Several months ago we showed you sets done for a company called Own Figures. Those two sets were 1900 Japanese and Boxer Revolution Chinese. Now a third set has surfaced WW2 China nationalists army of Chiang Kai-shek. The figures represent Chinese soldiers from the 88th Division. The above photo had been posted by our friend Mathias on the Treefrog forum. We contact our friend to see if I could post the photo. Mathias referred me to Andrey who owns the figures and was selling them. I had contacted Andrey before in regards to the other Own figures. He had gotten these samples from a source in China.
I contacted Andrey and he was kind enough to give me permission to show the figures on my web site. Andrey also sent me additional photos of the box and how the figures were shipped. As you can see in the pictures below the figures were placed in a bag and you would have to glue pieces together.
A photo of the top of the box
A picture of the side of the box showing the name Own Figures.
How the figures were packaged
A close up of the bag of WWII Chinese figures.
Andrey has the figures for sale and you can go to the link below to order them from his web site.
http://www.toysoldiers.spb.ru/toysoldiers/1stpage.htm
The questions still remaining are who is or was Own Figures, why they were not sold and if the molds still exist.
Interesting. Hopefully the molds exist and one of the plastics Toy Soldier companies can purchase them. They look like we’ll sculpted figures and maybe the Japs and Boxers match with AIP. The WW2 Chinese with 21st Century Chinese.
Interesting, never knew for sure, but I thought Chiang Kaishek was supplied by the Americans, these guys look like they were supplied by the Germans. Live and learn I guess.
Hello everybody
Tchang Kai Chek turned to germany in 1927.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88th_Division_(National_Revolutionary_Army)
Some of the attitudes really make me thinks to the ACW Conte. What do you think? Same chinese sculptor?
Best regards from France
I think Conte was interested in the boxer rebellion, the movie 55? Days in Peking. But to do Japanese troops 1st instead of Americans is strange and I don’t think Conte has interest in WW2 Chinese so it’s probably a Chinese company.
Hi Tom
Yes Conte was interested in doing a 55 Days in Peking playset, but nothing was done beyond the proposal. The figures are from a different company. It is a mystery why this company did these figures.
Hello Mathias
I have checked a source and confirmed that Conte never used any Chinese sculptors. The Civil War figures were done by three or four different Americans. Ortiz and Ken Osen did the best ones of the series.
Oups, sorry…
Thanks a lot Stad.
I just wish they would change whatever material they use so the weapons don’t look like they just came out of a Pretzel factory.
I agree. I hate when figure’s weapons bend.
But, of course, Marx figures had the same problem, as exemplified by their Civil War figures. All the TSSD figures (again, particularly their Civil War figures) have wildly curving long rifle barrels. The CTS Civil War figures also all arrive with the same problem. Actually, the only manufacturer who seemed to solve the problem was Conte — witnessed by his long speared Spartans, every one of whom had a long plastic spear which was as straight as an arrow, even though quite pliable.
I think Conte’s Spartan spears were nylon, his earlier Saxons and Vikings had some curvy spears too. The TSSD stuff wil straighten out pretty good with the boiling water and cold water bit though. I just tried it out on the big Swede’s curvy ramrod and it worked out fine.
It would not surprise me if these were test runs , as it’s been said in limited supply . Also a date of 2001 or so is linked to them , so are these from that time , or just more recently run being the reasons we have not seen around . But at $94-$102 pre set ! , Best I can do is have the pictures , can’t justify the cost .
They are some nice looking figures, but that’s a lot of cash. How many figures do you get for that price? What is the guy in the bottom row second from right holding?
Hand grenades wrapped around one handle.
you get what you see , 1 ea of the figures , no more , $90+
I guess someone would really have to want these particular guys to pay that price. Granted no one else has ever done these particular figures before so I guess they fill a niche.
The only other figure in plastic of a Qui Min Tang Soldier was made as an egg cup holder and is based on the Deetail Japanese officer
Hello Peter,
you have a nice set of Chinese nationalists made by 21st Century Toys.
regards from France.
Matthias, the ‘attitudes’ we call ‘poses’.
I think some poses are merely modified CONTE’ or TSSD.
Your WIKI link is perfect. These are 88th Chinese, valiant fighters all … honor the Chinese Patriots! (not too sure the current regime would approve of Chiang Kai-shek. )
‘
pEEgEE
http://ww2pts.blogspot.com/2011/10/introducing-chinese-infantry.html?showComment=1379613042724#c6418620569871155446
Roosevelt and Churchill nicknamed him ‘Cash my Check’
US Sailors called him “Chancre Jack”.