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EDIT: The person that I picked up these pictures from just listed all of these on eBay. See here.
German Garrison 501st figure – orange Pauldron
German Garrison 501st figure – black Pauldron
German Garrison 501st figure – white Pauldron
Lego semi official – Dutch and German and US 501st Garrison Minifigures
I have put individual pics of these figures below down in the post.
After the Solid Gold and Silver Boba Fett and C-3PO figures, these are some of rarest figures that I have come across! I have been meaning to do a post on these for quite some time and it has proven difficult to locate information on all of these minifigures as it appears that a cloud of mystery surrounds these elusive figures. I have tried to compile all of the information that I can find about these elusive figures. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of these facts, but these appear to be the most valid information that I can find. Please read the info below and some of the links that I have posted and make your own conclusion.
One other items that is interesting that I have read in a few places that also makes these difficult to find. 501st Legion members are not allowed to sell 501st promotional material. It appears that if they sell anything, that it is in violation of the agreement with Lucas or or Star Wars or something and that they can get in trouble.
It also appears that these were not endorsed by Lego or Lucas, but that they were produced by and for the 501st Legion which has the right to produce Star Wars merchandise, but not to sell it? So while not official, they appear official enough for me to be interested in collecting them sine they were produced by a sanctioned body. They appear to have been at least permitted by Lego.
Here is a post on RebelScum.com that explains the origins of the German ones a little and claims that they are some what official but not really official. Again, I cannot confirm this, but I want a set if anyone is selling plese contact me ASAP! . See it here. “These were made by someone working within Legoland Germany. They were a thank you to the German garrison for there attendance at the Star Wars 30th Anniversary charity fund raising event at Legoland Germany.The figures were given to all the members who attended as a thank you with the rest being sold on the website. The threads original post states these were a thank you gift from Lego. …
As nearly 900 501st figs were produced,these are a bit more than just much-hyped custom figs. Don’t give up so quick!”
and here…
“They are not official nor endorsed. I have had this confirmed by LEGO in Enfield and Billund, as well as Lucasfilm. They were made by a staff member at LEGOland Germany. None of the LEGOland parks are owned by LEGO (they were sold off 3 years ago) and so the person who made them does not work for LEGO.”
Basically, it sounds like they were made by a Lego employee, that they are not quite official, not quite custom and that they were made by thelittlearmsshop.com. I am pretty sure that this is every collectors dream!
I first became aware of these in around 2007 and 2008 when I saw a few sets of these listed on eBay and I saw mention of these on Eurobricks here and Rebulscum here. I believe that I also saw them over on FBTB.net and Brickset as well, but the the links are eluding me right now.
It appears that all of these were created for the 501st Legion in Germany, US and Netherlands by the Little Arms Shop. See here for their webpage. I am not positive about the US version being made by http://www.thelittlearmsshop.com, but it appears likely that it was the same company.
The US versions is a Clone Trooper while the German and Dutch versions are StormTroopers / SandTroopers
I have heard varied numbers on their production and the variants. I am certain of 5 different variants, but I have recently read that a 6th one may exist. I have not yet confirmed the identity or validity of the 6th variant. Nor have I confirmed what it may be. So if anyone knows, please let me know in an email or a post.
US Garrison Version 501st Limited Edition Clone Trooper Minifigure without a Pauldron – Limited to 600 units
You can see this one here.
German Garrison 501st Limited Edition Stormtrooper / Sandtrooper Minifigure came in three colors with either a black, white or orange Pauldron – Other than the Pauldron colors, the figures appear identicle. Limited to 95 – 100 units for each color. On another thread on Rebelscum, I heard that only 260 total of these were made with an unknown number per a color.
Here they are on minifigs.nl Orange – Black and White
Dutch Garrison 501st Limited Edition Stormtrooper / Sandtrooper Minifigure came in one color with an orange Pauldron – Unknown quantity exists. – Probaably 95 to 100 units or less.
UK Garrison – I have heard that this may be the 6th variety, but I do not yet have confirmation of this. Please let me know if anyone has seen one!
These are really neat and I would love to add a set to my collection. I will be adding these to the price guide shortly as I am still doing some research on what the value should be for these. I know what I would pay!, but I will need to see a few on Lego and I am also asking some people that I know that have them what they paid.
Thanks for looking
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