The Grey Iron Company started producing it's first toy soldiers in 1917, and is still in business today. As the name implies, Grey Iron is an iron foundry, and all of their toys have been made of iron. Their first series of soldiers were the Greyklipt Armies, produced from 1917 to 1942. These figures are somewhat flat looking. In 1933 they added 3" & 3-1/4" figures to their line for the dimestore market. These figures are painted in typical colors of the day, and include some really wonderful action poses. Most of the dimestore figures were produced prior to 1942, though they have continued to be produced in small quantities until the present. In 1940 they added the American family series of 2-1/4" figures produced in themed sets. The themes include At the Farm, At the Ranch, At the Beach, Travels, and At Home. I like Grey Irons' dimestore and American Family figures. They have a charm to them, and I just plain like iron figures.