Reproduction Storm Shadows vs the originals

[airedevon 1]

Hi!

I posted the following on YoJoe - But I thought I would post it here, too - in case some members here were looking to buy a Storm Shadow figure - and were curious about the differences between the originals and the newer reproductions on eBay.


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I have some information that might be helpful in identifying the new reproduction Storm Shadows.

Last year (2008), I bought some of the reproduction carded Storm Shadows (on reproduction Chinese cardbacks).

Recently (2009), I bought some of the reproduction loose Storm Shadows that have appeared on eBay (after I realized that they were indeed reproductions)

Both the 2008 and 2009 reproductions are identical... except for the cobra symbol... which is more well defined in the second run.

I have taken some pictures to show comparisons with the original 1984 release.

In all the pictures (except where noted), the original Storm Shadow (and SS pieces) are on the left... The reproduction Storm Shadow stuff is on the right.

I hope these help:

US/Canada/EU China 2008 China 2009 --figures and accessories
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_10.jpg

US/Canada/EU China 2008 China 2009 --figures
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_22.jpg

US/Canada/EU China 08/09 --imprint, rivets, and leg plastic indent (where removed from sprue)
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_12.jpg

US/Canada/EU early and late China 08/09 --arms flesh tint, rivets, and shoulder attachment piece
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_13.jpg

US/Canada/EU China 08/09 --inside torsos
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_14.jpg

US/Canad/EU China 08/09 --heads
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_15.jpg

US/Canada/EU China 2008 China 2009 --cobra symbols
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_23.jpg

US/Canad/EU China 08/09 --accessories
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_17.jpg

US/Canad/EU China 08/09 --quiver
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_18.jpg

US/Canad/EU China 08/09 --nunchucks
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_19.jpg

China 1990's China 08/09 --cardbacks front
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_20.jpg

China 1990's China 08/09 --cardbacks back
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_ss_24.jpg

Some carded Storm Shadows - all made in Hong Kong
http://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/11/22/52/69/sm_som10.jpg
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The entire thread can be viewed here:
http://forums.yojoe.com/showthread.php?t=66821

[Andy1672]

These repro's are extremely well made, and I suppose if I hadnt read this then I would never have known !

Thanks for sharing .........

[Ross SC]

who makes the made in hong kong versions?!
are you sure they are made in hong kong, or are they just exact copies? (as in are they made here, or do they just say they are to stay true to the original?)

[Chopper]

Holy cow, are these figures official? Where can you find them? Nice Stormie collection too.

[airedevon 1]

who makes the made in hong kong versions?!
are you sure they are made in hong kong, or are they just exact copies? (as in are they made here, or do they just say they are to stay true to the original?)

So far, all the Hong Kong versions that I know about are original Hasbro figures made back in 1984 to 1987 (or so

The ones I used for comparison are from my collection - bought back in the 80's.

Eventually, some reproducers may indeed use the Hong Kong body/mold (instead of the China body/mold) - and they may improve the logo. But even in that case, there likely will still be differences to tell them apart from the originals.

Some people may be happy to get a reproduction (it's a good way to get a nice white figure!), and that's OK - but unfortunately, some people are selling them as original - and imo, that's not OK.

Take care,
Aire

[airedevon 1]

Holy cow, are these figures official? Where can you find them? Nice Stormie collection too.

No, the figures are not official at all!

They have been showing up on eBay. Here is one auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0389403217

[Ross SC]

passing them off as originals, what a douche!
thats what f*cks me off about ebay, there is no way of warning others!

[The Kraken Wakes]

Looks like the logo and arm rivet colour may be easy to stpot in a good pic, thanks for the warning...

[tintinlostsnowy]

Holy cow, are these figures official? Where can you find them? Nice Stormie collection too.

No, the figures are not official at all!

They have been showing up on eBay. Here is one auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0389403217

The winner of that auction ( onetofivedayauctions ) is well known in the Star Wars community for selling dodgy stuff so no doubt they will be passed off again as vintage.

[Golden Puma]

if they had been originals in that condition the auction would have reached $600, I'm amazed that people are suckered in by that