Vintage Republican Chinese Cast Brass Toy Soldiers

circa 1920s-1940s, being an assembled army of over 200 figures with three pieces of supporting artillery and an airplane; included are: 38 marching infantrymen; 11 buglers; nine drummers; five standard bearers (one lacking flag); six observers with binoculars; five soldiers presenting arms; two officers with pistols; six men saluting; nine machine gunners; 19 kneeling riflemen; 17 reclining shooters; 17 standing riflemen; 12 charging infantrymen; three standing riflemen at ease; 16 walking soldiers; seven walking swordsmen; 14 charging swordsmen; 13 small mounted troopers; four large mounted troopers; several caisson horses and artillerists; seven unrelated small brass animal figures.The underside of some bases is marked either China or Made in China.
Average soldier 2.25 in.; total weight approximately 23 lbs.
The consignor, an American born in Shanghai, lived in China as a child before WWII and had a similar set of soldiers. The grouping offered here is of the period, however it was carefully acquired piece by piece in later years. Pre-war Chinese Republican cast brass "army men" are quite scarce today, especially in such numbers and variety as appearing here.
A private North Carolina collection

Additional high-resolution photos are available at LelandLittle.com

A few of the figures have bent or missing weapons; one soldier is detached from its base; the airplane seems to be lacking parts.