When I was a nipper I adored the ceremonial military uniforms Palitoy issued for Action Man.
These included the Grenadier Guard with the big furry busby but more especially the Royal Life Guard.
One of the attractions of this uniform was the beautiful plastic sword and scabbard which came with it.
I was sort of obsessed with swords as a kid and Palitoy's sabre was a no-brainer.
Much later when I started going to toy fairs I was intrigued to see a carded accessory set allover the place, which contained the very same sword and the breastplate I love so much as a little Life Guard.
Looking into it I discovered it to be a 40th Anniversary issue by Modellers Loft. In fact its still available as a new item on their website!
I am still unsure if it's a re-issue of a Palitoy carded set or whether Modellers Loft have issued something new. Do you know readers?
This is the vacuum-packed carded set:
Seeing it I remember savouring the word cuirass as a kid. What a fabulously exotic word! It describes the front and back plates together. The front is commonly known as the breastplate. Another older word for this is the plackart.
The other figures I had which enjoyed a good cuirass were those wonderful plastic knights released by Marx.
Life size toy armour can still be found on the shelves of toy stores and museum shops. How terrific to dress up as a knight!
Did you like toy swords and cuirasses readers?
The Guards wear Bearskins, the Royal Horse Artillery wear Busbys.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terran.
DeleteThe 40th Anniversary was a reproduction range based on original 60s, 70s and early 80s Action Man figures, outfits and equipment, Woodsy. It was aimed at the adult collectors market. Perhaps it was a cost effective way to reconnect with childhood nostalgia at a fraction of the cost of genuine vintage items. Opinions amongst collectors was, and still is, very divided. Some love it, some loathe it! Each to their own I guess.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the ceremonial sets. I do have some original Horse Guards items, including tunic, breast plate armour and helmet, amongst the stuff I've collected over the years :)
Thanks for the insights Tone. You are an action figure amongst men! I found some bits years ago too but flogged 'em. Doh! Wish I'd kept 'em now!
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