James Bond action figures, despite being one of the most popular and lucrative movie franchises of all time, are difficult to find.
A few companies have made halfhearted attempts but there hasn’t been anything of any real outstanding quality over the years.
But hopefully, with the Big Chief Studios announcement that they will be releasing a line of Bond figures, that is about to change.
In the meantime let’s take a wander down memory lane of what there IS out there!
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Did you know the very first James Bond action figures were released in 1964?
AC Gilbert, a toy company based in New Haven, Conn. USA, was better known for its Erector Sets, car and train racing sets as well as its science kits prior to this and why they expanded into the action figure market is anyone’s guess but they made some notable entries into the market, with their James Bond figures being among the most popular
Before producing the 12-inch James Bond action figures Gilbert produced a series of 3-inch non-poseable figures for the Dr No to Thunderball movies that obviously led them to believe there was enough interest to produce the 12-inch line, that likely led them to being able to successfully pith for the Man from U.N.C.L.E. AND Honey West licenses.
.Sean Connery is generally considered to have been the best James Bond so these 12-inch figures were based on the Goldfinger movie, which is also considered by many to be his best.
The line consisted of only two male figures, James Bond and Oddjob. The Bond figure came dressed in trunks, a cap firing pistols, swim fins, snorkel, scuba mask and shirt.
There was a spring-released mechanism in his arm which was used to fire his cap gun. He also, apparently, came with black shoes, one of which had a retractable knife.
Oddjob had a similar mechanism that was used for throwing his deadly hat or to deliver a lethal karate chop. Oddjob was dressed in a white gi, with a black belt and head band.
The Bond figure originally came with a black suite and white shirt but that was replaced with the later figurethat came with the trunks and snorkel that were produced under license by Ideal Toys.
JAMES BOND- Gilbert 1965
• James Bond boxed including scuba mask, snorkle, swim fins, bathing trunks, shirt, mask, cap-firing Beretta pstol, binoculars and trench-coat
• OddJob boxed including karate robe, neckcloth, head band, black belt and derby
JAMES BOND Action Apparel and Accessories 1965
There were several accessories sets to go with these figures; six large boxed sets, one smaller boxed set, and two carded sets.
The first six sets were a disguise set, a Thunderball set, two Scuba sets and two UK exlusive sets; a tuxedo set and a ski set.
The smaller boxed set was a second Disguise set. Then there were the two carded sets which were another two Scuba sets.
Oddjob however didn’t receive any extra accessories other than what he came with, which was a missed opportunity by Gilbert as there was plenty of scope for equipment, clothing and weapons etc they could’ve produced for him.
• Disguise Kit boxed including 2 different masks, hand grenade, trench coat, black pants, shoes and hat, dark glasses, eye patch and binoculars
• Thunderball Set boxed including jump set pack, tommy gun, long-sleeve white shirt, black pants and shoes
• Deluxe Scuba Outfit boxed including scuba vehicle, action spear gun, 3 different projectiles, scuba air tanks, orange scuba jacket and headpiece with detachable decoy duck
• Scuba Outfit #2 boxed including scuba jacket, headpiece with decoy duck, spear gun, 3 spears and dagger
• Disguise Kit #2 boxed including 2 masks, cap-firing pistol with rifle conversion kit, grenade belt, 4 grenades and ammo pouch
• Scuba Outfit #3 on header card including air tanks, tubes, bracket and dagger
• Scuba Outfit #4 on header card on header card including spring-action spear gun, 3 spears, undrwater propulsion unit
• Ski Outfit (rare, boxed)
• Tuxedo Outfit (rare, boxed)
Scuba Outfit #2
AC GILBERT
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PLEASE NOTE: All prices and values quoted on this site were correct at the time of publication based on the average value across several online and offline auction sites etc. The prices quoted ARE NOT an offer or solicitation to buy any figures at these prices.