O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin)
79 years in operation (1904–1983)
About O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin)
Hausser pioneered the composite 'Elastolin' material (sawdust, kaolin, glue) figure. Their highly detailed figures of soldiers, cowboys, Native Americans, and animals were beautifully painted and more detailed than contemporary lead figures. Elastolin remains popular with military miniature collectors.
Founding
The brothers Otto and Max Hausser, who established the firm near Stuttgart in 1904 and gave their composition material the trade name Elastolin.
History of O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin)
Elastolin is the material and Hausser is the maker, and between them they dominated the German figure trade with Lineol. The composition — sawdust, glue, kaolin and fillers pressed over a wire armature and hand-painted — allowed sculptural quality and expressive posing that lead casting could not match, and Hausser's painting was consistently excellent.
The range was enormous: farm and zoo animals, circus figures, civilians, cowboys and Indians, knights, Romans, and extensive military ranges. The 1930s German military production, like Lineol's, was made in a period of active militarisation of childhood and includes personality figures and Nazi-insignia pieces which are legally restricted in several European countries and should be researched before purchase or shipment.
Hausser survived the war and continued, moving from composition to plastic in the postwar decades — the hard-plastic Elastolin knights, Romans and western figures of the 1950s to 1970s are excellent and are a substantial collecting field in their own right. The firm closed in 1983.
Timeline
- 1904Otto and Max Hausser establish the firm near Stuttgart
- 1912The Elastolin composition material is in established use
- 1930Farm, circus, western and military composition ranges are at their fullest extent
- 1936Military production expands greatly under the Nazi regime
- 1955Hard-plastic figures progressively replace composition
- 1983The company closes
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Elastolin German army soldiers
- Elastolin Cowboys & Indians set
- Elastolin farm animal figures
- Elastolin circus animals
- Elastolin Roman soldiers
Identifying & Dating O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) Toys
- Look for "ELASTOLIN" and often "Hausser" impressed underfoot or on the base, sometimes with a scale marking such as 7cm or 10cm.
- Composition figures reveal a granular grey-brown interior at any chip; plastic figures are marked moulded rather than impressed.
- Scale markings are the practical way to sort a mixed collection, since Hausser worked in several sizes across decades.
Collector's Notes
- Composition is hygroscopic and cracks along the wire armature as it absorbs and releases moisture. Stable, dry storage is the single most important condition factor, and existing cracks will continue to open.
- Original paint is the value driver and repainting is common. Look inside folds, under bases and behind raised arms where a repainter would not reach.
- Postwar hard-plastic Elastolin is durable, well sculpted and comparatively affordable — a good entry into the range. Check for the correct removable weapons and accessories, which are routinely missing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) founded?
O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) was founded in 1904, based in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Is O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) still in business?
No. O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) ceased operations in 1983, after 79 years in business.
What is O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) best known for?
O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) is best known for Elastolin German army soldiers, Elastolin Cowboys & Indians set, Elastolin farm animal figures, among other toys.
Where was O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) located?
O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) was based in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
What kinds of toys did O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) make?
O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) is categorized under figures, soldiers, wooden toys.
Who founded O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin)?
The brothers Otto and Max Hausser, who established the firm near Stuttgart in 1904 and gave their composition material the trade name Elastolin.
How can you identify genuine O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) toys?
Look for "ELASTOLIN" and often "Hausser" impressed underfoot or on the base, sometimes with a scale marking such as 7cm or 10cm. Composition figures reveal a granular grey-brown interior at any chip; plastic figures are marked moulded rather than impressed. Scale markings are the practical way to sort a mixed collection, since Hausser worked in several sizes across decades.
Are O. & M. Hausser (Elastolin) toys valuable?
Composition is hygroscopic and cracks along the wire armature as it absorbs and releases moisture. Stable, dry storage is the single most important condition factor, and existing cracks will continue to open. Original paint is the value driver and repainting is common. Look inside folds, under bases and behind raised arms where a repainter would not reach. Postwar hard-plastic Elastolin is durable, well sculpted and comparatively affordable — a good entry into the range. Check for the correct removable weapons and accessories, which are routinely missing.