Test Shots (1997 Joes)

Action figures usually start as "Hard Copies". These models are used to create the molds, that are used to press out a run of "First shots" or "Test shots". These test shots are done in many different colors and lack a date stamp until the production run begins.

Pictured above are three test shots from the 1997 G.I.Joe re-release. Because these figures were being pressed from existing molds, they have date stamps.

The first figure (left) is the Cobra Viper. The head, arms, and chest are the from the original 1986 Viper - but the legs and waist are from the 1986 B.A.T.. Note that the lower right leg is used for both the left and right leg. On the inside of the right leg is a date stamp "1986 Hasbro".

The second figure (middle) is Duke. The head, chest, and legs are from the original 1983 Duke - but the arms and waist are from the 1983 Gung-Ho. On the inside of the left leg is a date stamp "1988 Hasbro". On the seat of his pants is "Made in India - Funskool".

The third figure (right) is Snow Job. The head, lower arms, chests, waist, and legs are from the original 1983 Snow Job - but the upper arms are from the 1984 Spirit. On the seat of his pants is "Made in India - Funskool". This figure has no date stamp.

At the time of this writing, these figures have not reached stores yet. It will be interesting to see whether or not these figures change from their test shot stage to the final production stage.