Conte Collectibles Romans Review Erwin Sell, as promised we have a review of the Conte Collectible Romans from Erwin. Not only that Erwin has done a comparison of the Conte Romans with other makers. I can not show all as he did 120 over-plus photos! You will have to go to Facebook for the rest.
Conte Collectibles Romans Review the review
Note-I will not compare shipping price as to be added to set price because those making and selling from Europe, Asia else need struggle with shipping cost that is out their hands.
While shipping by some could be a big issue in this case luckily Conte mail in from within direct in the states.
Conte set offers 8 main basic poses doubled per set with 5 poses that have to fix arms, 2 poses have one extra add-on arm and weapons and 1 pose has their two different extra add-on arm pairs. So automatically you got 11 poses without the need to buy more.
Conte Price, quality and amount figures per sets versus other makers/brands
What many people do not realize is that a single CONTE set you can do a variety of poses without the need buy extra sets such in case of EXF where they offer ” possibility” extra poses but that happen only unless you buy an extra set of the same as in one set you got only 9 basic poses not repeated or with not double poses per set.
Conte once again beats quality and quantity with price over others in the multi-variation poses option sets above all new makers.
If compare with LOD enterprise company ancient /classic figures sets with 16 figures in 8 basic solid poses for $27.00 a set or $1.69 each figure that made 0.50 cents less than CONTE figures that is a decent small saving but poses of LOD are fairly less dynamic poses in a more rigid human body anatomy proportion action posture and no possibility of easy extra poses as not made with extra arms, heads else on most sets. The same could be said about former TSSD Romans/barbarians sets.
Russian makers offer 6 to 7 max poses per set generally for at least $50.00 to $60.00 USD or $8.00 to $10.00 least per figure in most -A huge difference.
Here I see it as follows.
Conte does far better on amount poses selection poses, variety, and price per set versus expensive makers that made more exquisite figures poses rich in detail but in few poses per set and at a far higher price.
Conte still offers the same as described above with the same or better detail as these other makers for affordable better price versus others such Chintoy/EB offering more poses per set than other Russia makers and some repeated poses but in less dynamic poses and still high priced when compared to CONTE price per set and figures.
Various Comparisons
Conte Romans scale -Figures counting base are over 60 mm clearly by measuring the standing more straight pose at 64 mm high. The base is not level even but they range from 2 to 4 mm high terrain max. I cut off one figure from the base and it still measures 61 mm counting the roman legionary helmet that is not too high overhead as the figures depicted indicate. While reducing off 2-3 mm from the helmet that made it 57/58 mm average true figure scale. I use a scale electronic caliber measure ruler that gives the best measures in my hobby.
I had photographed a hundred other brand figures with Conte new Romans and will post many in my FB blog pages as not enough space here.
Ironical I notice that most classic, republic, empire eras roman soldiers made in the plastic non-HO range had not been done in the classic -54 mm range but rather in the 60 mm range or above. So, Conte Roman figures match and blend perfectly or close with most other Roman figures made as photos will show. Now remember bases must count as you do not take them off, but Conte bases are not flat, neither mini hill.
The plastic used by Conte is very standard modern offered in today’s market at an industrial level from China. It is dense, hard sturdy enough yet relative flexible and the hot/cold water process could fix the bending in weapons or bases easy. I will say it is very like the same used by LOD/TSSD today.
The colors used to my surprise are great; the metallic silver and bronze or gold are not bright gloss, neither the red making figures’ detail shows up particularly good to a simple look.
The plug-in parts do attach almost perfectly, you may need some minor adjusting pressure or very tiny cut any extra plastic very carefully, glue them is recommended.
The weapons that can be taken out or removed (Pilums) can add to the easy making of new poses as I did with two plastic standards from Marx in two poses making two new signifier poses easily looking alike those historically represented in the Arch of Constantine.
More Techincal Comments
I noticed the arms and heads may all had been done separated and attached glue at factory level production after figure cast off molds. This indicates they can be either taken off using hot-cold boiling water or cut off easily to do many conversions.
Overall scale among all above mentioned new makers brands are a bit off in some makers between each other but more likely in the new CONTE pioneering revival of older 60 mm range or close. It is good to point out some CONTE previews sets were made in the classic 54 mm range or close while others went a bit high and thicker. Yet is also always good to remember that not a single maker ever had made all sets the same scale match. From the late 40s till today all makers had done all scales over the place without a single perfect match in correlation production at all in any company. In fact, the first plastic, Bakelite, soft plastic, and hard rubber figures made by most US makers and most European were made nowhere near the 54 mm range but rather larger in most. Beton/Bergen, TM, MARX, Ajax, Auburn, Ideal, Jecsan, Starlux, Elastolin, Reamsa, etc all start with a 60 to 75 mm scale range and a few 40/45 mm as well . The best choice is to collect as much you like and can afford. Blend, match and play with alike as much you can, and do not be so picky or will never enjoy the hobby fully.
Overall, I give figures top qualification as follows. Qualification range 1 to 10,10 been the best
Product quality is great if we look there almost no excess plastic off molded and as the plastic used is particularly good quality for cutting, bending, playing else -10
Color used as depict show up detail extremely easy and great for the unpainted collector as well those painting -10
Scale is great as blend match almost perfect with most Roman figures made by others from vintage to new produced -10
Variety poses per set and poses choices -9. The reason has been the pose been mortally wounded falling back and the vexillifer have not many options to be converted in other unless work hard converting it. One set of 16 figures is perfect, if you get another set it will be too much to repeat it while the rest poses can be repeated many times more.
Amount poses and possibility made easier out the same per-set -10
Final Notes
Richard Conte had done once again the best he knows to do. Give hobby his best at better deal price and made many happy again.
We welcome his new set of figures and triumphant return back from the long hiatus because of his health problems and wish best from now till ever. To see all compare images I made see the post on my FB page, please
Thanks for a valuable and informative review. Definitely a great addition to the hobby. Love him or hate him – as you said, Conte knows how to make great toy soldiers.
Do they fit with TSSD? Sorry I got lost reading the above.
I have a photo with Csko which shows the difference between TSSD and Conte. I will be putting it up tomorrow as I am backup with other weather.
I post 36 extra photos with LOD,EXF ,CHINTOY,EB and others in my FB blog .
So far I see Conte blend very well with following in scale on new produced brand figures and vintage as follow.
Conte match blend good to great with Chintoy,EB, Publius,No Name from Russia, Marx 60 mm RECAST ,Supreme, Liberty imports ,US Toys, Biplant, Tecnolog and SDS Argentina .Also match/blend fairly enough or 2/3 mm short when compare with some straight up poses or match perfect in others poses of new makers such LOD,TSSD and EXF .With vintage ,it blend- match pretty much good with Reamsa,Jecsan,Atlantic,Starlux,Ahona ,Rojas y Malaret ,Charben ,Timpo swappet,HK Swappet ,Blue Box meta/plastic and few others .They blend far less with any 52/56 mm range new or vintage such Hat,Italeri,Marx 1/32,replicant ,Toyway,Crescent, CTS,COMA,Chinese made 45mm romans and few others .
Note because most poses of TSSD romans are very rigid still straight in some they made looks a bit tall versus CONTE as most poses from CONTE are by far flexing their legs /body and much better depicted advancing versus TSSD .
They look good to me!!
I’m going to need to invest in some Romans!!
I just picked up a bag of Conte Romans at Hobby Bunker. Comparing them with my Ex Force Romans there are some positives and negatives. First off, the Conte Romans are more animated and look like they are in the heat of battle. The Conte are about the same height as Ex Force but Ex Force are bulkier/thicker. The shields on the Conte figures are larger, rounded and look more historically correct. The Conte and Ex Force helmets have their pluses and minuses. The cheek guards on the Conte look more detailed and loose on the face as they would in battle but the top area of the helmet on Conte Romans do not look as broad as the overall nicely sculpted Ex Force helmets so if you added Conte cheek guards to the Ex Force helmet you would have the perfect Roman helmet. I prefer the sculpting of the Ex Force throwing Pilum. I think Conte overdid the weighted part of the spear but as luck would have it, Conte’s pilums are removable and the Ex Force ones fit right into the Conte hands. I already switched a few since Ex Force provides multiple weapons in their sets. All in all both brands look decent together, Ex Force figures having more girth but shorter shields, Conte looking more intense and animated but the top part of the helmets looking a little off but still overall nice.
I’m glad work great for you ,I agree in observation while I like add helmets and shield could and were not same and many variations were made during one century period ,EXF are overall the bulky body max index figures in market ,that is why so hard blend them with many others around ,is their body thickness not the high. Is almost impossible try match same or around close era figures from brand to brand .I like both and see the best from both ,I hardly try to blend 100 % same figures i know will be almost impossible ,as far they can get along pretty much is the best x me .
best ..
I received mine the other day but haven’t opened them yet as they came in the same day I had cataract surgery on my left eye – I really haven’t felt like doing a whole lot. I’m typing this with my right eye (LOL). I get the right one done Tuesday and hopefully will feel like messing with them after that heals a bit.
I’m pretending I’m a kid at Christmas who peeked and knows what’s under the tree but having to wait until Christmas morning to open the package. LOL