History of OWN Figures

Erwin Sell has decided to share the history OWN figures. It is  very interesting and fascinating.

OWN company. Made in China

2001

OWN Figures co., LTD

OWN company stands for “Overall War Nation.” The name reflects their focus on the history of China’s wars. Initially, the company aimed to produce and sell historical toy soldiers in museums and shops throughout China. However, due to political and economic challenges, production and distribution were limited, and they ceased supplying museums. This shift reportedly occurred because the company faced issues related to the political implications of their products, which primarily honored non-communist Chinese forces.

Subsequently, the molds were acquired by other factories after the apparent passing of the owner, who had stored them in a damp location without producing additional sets. In 2013, I come across these figures set products during a trip to China. The company also produced metal or die-cast figures, including few World War II German, Japanese, and Chinese soldiers, along with two armored vehicles. They may have also created molds for medieval and ancient periods. I began importing these products exclusively to the United States as the sole distributor.

Several dealers in the U.S. obtained various limited batch productions directly from me. The sets made of plastic and distributed are as follows …

Set 1 – (Chinese Banner Army = Warrior) 1894-1895; yellow/orange color – first Sino-Japanese War (16 figures in 8 poses).

Set 2 – Japanese new Imperial army (Japanese Soldiers) 1894-1927; light to mid-blue color – first Sino-Japanese War (16 figures in 8 poses).

Set 3 – [Chinese Central Corps]-  (Chinese Nationalist Army) 1937-1942; German-trained division troops 1937-1942 – second Sino-Japanese War (16 figures in 8 poses), grey color.

Set 4(+5) – [Chinese Central Corps]- (Chinese Nationalist Army) 1937-1942; German-trained division troops 1937-1942 – second Sino-Japanese War (14 figures in 7 poses), grey color. Included the artillery 3 poses crew set from set number 5

All sets were packed and distributed with double pose distribution. Color shades may vary by pack from the factory. In total, there are 31 different poses across all 4 sets. Each requires minor cutting and assembly of plug/glue parts.

The figure is detailed enough that various gestures and racial features can be clearly observed on their faces.

The Chinese from set 1 (Yellow color) soldiers depicted from the First Sino-Japanese War are intended to represent the Huai Army and regional units organized by statesman Li Hongzhang, alongside traditional imperial troops such as the Eight Banner Army and the Green Standard Army, rather than the Boxer Rebellion fighters, which is a common misconception among collectors.

The Japanese soldiers (Light blue colors) set 2 from 1893-1918 can be utilized for representing events such as the First Sino-Japanese War, the Korean invasion, the Russo-Japanese War, the Boxer Rebellion, and World War One against German soldiers during the Siege of Tsingtao in 1914. These figures may also be used to illustrate films like Port Arthur, 55 Days in Peking, Warriors of the Rainbow, and others. The Chinese soldiers are designed specifically for the First Sino-Japanese War, dressed in traditional Chinese Imperial uniforms and equipped with a range of weapons. Many carry older models such as Austrian muskets, Martinis, Mausers, and Enfield, though often with incorrect ammunition. Others are equipped with ancient weaponry, primarily bows and arrows and long spears. These figures could also be relevant for the Boxer Rebellion, the French-Sino War, various conflicts in 19th-century China and Asia, as well as the revolutionary wars in China, Mongolia, and Indochina during the 1900-1920 period.

The Modern Chinese soldiers’ sets (Set 3 ,4 and 5 )  were created for the years 1937 to 1942, during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and World War II. They represent 18 divisions of the Nationalist army, totaling approximately 350,000 soldiers, who were trained by German advisors before 1938 and formed a crucial part of the Chinese military. These soldiers participated in many intense battles in Asia, causing considerable casualties to Japanese forces and securing a few hard-fought victories during this period. They were equipped with German helmets, hats, and weapons that were either manufactured in Germany or produced under license.

The figures feature plug and glue arms and weapon parts, and the original poses of each set can be easily modified with minor cuts on the arm pins, allowing for the creation of additional poses. The poses are dynamic and realistic, reflecting a three-dimensional design. Occasionally, the ends of the plastic weapons may be bent, which can be easily corrected using a hot/cold water immersion method that works effectively with this plastic material—a contrast to some figures from other recent factories where this method may not be successful.