Prepared to assist collectors to establish the differences 40th Anniversary between the original Action Man Blues & Royals uniform Pailtoy Original of the 1970s (perhaps c.£200 in value) from the 40th Anniversary re-issue of 2006 (value c.£40)
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THE BLUES & ROYALS COMPARISON NOTES
PALItoy ACtIoN MAN (1971) 40tH ANNIVERSARy (2006) THE BLUES Original Palitoy 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK HELMET STRAP
1971 2006
Intricate elastic Note lack of detail strap on chip strap elastic THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK HELMET MOULDING
1971 2006
Helmet seam a little more obvious than 40th
Note lack of patina and highly polished surface.
General remarks: General remarks: Both helmets have off center 40th helmet looks much newer Queens crown in relation to badge. and not easy to dull it to look Externally only seam is cruder on original. original. THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK INSIDE HELMET
1971 2006
Note large moulding circles More pronounced internal seam join divot
Note dulled reflective surfaces THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK HELMET BOSS
1971 2006
Less detail on boss as if cast from original THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK GLOVES
1971 2006
Cruder turns on gloves could just be this example
Yellow discolouration to gauntlet THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK GLOVES
1971 2006
Hessian type backing to material Smooth inner THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK SWORD
1971 2006
Moulding circle
Blade slightly more curved THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK SCABBARD INSIDE
1971 2006
Larger rectangular Smaller hole takes hole to allow straighter sword. for entry or Note no chrome greater radius paint to inside curved blade THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK SWORD
1971 2006
rounded end Pointed end to to ‘delta’ ‘delta’
General remarks: Very close but detailing of delta shape is more pointed on 40th THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK BELT
1971 2006 Large split ring
Note very small Tidy glue joins split ring
Press soldered joins
More pronounced raised margin
General remarks: General remarks: Plastic more than likely to have Brighter white and more supple aged and be yellower and feel and shiny harder to the touch THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK BELT
1971 2006
Leather surface texture
Smooth texture
Slightly more warm coloured gold
General remarks: General remarks: Plastic more than likely to have Brighter white and more supple aged and be yellower and feel and shiny harder to touch THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK POWDER BOX STRAP
1971 2006
Thinner red Thicker red thread thread
Golds a warmer Golds have slightly colour and aged look - beware look newer
General remarks: Very similar THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK POWDER BOX STRAP END
1971 2006
Original has circular injection moulding mark (and one further up near buckle
Shorter tip section
General remarks: Very similar THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK POWDER BOX
1971 2006
Golds a Golds have slightly warmer aged look - beware colour and look newer
General remarks: General remarks: Perhaps the closest match and Black plastic more consistent and hardest to distinguish newer looking. THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK TUNIC
1971 2006
Original separate Printed direct badging detail onto surfaces applied THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK TUNIC
1971 2006
Original separate Printed direct badging detail onto surfaces applied THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK TUNIC
1971 2006
Buttons with turned over spikes (detail of inside of tunic) Buttons stuck on THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK WATERLOO SLEEVE BADGE
1971 2006
Left arm Waterloo Waterloo badge badge with turn stuck on over spikes
Detail of inside of tunic THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK RIDING BREECHES
1971 2006
Yellow More likely purer discolouration white than original, most likely but still off white.
Original elastic shown. However 40th four-cord may have had elastic more ‘new’ elastic like pronounced ribs the 40th type
General remarks: General remarks: Feels very stiff and nylon Feels cotton and very soft to touch THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK SPURS AND BOOTS
1971 2006
Buckle has Buckle has no tongue detail tongue
General remarks: General remarks: Original boots feel supple and have 40th boot I studied had hole in boot top patina from the cotton used to attach to packing card. THE BLUES Pailtoy Original 40th Anniversary & ROYALS
.CO.UK SPURS
1971 2006
Spur boss like a ‘slot head Boss has screw’ spree snap off damage like an ‘eye’
General remarks: Spur gold strap similar to helmet differences