In Pictures: History buff shows off impressive military collection
Clients who visit Daniel Tiffin, principal at Global Demographics Consulting Group, may come to get advice on where to invest, but many stay for the view: Along with his toy soldier infantry, the entrepreneur keeps an arsenal of weapons, authentic regimental uniforms and a collection of other military miscellany that he says some would value at $1.5-million.
Daniel Tiffin is the principal at Global Demographics Consulting Group, a private research and forecasting company that uses demographics to predict economic trends. In this photo he models an Elven war helmet inspired by the Lord of the Rings film trilogyJordana Divon
Clients who visit Mr. Tiffin's office in Richmond, Ont. may come to get advice on where to invest, but many stay for the view: Along with his toy soldier infantry, Mr. Tiffin keeps an arsenal of weapons, authentic regimental uniforms and a collection of other military miscellany that he says some would value at $1.5-millionJordana Divon
A five-year stint with the Royal Canadian Navy straight out of high school took him through Vietnam. This photo of Mr. Tiffin taken in the early 70s during his tour of Vietnam as a peacekeeper with the Armed Forces of Canada
When he returned home to Windsor, Ont., the newly minted veteran found himself drawn once again to his former passion of collecting those first soldiersJordana Divon
A happy client gave Mr. Tiffin this $2,000 replica of a Schnellboot, a torpedo boat used by the Germans during World War II, back in 2009 after he made an 80% rate of return on an investmentJordana Divon
A replica of the HMS Victory war ship best known for its role in the Battle of Trafalgar.Jordana Divon
A toy soldier reenactment of Pickett’s Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Tiffin has painstakingly recreated dozens of famous battles using thousands of lead toy soldiersJordana Divon/Getty Images
Mr. Tiffin keeps an arsenal of assorted swords and steel weaponry in front of his office desk. Toy soldiers can range in size from 25 mm to 60 mm, but in some popular manufacturing depots, like Germany, they can measure up to 75 mm and higherJordana Divon
Mr. Tiffin models a Gladiator helmet in front of a Scots Guard regimental drum and bugle used during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953Jordana Divon
A Roman Centurion helmet. Soldiers received Centurion status once commanded 100 menJordana Divon
A Roman gladiator helmet and suit of armor replicaJordana Divon
A Scots Guard coat, regimental drum and bugle used during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953Jordana Divon
A scene from Ancient Egypt depicting King Ramses on a chariot. Mr. Tiffin paid $130 for the Ramses figurine and estimates it’s now worth $300Jordana Divon
Mr. Tiffin keeps an arsenal of assorted swords and steel weaponry in front of his office desk.Jordana Divon
A replica of a Crusader uniform as seen in the 2005 film Kingdom of HeavenJordana Divon
An authentic Japanese samurai helmet and swordJordana Divon
The striking red coats of the British Army’s Coldstream Guards. These are the famous coats worn by the soldiers that guard Buckingham PalaceJordana Divon
Another toy soldier tableau, this one of English King Edward III during the Battle of CrecyJordana Divon
A lead toy soldier depicting Henry V during the Battle of Agincourt. Mr. Tiffin buys most of his figurines from Russian toy soldier manufacturer Saint Petersburg. This particular model is worth $750.Jordana Divon