swoppets second (1966) Issue, Set 639 - Cowboy Knife Fighter Mounted complete with Britains Swoppet leg tag. Mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent second issue black/orange set box. Sold for £30, Vectis, July.

Britains Swoppets second (1966) issue, Set 637 - Cowboy on Guard Mounted complete with Britains Swoppet leg tag. Mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent second issue black/orange set box. Sold for £30, Vectis, July.

Britains Swoppets second (1966) issue, Set 636 - Cowboy with Lasso Mounted complete with Britains Swoppet leg tag. Mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent 2nd issue black/orange set box. Sold for £30, Vectis, July.

Herald Swoppets first (1959) issues, Set 531 - Indian Chief with Spear Mounted now containing: H534 - Indian with Bow & Arrow Mounted complete with Herald Swoppet leg tag. Mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent first issue black/green set box. Sold for £45, Vectis, July.

Herald Swoppets first (1958) issues, Set H634 - Cowboy (orange shirt) Firing Rifle Mounted complete with Herald Swoppet leg tag. Near mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent first issue black/red set box. Sold for £45, Vectis, July.

Herald Swoppets first (1958) issues, Set H634 - Cowboy (blue shirt) Firing Rifle Mounted complete with Herald Swoppet leg tag. Near mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent first issue black/red set box. Sold for £45, Vectis, July.

Herald Swoppets first (1958) issues, Set H633 - Cowboy Firing Twin Guns Mounted complete with Herald Swoppet leg tag. Near mint, contained (still factory tissue wrapped when catalogued) in a generally excellent first issue black/red set box. Sold for £45, Vectis, July.

Herald Swoppet Cowboys Set 7620 (1958), two mounted and two foot cowboys in various action poses. Excellent, contained in a fair to good (replaced end flap and old repairs). Cerise/Black window box with illustrated insert. Sold for £70, Vectis, July.

Britains Swoppets 15th Century Knights (1963 version), No' 1450 Mounted Knight with Standard, mounted on a white rearing horse. Complete with a red caparison (plain strap type). Mint, contained in a near mint (minor corner creasing to cellophane) second issue (blue/yellow) Pavilion-type window box (factory seal still intact) with Herald logo to bottom RH corner. Sold for £50, Vectis, July.

Britains Swoppets 15th Century Knights (1963 version), No' 1450 Mounted Knight with Standard, mounted on a brown rearing horse. This example is complete with a yellow caparison (plain strap type). Mint, contained in a near mint (minor corner creasing to cellophane) second issue (cerise/yellow) Pavilion-type window box (factory seal still intact) with Herald logo to bottom RH corner. Sold for £50, Vectis, July.

Britains Swoppets 15th Century Knights (1963 version), No' 1453 Mounted Knight Defending with Lance, mounted on a white rearing horse. This example is complete with a purple caparison (blanket type). Mint, contained in a mint second issue (blue/yellow) Pavilion-type window box (factory seal intact) with Herald logo to bottom RH corner. Sold for £70, Vectis, July.

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