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Luke Skywalker Jedi Knight- Kenner Star Wars 1983 blue saber snap cape.

by From My collectionidentifying repro star wars items.UncategorizedVintage Kenner Pix of figures or variations

There are more than 20 variants of Luke Jedi. There are 5 COO variant marks They include  Hong Kong, Made in Hong Kong, Made In Taiwan, and no coo. There are variants of both the body and  the head. There are both painted hair and molded hair variants. Most elusive is the snap cape ad blue saber.

Luke Jedi 65A card back found with a - blue saber with snap cape.

Most common are Taiwan figures. These figures only cane with a green saber- the lighter green and a lighter grey palace blaster. The Taiwan for the most part are later releases.

Luke Jedi form a 65A back card. MIHK marked coo

Recently I was digging through a collection I had purchased. The owner had the original card backs bubbles and weapons etc. He was confident the figures matched up with the card backs correctly. I too was pretty confident they all matched up.

The Luke Jedi, shown here, had a snap cape – and a blue saber. It makes sense as the 65A card back would be the earliest issue. Research shows they also shipped with a green saber, the darker green. As well as the regular cape. There is also Taiwan version with a snap cape, It was on a 77bk card and shipped with a lighter green saber and lighter grey palace blaster. See all the variants and more in my guide. Starwarsfigurevariations.com its an easy pdf e-book download.

 

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The Taiwan Blaster – close up look

by From My collectionidentifying repro star wars items.UncategorizedVintage Kenner Pix of figures or variationsWeapons

If you have ever sorted thru hundreds of Blasters you will know there are several variations. Known as the Version 1-7 as a standard form of ID. Some, such as the Correct Blaster for Boba Feet with a TAIWAN COO. are unique. Its known as a V-5. But in appearance and when sorting thru a pile it can be difficult to ID as a V-4 is nearly similar.

Boba Fett Taiwan Blaster bottom

On the top is the V-4 – solid black, but can be found in many variations bluish green and somewhat transparent, to black to grey. Below is the correct Blaster for the Boba Fest Taiwan figure . Note the angle of, and the pattern on the handle. The Taiwan blaster has a much more defined triangular pattern on the grip. Note the distinct larger and blockier to the side and bottom cartridge. Note the tip and bottom of the barrel more distinct angle- the circle is farther down and the tip is more angular. Both are found in solid black plastic. I’ve found the best way to really make sure you have the correct one is take a photo and compare –

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Star Wars Vintage Kenner figures with more than one date of manufacture how many are there ?

by From My collectionidentifying repro star wars items.UncategorizedVintage Kenner Pix of figures or variations

The Vintage Kenner toy line spanned 8 years from 1977 to 1985. The figures with 1977 dates hit the store shelves for the 1978 Christmas season. Over the years there have been a few figure that actually carry more than one date of manufacture on them.

The first is the original R2-D2- which can be found with both a 1977, and a few with 1978, although the latter is very rare.

R2-D2 Coo markings-

This is likely the result of a a result of the mold for R5-D4, which also can be found with both a 1977 and 1978 date. The R5-D4 is most often found with a 1978, although he can be found with a no coo and a MIHK 1977 mark.

R5-D4 Coo markings

Lando Skiff Guard can be found with a 1982 and 1983 date. the 1982 only it appears on any Made in Mexico Lili Ledy figures. The 1982 is much more valuable here in the USA.

Lando Skiff Guard Coo comparisons.

The last figure to be found with two dates is Barada. which has a 1984 that is very rare and issued it appears mostly in Europe, and 1985. The 1985 is common can be found on both baggie figures as well as card back figures.

Barada Coo date marks

There are numerous other figures that have no date, or no coo, or a date /coo that has been cut off. There are hundreds of Coo mark variations , all which I show in my guide. So to answer the question 4. But wait there’s more…

1995 a collectors box set was releases with a vintage style Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and Han solo, They resemble the original figs, but are a new mold. These are dated 1995 and made in China.

Classic Edition 4 pack 1995

The more recent Retro collection has added to the mix a whole slew of newer dated figures so be aware. It’s always good to look over the legs and the butt…. of your action figures…. You people…

happy collecting

Retro Collection just a few…
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Reproduction R2-D2 Card back – what to look for on reproduction card backs.

by News and other Star Wars collecting stuffVintage Kenner Pix of figures or variations

How to identify a reproduction Kenner 12 back Star Wars card back – some tips and what to look for.

repro 12 back R2-D2 card.

Reproduction card backs are becoming more prevalent on the market. Some dubious sellers are trying to sell them as new. Here are some tips and what to look for.

-Hanger location – Correct location and cut on the right should be centered above the T also note the color of the repro card back a lighter gray card.

repro left orignal right.

-Bubble- Its pretty obvious here the repro bubble on the left . note size and edges.

repro left. original right

-Fonts- the price font is incorrect – the number font is also incorrect. Ages 4 and up incorrect font when compared to the original .

original left repro right

Blister seal on bubble- should have a pebbled look to card

Color of card and sheen are different on repro cards. they are flatter less glossy and smoother in finish .

The figures on tases cards are most likely authentic, although it is hard to say with our close inspection all the accessories are. Beware of Fakes. Happy collecting.

Princess Leia 12 back – reproduction card back left original right.
12 back reproduction card back left original right

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R2-D2 COO Sticker variations

by From My collectionVintage Kenner Pix of figures or variations

Take a close look at your R2-D2  stickers did you know there are variations of the sticker itself.  Some which  specific to the particular COO mark.

R2 has become a much harder figure  to get in excellent condition in  the recent years and you should always make sure your sticker is not a reproduction.  See more info in my guide on Star Wars action figure variations.

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Gold Limited Edition Stormtrooper- umm.. Nope ..

by News and other Star Wars collecting stuffUncategorizedVintage Kenner Pix of figures or variations

Recently A collector sent over these images asking if they are authentic. A Rare Gold Limited Edition Stormtrooper.  Sorry  collectors this is about as fake a custom as you can get.  It is obviously  a gold painted stormtrooper on a reproduction cardback with a  repro bubble.  Note the awful footer as well. It is obvious from the font it is a reproduction card back. This figure was never released in the 1977-1984 era.   It likely originated in Europe where  repro  bubbles and card backs are prevalent .

If you like customs  it is another one to add to your collection, but buyer beware,  it has little value and is not a legitimate Kenner release.

Images provided.