Timpo

Lore & Background

Timpo Toys Ltd. was created in 1938 by Salomon 'Sally' Gawrylovitz, a Jewish refugee from Germany. The company began as Toy Importers Company, known as TIMPO, and initially manufactured toys from wood, bakelite and composition until the end of World War II. After the war, Timpo shifted to hollowcast metal toy soldiers, and from 1954 began producing soldiers in plastic.

The core product range consisted of the American frontier series and the Knight series. The American frontier series included Cowboys, Native Americans, the 7th Cavalry Regiment, Union Army, Confederate States Army, and Mexican series. The Knight series encompassed Crusaders, Medieval Knights, Vizor Knights, Gold Knights, Silver Knights, and Black Knights. Other series included Romans, Vikings, Arabs, French Foreign Legions, American Revolutionary War, Inuit, World War II, Farm, and Guard series. Some series, such as the Cowboy series, were developed over four generations.

The firm ceased operations in 1978.

Reader's Guide

Timpo's significance lies in its long production run from 1938 to 1978, spanning multiple materials and manufacturing techniques. The company's toy soldiers, especially the American frontier and Knight series, were produced in multiple generations, reflecting evolving design and production methods. The Crusader figures, for example, featured replica swords, reins, and horse blankets. Timpo's range was broad, covering historical and thematic subjects from Romans and Vikings to World War II and farm life. The company's founder, a Jewish refugee from Germany, established the business as Toy Importers Company before transitioning to manufacturing. Timpo's legacy is preserved in collector interest and documentation such as the Plastic Warrior Special on Timpo. The company's figures remain examples of mid-20th-century British toy soldier production.

Did You Know?

• Timpo was originally named Toy Importers Company, abbreviated as TIMPO.
• The company's founder, Salomon Gawrylovitz, was also known as Ally Gee.
• Timpo produced four generations of Cowboy series figures.
• The Crusader series figures had replica swords, reins, and horse blankets.