Marx Atlantic Cavalry Figures Bill Nevins Greg Liska this time we have some interesting items from both of them. Greg has some conversions he did of the Marx 60mm cavalry. Bill has some photos of the Atlantic Cavalry. He also has a question on a gray cavalry horse from Marx. so let us get started.
Marx Atlantic Cavalry Figures Bill Nevins Greg Liska Greg’s 60mm Cavalry
Greg has done some conversions of Marx 60mm cavalry. Here is what he had to say.
I always wanted to do this, but could not make myself cut up originals in good condition. Recasts were in such hard plastic, I could not ensure I’d get a clean cut. I finally came into a pair of the Mx 60mm Cavalry mounted poses that were damaged, but not too damaged. The hats were chewed, sword and pistol also marred. I straightened out what I could and gave them Kepis. Scratched that itch. Thanks for looking.
Marx Atlantic Cavalry Figures Bill Nevins Greg Liska Atlantic Cavalry
Bill Nevins wrote this about the Atlantic figures.
Going through my Atlantic stuff, I found these guys. All 6 poses with horses of the 60 mm mounted 7 th Cavalry figures.
Marx Atlantic Cavalry Figures Bill Nevins Greg Liska Gray Cavalry Horse
Bill came up on a question of a gray 54mm Cavalry Horse. Here is his question:
Here are some pix of 4 gray Marx Cavalry horse that I just came across. Have you ever seen a gray Cavalry horse? I’ve seen gray Western horses, but not gray Cavalry horses.
I have a number of sets of the Atlantic cavalry stockpiled. Some of my all-time favorites.
Never cared much for them
The Atlantic Cavalry poses are great and different from most other Cav poses. They are so full of action! I have Crockett Atlantic set; it is a favorite of mine. The Crockett in canoe is on display at my house. I have several of their 1/72 sets as well. It would be nice to have someone reissue this great manufacturing line.
The gray cavalry horses look pretty good. That would have been a nice color for a general issue.
Have plenty of gray but are all reissues. Have seen some from the dump however
It does seem very strange a dump figure matches the horse
Yes, it looks like an exact match. Sure seems to be the actual color. Going by my laptop color scheme of course. 🙂
I have 3 or 4 boxes with the hanged man and the dragged cowboy, but only this one set of Cavalry.
Of course, a lot of my Atlantic still has the Polk Hobbies stickers on them. As far as I know, I have all of the Western sets in multiples, with plenty of color variations.
I have the large suitcase sets also. And the crazy colored figures on blister cards.
I have never seen, but I have heard of a “Cowboys” set that was a set issued after the
7 th Cavalry set. Anyone know of, or have that set?
Bill
There two sets of specific “cowboys” figures-poses made by Atlantic.
Both cowboys sets were last made in mold production in the American western series as far “figures” goes in the WESTERN era sets.
I have both sets-missing one pose only in one.
The US Cavalry 3 sets were much before .
The last two molds x western sets series were the OXEN wagons and the Gatling guns with ACW caisson variation box of two pieces or single in second series sold in 1980.
Colors mix packs are the 1986 series reedited after Company change name.
I can post entire Atlantic line 1.32 and HO time order line here for all to see.
Western series in 1.30-1.32 BS start in 1974/75 .
The hardest and rare to find packs series are actually the lasts
MAXI-soldatini and surprise bling bags.
Gulliver redone the wild west series in two scale (40 mm) and 60 mm exact cloned from Atlantic poses with legal permission from Atlantic.
Best…
The blister packs were never sold in the United States. All had to come from Europe
Who distribute sold then here first?
Atlantic first and third western series were the main export sets specific pack for-to US.
Others were made x Europe market however any one could had brought it if like I guess.
I picked them up from Peter Bergner as he found a load. I also got from him bags of Atlantic figures. These were mostly military. We did get a bunch of the medieval cannons. My staff at the time gutted the bags and repackaged them.
Update
After I post the above I remember Excalibur Hobbies got some of the blister packs. they could also be from Peter.
Erwin They must have been brought into the US by Polk Hobbies or his supplier. That’s is where the bulk of the Atlantic stuff came from.
A guy named Gene from Staten Island discovered a
storage room or warehouse full of the stuff that he bought when Polk went under.
I know that in the late ’70’s there was a hobby shop in Freeport, Long Island named Dave’s ,that carried all of the Atlantic line. It was a pretty big store and he carried all sort of models imported from all over the world.
So there had to be at least one distributor in the NYC area.
Yes, I have it.
The Fort Bowie playset has three sets of mounted cavalry in it.
Yeah the three cavalry large case playset bring double or three time sets figures.
Too bad they did not make the HO fort for the large figures…
or the HO western building in large scales….
Ironical Atlantic is only main Italian toy soldier maker who did not cover medieval figures/set. Yet they produce a rare castle well done to be sold under ATLANTIC with the NARDI knights included in early 80s .It was displayed in several advertisements and catalog. It was only NARDI figures Atlantic sold by them after NARDI demise…
The piece if in great condition could sale for $$$+.
Italian collectors are crazy x it.
Atlantic two western sets-figures(included hanging) was copied-cloned in 54 mm very well done and sold in bags from HK.Few or modern sets too.
I had never see one in hand ,but seen in Italian blogs and books.
Greg the figures looks mint to me.
Great job!!!!
IF all could be repair as that will be awesome.
Thanks, Erwin. I just have a very hard time throwing out old vintage plastic and this Kepi idea was rattling around in my coconut for quite some time.
AAHH, two of my Holy Grail sets – the Atlantic 7th Cavalry Mounted and the Laws and Outlaws in 60mm. Still looking for these last two sets for the collection.
Would the Gulliver 60mm figures work as substitutes? I collect for poses and, if they were exact or close to the originals, that would be fine.
Yes, the Gulliver work.
However Gulliver made two scale verssion .So need make sure wish one and gulliver mix the figures in bags .Unless very early fort painted sets poses.
Yes, the Gulliver work.
However Gulliver made two scale verssion .So need make sure whioh one and Gulliver mix the figures in bags too very in not pose accodially distribution .Unless very early fort painted sets poses.
A gulliver copy on ebay: I wounder if this is Captain Keough? 3 arrows in him!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RARE-GULLIVER-ATLANTIC-COPY-WEST-PLASTIC-US-CAVALRY-OFFICER-1-32-/142231991171?hash=item211daff383:g:kU8AAOSwepJXVa5Q
The Portuguese seller lists as 1/32 but says they are same exact size and poses as Atlantic. He has this one in tan and several painted figures.
Yes. That most be the tall cloned 60 mm.but till need ask.
The price is too high x that unpainted verssion.
An Atlantic figure not painted of Custer should not go x more $5.00
Atlantic pose is same.
This is a typical old painted version in right price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RARE-GULLIVER-ATLANTIC-COPY-WEST-BUFFALO-HUNTER-FIGURE-1-32-/182410497341?hash=item2a78834d3d:g:wCMAAOSwjDZYbS7l
Sample this seller has the 1.30 cloned Gulliver version of Atlantic but with the last gloss plastic issue from late 80s in bag where detail got a bit not much blurry.
Gulliver figures are easy differentiated from original Atlantic in hole in base and Gulliver tringle symbol bellow base .Wile Atlantic had neither.
Atlantic run last production in the blister pack in same multicolor variation too.
Gulliver copied-not cloned some ,not all of WW2 sets and add varied new poses such Germans, Japanese and marines …they are in true 54 mm scale as Atlantic as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gulliver-Farwest-Story-Figures-Forte-Apache-Portugal-Brazil-New-in-Package-/252334966442?hash=item3ac05606aa:g:q9kAAOSwZ8ZW-GX~
One of the added poses by Gulliver is a WWII German marching
The card sets came from Bill Murphy.
I bought my younger brothers (twins) a Jean Hoeffler Fort when I was stationed in Germany for Christmas 1975; I didn’t think it had enough figures so I went out and bought them some Timpo Cavalry and Apache swoppets to fill it out. I think the next year I found a nice little shop (the one I mentioned awhile back) that sold Atlantic figures and bought them the entire 7th Cavalry line with Apaches and Sioux warriors to fight. I loved the ideas behind most of the poses (their Custer’s Last Stand figures (or whatever they called them) had a charm to them – it’s hard not to like guys so happy to be filled with so many arrows), but I never liked the style. The guys’ bodies were just too skinny for their heads. But my kid brothers loved them and I wish I’d bought a few sets on the side now. The accessories were great.
They ran out of beans, so have been starved! Some figures look OK and others are too skinny or heads are big.
That’s the thing iI noticed with the Crockett Far-West set is some figures look good; others have big heads. Crockett bayonetting a Mexican is especially egregious; the Soldado has a funny stiff Kepi style Shako and huge head. The other thing was why did they make it in a dark orange? I have a few pieces of the set in a great looking tan; there is one out on ebay in that nice color.
Some people do have big heads in proportion, but it seems like all of the models for the sculptors had big heads or skinny bodies? 😛 I still like the action in the poses and the Cavalry horses that look like they are ready to bite off heads!:D
Thanks Admin and Bill for information.
I appreciate it…
Atlantic artist designed poses are typical of Italian art figures .However on top the two main Atlantic designer.
They use for short time one artist from CO-MA and other that worked for DULCOP too.
There is where you see the sets very alike Airfix poses in WW2 sets(such Atlantic-Germans,Japanese and Marines) in smaller line(54 mm ) from same artist that made some sets for DULCOP(Germans and Gi’s) plus early Gis sets and then Italian alpine And paratroopers designed By CO-MA artist.
Wile modern and most WW2 other sets such AK,Indian,comandos,medic,police and others were work of the two main artist who did entire western line and ancient also.
Greg, nice job on the kepis; the figures turned out really well. Their weapons have been through a lot of battles!
Thanks. Looks like they lost those battles, too. I need to re-treat that pistol barrel. I guess I can this weekend when I get home.
Someone had a hard skull!
I notice a lot of 1/32 listings for the Atlantic cavalry and Crockett sets. My Crockett set is definitely 60mm. Were there actually 54mm sets or all the ebay listings wrong?
My Atlantic sets are all 60mm – 70mm. Laws and Outlaws really too big to fit with my other 54mm cowboys.
Atlsntic wesren is not 54mm at all.
They are 1/30.
When first catalog and italian pack come they were printed as such.
Second series x exports and rest were then relabel as 1/32..
Sorry.
Atlantic western series I meaned.
The repackaging explains it. When the company prints the boxes with 1/32, they are mislabeled for ever!
Thanks for info, Erwin!
In fact the western series are officially catalogued as BS-BIG SCALE in the Atlantic company sale list promotional printed X export.
Yet pack as 1.32
Wile the WW2 are catalogued 1.32.
The early series western and all ancient were done and cataloged as true 1.30 .
I think it was a matter of mistake or else for export packing …
But we haveto rememnerthat most continental EUROPE follow the 60-70 mm from elastolin typical rage approx.
Wile it was most in UK that the 54 mm were made ,still many went to do the large scale as well at same time, specially CHERLIEA,CRECSENT AND CHARBEN.
France have some brands in the 54 mm too .
as well ITALY few like CO-MA, Spain -GAMA-TEXIDO ,Germany -MANURBA-some sets and so on…to much to remember now,sorry.
Any way a lot of PARAGON,TSSD and EXF are call 1.32 too and are not at all!!!.They are 1.30.
Some late packs are label correct I think.
LOD ENTERPRISE Label the figures correct-1.30.
So I guess the 1.32 is used now as generic-tradtion, if want be exact you really have to use the measurement in mm per figure…
I personally never care at all as I do collect in all ranges and have plenty to mix match with.
Sample Atlantic western match in scale approx with ,TIM MEE,AURBURN,REAMSA,JECSAN,COMANSI,CRESCENT,CHERLEA,PH ,STARLUX,CANE,NARDI and even MARX 60 mm that are a bit lower than most others mentions. Just to mention few.
On new production they match the Mexican(not cowboys) of SW, the cowboys from Paragon,Austin and TSSD…
If you are in to real 54 mm then you may need stay with older such Britain ,Herald,Marx,MPC CO-MA,Resiler,TIMPO solid,Braiwood and rest.
I’m not be exact 100% but approx. in range for both line…
thanks
1/32 seems to cover everything from Conte size to Marx Centennial ACW figures.
No rhyme or reason to it.
Good thing they don’t make tools, light bulbs, and car parts like that!!
Or how about shoes?? “I need a size 12 or 13 or 14 or 9 or 10 or sometimes an 8 or even a 17.”
Andy the close in 1988.
But they have an industrial section dedicates x houses holds p
I’m serious. …
:-):-):-)
What a headache! That’s why it’s nice for Erwin, admin and others to provide comparison photos! It’s really appreciated!
Atlantic ancient srt boxes list and depict cases with correct scale 1/30 not 1/32.
However most western serires boxes made x export (english) wording in cases or pack says 1/32.
All Western series are 60 mm or taller and half ww2 and modern are too.the catalog list then in both 1/32 and 1/30.
So seems to be a generic approach give time release when airfix, matchbox were out w their 1.32 scale.??
So done in purposes. ANY ways neither airfix mantein the 1/32 =54mm accuracy as well.
Matchbox many are 58/59 mmm.
If you put an AK figure next to an Matchbox you will see the discrepancy in size and weapons size too.
Even do they call it (true 1/32) scale.
My thoughts. ..
That’s why this info is important and photo side by side comparisons, too. It really helps me before purchases!
I agree.
Well with time I can most time provide pics in most European figures or others …some times I have too dig way a lot and is a pain as I storage in three houses my collection.But size compere is what I use most time in my eBay listing sales ,unless forgot or too well known figures.
1/32 is just a mathematical ratio of proportion; A toy figure can’t be 1/32 scale AND 1/30 scale at the same time, it is one OR the other. Atlantic made ranges of figures in various scales – many of the WWII sets are closer to 1/32 while the Ancients are 1/30 or considerably larger. The boxes might say 1/32 but the figures inside may actually be larger depending on the particular range.
TDBarnecut.
In my opinion.
Your logic could be accepted in my opinion. scales are not exact 100%
However scales were presented in Hobby for a purpose. They cover a range in mm measures.Once the limit pass then go to next scale.
The scales have been use with a chart to determine the ranges in kits and figures.
So it will be appropriate to stay in the facts and not use the “could be concept”otherwise will be not purpose in stablish scales and rules.
and then would be a complete chaos.
all ancient ATLANTIC boxes says 1/30.as I mention before.
Some of the original case of WW2 were depicted 1/30 or/and 1/32 ,then once made for export with exception of ancient where most label as 1.32.
I remember being at a Hobby trade show. They had one day for the public. There was this one person going around tell vendors that their item not the scale listed on the box. He would say it was not 1/44 scale it was 1/47 scale. The vendor told him polite buzz off.
Admin: Ha!
But I certainly appreciate the information provided by Erwin with respect to compatible sets, especially the non-US manufacturers.
Didn’t Atlantic also make the Cavalry sets in grey plastic to be used as confederates?
Didn’t Atlantic also make the Cavalry sets in grey plastic to be used as confederates?
Yes, but as far as I know only in HO scale.
Bill is correct…
As far I know and see plus all 22 Atlantic years catalog, not a single Atlantic big scale set was depicted as in grey or as confederated.
However in the painted rare series they did it .Those are not common and offered at few hobby stores in Europe. I do not have any records here.Sorry.
best..
Yeah I think the only way to truly judge the size of a figure is the eye test. Marx would call figures 54mm like the Alamo Mexicans, yet the charging Mexican is clearly not a 54mm figure. CTS Mexicans, also appear to have a variety in size, the guy charging and the officer firing the pistol are clearly smaller than the others, while others in the set seem abnormally large particularly the loader and the guy advancing with bayonet. This stuff could make an insance man like myself go sane.
The Marx Mexican charging with rifle across waist is 45mm. If you look at the Marx Alamo NO 3535 Marx used the 45mm pioneers and Indians. It may have been thought that they would do the Mexicans in 45mm but something caused the change. Marx left in 45mm figure.
Personally because I used my figure in my own stories, I never got too hung up on size. I can understand with people recreating famous battle it would be important.
Many of the marx WW2 germans are 57/58 mm
The ACW call 54mm are 58mm ans two 60mm.
Is a mess all over place to call 1/32 54 mm.
But what we can do….
The eye test, if you are clever enough in your placing of figures you can get away with a lot of discrepancies.
My alamo had 45mm defenders, but no Indians, lost of Mexicans in two colors, the defenders came in tan/beige and silver. They made lousy Alamo defenders, but they made worse Fort Dearborn guys. About the only sets they fit in with were the Custer sets.
Agree Ed.
And as I think you had mention before as far hands and same weapons do not go too different in scales I had mix and match.
The first set was a rush due to the popularity of Davy Crockett.
The King of the wild frontier? That’s what the song said anyway.
I find more trouble mixing in the Paragon Alamo defenders with one exception, not only are they tall, but they are thick with huge hands. Also, the powder horns and pouches are like man purses and that is one big honking pistol. However, if you are mixing them in with Conte and TSSD they work fine. It’s a shame too they have such nice action poses.
We’ve talked about this before – placement can make a world of difference sometimes if there isn’t too much difference in size. I remember a few years back a maker said he usually measured from the sole of the feet to right above the eyeline when he proofed his figures for consistency in scale. The guy said with the differences in headgear the brow was the best place to compare figures. Weapons can be another deal killer – but even there one can make do.
I’ve got a ton of CTS and Marx Mexicans; they assault another segment of the wall from the newer guys – but the little guys mentioned above I leave in the bag, they make nice casualties.
I have always toyed with the idea of doing a set up mainly in play set colors with some small scenes of painted figures to act as central pieces of the diorama, For example, say in my version Davey Crockett is surrounded and is swinging his rifle as a club on the outskirts are guys in play set colors, but the Crockett scene including a few attackers are painted. Something on that order and maybe a few other scenes of significance done the same way. What do you guys think?
Honestly, I prefer one or the other. Not a mix of painted and not painted. But that’s just me and my preference.
I would set it up and see how I like it. It may look great.
All that really matters is that you’re happy with it.
If that’s what you like, who gives a spit what anyone else thinks?
Bill I agree totally in both statement…
No problem with anything said but I like the idea from an artistic point of view. I know I like to play with backdrops, lighting and effects to add drama or get a feel to a pic.
I’m reminded of the movie “Schindler’s List” (I think it was “Schindler”); there’s one scene where Spielberg put in one splash of color in the form of a red coat on a little girl in an otherwise black and white movie to bring your attention to that little girl and her fate.
In Ed’s scenario the fully painted guys would stand out from their “black and white” (or playset colored) surroundings bringing the viewers’ eyes to the intended focal point. I don’t know whether I’d want to do all my pics that way but I think one could get some neat shots and it might be a great tool to keep in one’s “kit” to pull out occasionally.
That’s how I was thinking of Ed’s idea as well. The painted draw the eye or camera’s eye and could make really nice and interesting set ups and photos.
What would be kind of fun is doing the Mexicans color matched for regiments, or all the same in your background for uniformity and maybe the defenders in Southwestern style tans and red.
Lots of ideas to play around with. If somebody does this, I would like to see the photos.
To each, his own. Part of the fun of it.
I got the idea from a football card from the early 90’s, they had a card of someone like Barry Sanders running and part of the photo was in color and part was in black and white. Barry and the guy or guys in his immediate vicinity were in color, the background guys were in black and white. I thought it looked cool and thought maybe it would work in a diorama.
I need add something here …
ATLANTIC blister pack from late 80s-last did release the US cavalry in white,cream,brown and dark free full set.
The only issue was it was often mix with other same figures in other colors, so to complete entire set in one color, you need few blister card.
I can provide full white set color picture in case any interested.
Best…
Hi
I stumbled on your blog when trying to identify some plastic miniatures I’ve rediscovered at my mum and dad’s house now that both have passed away. I have a four year old boy and decided to give him all the old soldiers, cowboys, indians, etc that were in bags and boxes. I’ve realised there are quite a few random items that I don’t really know how old or whether they are of use to collectors. Anyway, seemed relevant to post here because there are two sets of these Atlantic 7th cavalry figures and also what appears to be the same make of a set of cowboys on a raft. Is that Atlantic?
Also, where is it worth sending photos of old figures to get help in identifying what they are? Apart from some Airfix soldiers which are in their original boxes from the early 70s, I don’t know the brand of most of the stuff I’ve found.
In my FAQs you will find my email address to send photos.