france ·
man-at-arms ·
Man-at-Arms France
Mattel France Released 4 different Man-at-Arms (Le Maître D'Armes) for their “Les Maitres De L'Univers” line.
The first wave were the French 8-Backs. Known as "Trapeze" due to the Trapezoid shape of the box behind the figure name. Two variants of the first wave exist. One with Standard Boots (with mid boot paint) and a second variant with soft rubber boots. The heads were marked Taiwan. This is due to Mattel France not having their own head molds at the start of production.
The second wave of Man-at-Arms were released on a yellow border card. These as well had 2 different variants. One with standard boots (mid boot paint), and a second variant a soft rubber boots. The second wave figures did have french (unmarked) heads.
This diagram shows both versions of the Second Release.
Both Yellow Border Man-at-Arms are very similar, sharing the same accessories, similar paint colors, and same COO stamp. Both also share the arm armor with wrist cuff. This arm cuff mold is also found with Spain and with Leo India Man-at-Arms (Black Boot).
Where they differ remarkably is in the legs / leg bands. One release has the standard mid paint boot paint app, found on many France figures. The stand out though is the soft boot variant. This variant has rubbery, soft boots and the leg band is integrated into the leg. The leg band is the exact same color as the boot! A dark matte red.
SOFT BOOT
1. Figure marked © Mattel. inc.1981 MADE IN FRANCE.
2. All accessories except the Mace are marked FRANCE.
3. Mace is blank.
4. Integrated dark red leg bands.
5. Soft rubber boots.
6. Blue belt.
STANDARD BOOT
1. Figure marked © Mattel. inc.1981 MADE IN FRANCE.
2. All accessories except the Mace are marked FRANCE.
3. Mace is blank.
4. Standard black leg bands.
5. Standard boot mold with mid-paint paint application. Boot color can range from a vibrant red to a much darker red-brown.
6. Light Blue/Celeste belt.
