1930s Hausser-Elastolin Composition Zoo Animal: Moose

From pre-World War II Germany comes an authentic 1930s composition moose from Hausser-Elastolin. The entire zoo animal series (of which this moose is a member) by the German manufacturer O&M Hausser was made of a combination of sawdust, glue and chalk around a wire frame. The highly representative molds were fashioned after the wild animals in the Berlin Zoo. The moose is highly detailed with the utmost realism; thus, the figurine has been meticulously modeled and hand-painted to be as realistic as possible.

This beautifully rendered, majestic Elastolin moose is in good vintage condition. Due to age and usage, the moose does how some tight cracks in the composition on three legs, but the composition is over a heavy wire frame so the legs are quite secure. The base of the antlers has some paint loss and peeling. Note, however, that Hausser-Elastolin pieces are highly desirable and collectible. This zoo animal would make for a fantastic addition to any figurine collection, particularly one of rare historic pieces. It would also be ideal for a collector of vintage German pre-World War II products. Because of the delicacy of the item, this should not be purchased as a toy for children.

Elastolin is a trademark used by the German company O&M Hausser (O&M Haußer) for the toy soldiers and other types of figures it manufactured from composite material and later from plastic. The Hausser firm was founded in 1904 by Christian Hausser and his sons Otto and Max. The factory was situated in Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart.

The Hausser-Elastolin line of the 1930s was not limited to the military and paramilitary units of the time. There was also an extensive line of cowboys and Indians (the cowboys sometimes known as "trappers" in Germany), a shorter line of medieval knights and foot soldiers (Ritterfiguren), and a short line of Prussian and Austrian figures from the 18th-century wars of Frederick the Great (Friedrich der Grosse). There was also an extensive lines of wild animals (Menagerie-und-Jagdtiere) and farm animals (Haustiere).