#60 - Missing Fingers
Bill is currently working out a trade for this 4-pack of figures. The #60 figure appears to be a prime example of a manufacturing error figure. Especially interesting is that this is the second occurrence of a sealed Purple #60 be malformed.
The discovery of a second, sealed malformed Purple #60 is important for another reason. It is the best tangible evidence that manufacturing errors/problems could be the reason for the three classes (A, B, C) of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. The Purple #60 is also a Class A figure mainly because of it’s popularity. The other figures from its tree (Part 1, Tree 2) are all labeled Class B.
This does not suggest the Classes should be changed, rather it suggests that fewer of these figures were produced. It is possible that the discovery of two sealed malformed #60 figures provide the specific figure that caused color production of Part 1, Tree 2 to be discontinued.
The discovery of a second malformed #60 also spurred a quick investigation into the other figures from the Manufacturing Errors section. A rather starting observation was made.
Three of the malformed figures (#1, #35, and #187) are quite unique. They are not figures that collectors would normally associate with any problems. The figures also come from Parts (8, 1, and 18 – respectively). None of those Parts have ever yielded a “Super Rare” figure.
Figure #81, from Part 5, is interesting because Chain Man is also part of Part 5. Figure #81 also comes from a 4-figure tree. Collectors have often believed that smaller trees were a result of the original molds being plugged. The deformity of Figure #81 may lend credence to the plugging as a result of casting problems that were being experience with the Part 5 molds.
However, figures #222 and #223 yielded the most interesting results. Both of these figures come from Part 21, which could be considered the Mecca of Super Rare figures. It seems to be more than coincidence that out of the seven manufacturing error figures two of the figures come from Part 21. This tiny piece of data is one of the only tangible pieces of evidence that molding issues could be the explanation of “Super Rare” figures.
If you have M.U.S.C.L.E. figures with factory errors or damage, please email a short explanation and pictures to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E..
Figures with lesser errors and problems are highlighted in the section titled, The M.U.S.C.L.E. “Warp.”
