3rd Generation

There’s been a lot of confusion in past years over the bootlegs that have become commonly known as “Polish Recasts”. The history of these figures isn’t completely clear yet but my hope is that this article will at least help educate those with an interest in bootlegs how to tell the difference between “Recasts” and 1st generation bootlegs.

These pieces started turning up around 1994 or 1995 and have come mostly from dealers and collectors located in Germany and Poland. These were thought to be 1st generation Polish bootlegs when they first surfaced but after wave after wave of these started to show up collectors became a little suspicious, but not before a good many were fooled. It was the contention of many that these were nothing more than high-output customs made to be “spoon fed” to hungry bootleg collectors. I had a different theory though. It has always been my belief that these were legitimate re-issued bootlegs, a 3rd generation of bootlegs if you will. The timing would put them before the first waves of POTF2 figures hit the shelves but after the hype started to build surrounding the resurgence of Star Wars. My feeling is that some industrious person/ persons either came into possession of the old molds used or made casts of a set of 1st generation bootlegs and began to produce their own at a time of little Star Wars product. It was a time when old and new fans and collectors alike were eager for any Star Wars merchandise. The key argument against this was that the deciding factor in what makes a “true” bootleg is the production process and distribution. A “true” bootleg should be factory made and distributed, to be sold at retail, to the general public. A high-output custom however, is strictly made for the collector’s market. Years ago I remember seeing a carded example of one of these “Recasts”. The example was part of an extensive bootleg collection. The collector I spoke with said he had a contact in Poland that acquired it for him around 1996 or 1997. After years of searching for that photo again I finally found it. Not only that, recently I was given the pleasure of being sent pictures of two more carded "Recasts". This is the first time these pictures are being seen by many. The best part is that the two recent pictures are of carded figures that still have price tags applied. I finally have the proof positive that I've been searching for to prove once and for all that these were indeed sold at retail. Based on this information the term “Recast” is a bit of a misnomer when in actuality these figures are a 3rd generation of legitimate Polish bootlegs.

Early on, many experienced collectors were fooled by these 3rd generation bootlegs and many are still fooled today. There are 19 figures available in this 3rd generation, all of the same figures available in the 1st generation with the exception of Barada . One of the main differences of these 3rd generation bootlegs is the fact that they are fairly uniform in color and paint deco. Over the years several new color/paint variations have surfaced but thier is still much more uniformity than in older generations. Some have key differences that are a dead give-away that they are not 1st Generation though. For example, the 3rd generation Biker Scout, both paint decos, is gray. The standard version with the black gloves is shot in gray rubber and the variation is shot in white rubber but painted gray and black. No 1st generation Biker Scout has ever turned up in gray. I know of several different 1st generation paint variations for the Biker Scout and all are white rubber. Some are much harder to tell apart from pictures on the Internet, like Darth Vader, since they are both black with similar paint detailing. This chart is not a be-all, end-all but it should be a great resource for those with little experience in Polish bootlegs.

Here are some key differences:
• Most are shorter than 1st generation bootlegs
• Rubber is less rigid, it is much more flexible
• Paint is uniform across the line
• Paint feels “tacky” still
Sockets are different-1st generation has a conical socket and 3rd generation has more of a ball joint

These tips will only help if you have the figure in hand and if you are experienced with 1st generation Polish bootlegs. The chart should however, prove much more useful to the novice.

Biker Scout Limbs
(click thumbnails to enlarge)

Character

Carded

Loose

Pre-Production

Boba Fett

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Darth Vader

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Biker Scout

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Stormtrooper

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Hoth Rebel Soldier

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Tie Fighter Pilot

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Luke (X-Wing)
o

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Hoth Trooper

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A

AT-AT Driver

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

AT-ST Driver
o

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Han Hoth

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A

Zuckuss

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A

AT-AT Commander
o

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Death Star Gunner

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Lando General

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Nien Nunb

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

AT-AT Driver Limbs
(click thumbnails to enlarge)

Character

Carded

Loose

Pre-Production

Princess Leia

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Tie Pilot Limbs
(click thumbnails to enlarge)

Character

Carded

Loose

Pre-Production

Darth Vader
o

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

AT-AT Driver
o

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Death Star Gunner

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A

Prune Face

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Weequay

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
N/A
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Accessories

Weapons

N/A
N/A

Special thanks to Rasmus Risbak for allowing usage of some of the images in this article.


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