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Know the name of the model you're looking
for? You can use this search engine to find every reference to that name
and/or phrase on this web site.
Welcome to
Identify Your
Breyer, the largest and most complete source of information on Breyer
model horses on the Internet. I’m glad you stopped by! There are
thousands of photos here to drool over and information on every Breyer
model known to exist, as well as information on Breyer
buttons,
tack, collectors’ manuals, and
their now-defunct Just About Horses
magazine. Breyer history junkies should be sure to check out the
Links page for reference goodies, and if you’re
looking to buy new models or sell your old collection you should
definitely start with my Buying and Selling
page. Oh, and there’s this section on How To Identify
Your Breyer Model that you might want to check out, too!
I have been collecting Breyer model horses since the 1970s, and in 2001
created “Identify Your Breyer” in order to better share this wonderful
hobby with others. The site is entirely free to use, with hosting costs
paid by advertising revenues and sales at my
Amazon Store. The information you’ll find here has been obtained
from many sources and is accurate to the
best of my knowledge.
Sadly, some people are using photos found on this site as their own
pictures, most frequently on auction websites like eBay and on YouTube.
This is wrong not only because you're using someone else's work without
permission, but also, in the case of eBay, because you are deceiving
your potential buyers by showing them a picture of something other than
what they're actually bidding on. Please note that I do NOT give
permission for anyone to use any of the photos found here for other
purposes--most are donated to me for the purpose of this site only
and aren't mine to loan out to anyone else. I will notify eBay, YouTube,
and any other host of your copyright infringement if I see you using
these photos, which may put your auction or your account in jeopardy.
It's dishonest, and it's just not worth it. Don't do it.
How to Identify Your Breyer Model
1.
In order to identify which Breyer
model you have, you'll first need to determine which
size
category it falls into. The categories listed above are how Breyer
classifies its molds, and that's how things are sorted here as well.
Measure from the table to the top of your model's ears to see where it
falls in the breakdown shown above, keeping in mind that the numbers
above are just approximations. These measurements indicate the
height of the average adult model; foals are correspondingly smaller in
each size category. If you've looked and can't find your model in one
size category, try the next one up or down.
2.
Next you'll have to determine which mold
Breyer used to create your horse. Breyer may re-use each mold many
times, depending on the popularity of the individual mold, varying the
color and other details with each release. You can figure out which mold
you have by going to the right size category (Traditional,
Classic, etc.) and looking at
the photos shown there. You're not looking for a color match, just for
the same shape. Sometimes Breyer will change the shape of the mane or
tail on a model, so don't rely on that. Look instead at the action the
model is taking (standing, trotting, etc.) and the general build
(stocky, slender like a racehorse, etc.). Clicking on a photo will show you that picture in larger
detail if you're not sure.
3.
Once you know what mold you have, figuring out what
model
you've got is easy! Clicking on the name of the mold (such as
Adios) will take you to the page for
that mold. On that page is a description and usually a photo of every
known model in that mold. Because they are painted by hand sometimes a
shade will vary between light and dark, but the general color and (most
of the time) the
number of or absence of things like stockings and facial markings
generally remain the same. See how easy that was?
I can't give you an estimate the value
of your model or your model horse collection, but there are many
resources out there that can help you determine its worth. Bear in mind
that a model's value is simply what someone else is willing to pay for
it, no matter what the price guide or sales list tells you one is going
for! A great deal depends on the condition of the model being sold, as well as
on the popularity of that particular model and its rarity. Your best bet
to find current values is to look at what the same model in a similar
condition is selling for on online auction houses like eBay or on one of
the many sales lists available on the Internet. More information on
these can be found on my
Buying and Selling page. Books like
Felicia Browell, Kelly Kesicki and Kelly Korber-Weimer's
Breyer Animal Collector's Guide, Fifth Edition are also very helpful,
though the book was last updated in 2007.
For More Information
The information contained in this site barely
scratches the surface, and is intended only to give basic information on
models released by Breyer. If you'd like more detailed descriptions of
individual releases or a history of the individual molds and models you
should check out Felicia Browell, Kelly Kesicki and Kelly Korber-Weimer's
Breyer Animal Collector's Guide, Fifth Edition and/or Nancy
Atkinson Young's
Breyer Molds and Models: Horses, Riders, & Animals, Revised Fifth Edition.
Felicia's book contains estimated values and color photos of just about
every Breyer model ever made, and Nancy's book is a
wonderful encyclopedia of all things Breyer. Both are out of print but can
usually be obtained through Amazon or through fellow collectors. Other books on the hobby are
also available through your local bookstore or
Amazon.com. No serious collector should be without at least one of these
terrific books!
I need your color photos to fill in gaps in
this catalog. Photos must have been taken or be owned by you--I
can't accept photos off of eBay or other sources without getting
permission from the owner. I will not sell, assign or give permission to
anyone else to publish in any medium the photos you donate to me for
this website. Donated photos should be in focus, offer one or
(preferably) both full side
views, and contain no tack (including halters) unless the tack came with the
model. The best photos will have a plain background rather than a natural or
stable scene. Scanned images should be at least 600 pixels (about 8") wide
and larger is wonderful. Be sure to include the model number
and/or model name, if you know it--that will save me a lot of time!
Photos should be
e-mailed to
me. Please be sure to tell me what name you'd like to be given
credit under.
One area where you may
notice that I'm incomplete is in one of a kind or very limited run models,
such as those given away as prizes or auctioned off at
BreyerFest. If you
know of a model that's
not listed here, please let me know!
This site last
updated
05/01/2013
We've
received
visitors since August 30, 2008!
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