Zinn Compositions Figuren Fabrik

Zinn Compositions Figuren Fabrik, trading publicly as Ernst Heinrichsen - Zinnfiguren, is a German manufacturer of tin figures (Zinnfiguren) based in Nürnberg. The workshop was founded on 6 September 1839, when Ernst Carl Peter Heinrichsen received a licence from the Nürnberg city magistrate to cast leaden children's toys from so-called Rose's fast-flowing metal. It is one of the oldest surviving tin-figure workshops in Germany and remains a family business, currently run by the sixth generation of the Heinrichsen family, which has been present again on the collector market since 1981. The company is best known for its extensive archive of original moulds. Between 1839 and 1938, three generations of the Heinrichsen family — Ernst, Wilhelm and Ernst Wilhelm — created a stock of roughly 16,000 moulds for tin figures, about half of them made after 1900 for "culture-historical" 30mm figures. Almost all of these moulds, together with the complete company archive, survived the wars and remain available to the firm today. This archive allows the workshop to reissue historical series and to supply collectors with figures that date back to the 19th century. Ernst Heinrichsen - Zinnfiguren sells its figures primarily to collectors and enthusiasts, both directly and at specialist fairs. The company attends the Internationale Zinnfigurenbörse in Kulmbach, a major gathering for tin-figure collectors, and offers pre-orders for the fair. Its product programme includes new releases as well as reissues from historical moulds, with series covering themes such as the Napoleonic era, the Crimean War, and German colonial campaigns. Figures are typically produced in 30mm scale, with some 40mm series also available. The business is a small, privately held workshop rather than an industrial conglomerate. Its operations are centred on Nürnberg, where it maintains a postal address and contact point. The website provides catalogues, order forms and newsletters for collectors, and the firm continues to release new figures and reissues, with a spring 2026 list of available series and preparations for the 30th Internationale Zinnfigurenbörse in Kulmbach (7–9 August 2026).

The history of Zinn Compositions Figuren Fabrik, known as the Zinnfiguren-Offizin Ernst Heinrichsen, begins with Ernst Carl Peter Heinrichsen, born in Silesia in 1808. He trained there as a tin caster (Zinngießer) and, after completing his apprenticeship, went on his journeyman travels in 1822. He arrived in Nürnberg in 1826 or 1827 and initially worked for the tin caster Ammon, where he mainly produced slate moulds for tin figures. From 1832 he worked as an independent engraver, making steel dies for goldsmiths, tools for pressing knife handles and fruit baskets, and brass plates for bookbinders, as well as cutting signet rings. Although successful in this trade, he returned to his learned profession and on 6 September 1839 received a licence from the Nürnberg city magistrate to cast leaden children's toys from so-called Rose's fast-flowing metal. This date marks the founding of the workshop. Ernst Heinrichsen's son Wilhelm Heinrichsen was born in 1834 as the first child. Less artistically inclined than his father but with a sure commercial sense, he took over the business in 1869 and led it to its economic peak. Under Ernst Heinrichsen, the firm had mainly produced flat tin figures; under Wilhelm, the range expanded and the company became a major supplier. The third generation, Ernst Wilhelm Heinrichsen, continued the tradition. Between 1839 and 1938, these three generations created a stock of approximately 16,000 moulds for tin figures, about half of them after 1900 for "culture-historical" 30mm figures. The company archive, including almost all moulds and complete business records, survived the wars, a circumstance the firm describes as a particularly fortunate one. After the Second World War and the upheavals of the 20th century, the business continued in family hands. Since 1981, the sixth generation of the Heinrichsen family has been present again on the collector market. The workshop has maintained its base in Nürnberg and continues to produce and sell tin figures, with a focus on reissues from the historical moulds and new releases. It regularly attends the Internationale Zinnfigurenbörse in Kulmbach, a key event for tin-figure collectors. In 2024 the Offizin celebrated its 185th anniversary, and in 2026 it prepared for the 30th edition of the Kulmbach fair, albeit with a reduced programme due to the age of the current operator.

• 2026

  The company prepares for the 30th Internationale Zinnfigurenbörse in Kulmbach (7–9 August).

• 2024

  On 6 September, the Offizin celebrates its 185th anniversary.

• 1981

  The sixth generation of the Heinrichsen family returns to the collector market.

• 1938

  By this year, three generations have created the mould stock of about 16,000 moulds.

• 1900

  About half of the approximately 16,000 moulds are created after this year for culture-historical 30mm figures.

• 1869

  Wilhelm Heinrichsen takes over the business and leads it to its economic peak.

• 1839

  On 6 September, Heinrichsen receives a licence to cast leaden children's toys, founding the workshop.

• 1832

  Heinrichsen works as an independent engraver.

• 1826

  Heinrichsen arrives in Nürnberg (1826 or 1827).

• 1822

  Heinrichsen begins his journeyman travels after apprenticeship.

• 1808

  Ernst Carl Peter Heinrichsen born in Silesia.

Traditional family-run tin-figure workshop specialising in historical 30mm flat figures and reissues from a preserved 19th-century mould archive, aimed at collectors.

• 30mm flat tin figures

  Culture-historical figures in 30mm scale, the core of the post-1900 production.

• 40mm tin figure series

  Larger-scale series mentioned in the new releases.

• Reissues from historical moulds

  Figures reissued from the preserved archive of about 16,000 original moulds.

• Napoleonic era 1/8 packs

  Series covering the Napoleonic epoch, offered in 1/8 packs.

• Crimean War battles

  Series depicting battles from the Crimean War.

• German East Africa battle

  Series depicting a battle in German East Africa.

1. 1Ernst Heinrichsen - Zinnfigurenheinrichsen.de
2. 2Ernst Heinrichsen - Zinnfiguren Firmengeschichteheinrichsen.de
3. 3Wikidata Q139250920wikidata.org