«
»

Manufacturing Error Figures


M.U.S.C.L.E. figures were created using an injection molding process. This process reduces cost, increases efficiency, and produces an outstanding final product. This quality can be seen in the detail and consistency of sculpts with M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.

Mattel has also been reported to be stringent in their quality control, willing to reject large numbers of product. Even with the injection molding process having all of these strengths it is impossible to have a 100% perfect production process. Errors and slight abnormalities will occasionally arise. Surprisingly, most collectors do not have M.U.S.C.L.E. figures with significant factory errors.

Of course, there are some exceptions:

#1 - Smashed In Face

#1
Smashed Face

#1 (Example #2)
Smashed Face

#1 (Example #3) Smashed Face

#1 (Example #3)
Smashed Face

#1 (Example #3) Smashed Face (2nd Angle)

#1 (Example #3)
Smashed Face (2nd Angle)

#3
Injection Tag

#5
Indented Groin Area

#24
Deformed Hands

#32
Deformed Horns, Hands, Face

#35 - Missing Hands & Right Foot

#35
Missing Hands & Foot

#35 (Example #2)
Deformed Hands & Foot

#35 (Example #3)
Melted Left Hand

#60 - Deformed Head & Arms

#60
Deformed Head & Arms

#60 (Example #2)
Missing Fingers

#61
Deformed Right Hand

#61
Nearly Completely Deformed

#61
Very Deformed

#73
Extreme Flashing

#77
Deformed Left Hands

#81 - No Hands

#81
No Hands

#99
Head Dent

#99 (2nd Example)
Head Dent

#99 (2nd Example)
Head Dent (2nd Angle)

#102 Injection Tag Spike on Head

#102
Injection Tag Spike on Head

#117
Injection Tag

#122
Deformed Hands & Feet

#123
Indented Right Forearm

#148
Indented Head

#153
Injection Tag

#154
Missing Limbs

#163
Marred Hands, Foot, & Tusk

#166 Multiple Errors

#166
Multiple Errors

#186
Missing Hands

#187 - Head Dent

#187
Head Dent

#221
Head Tag

#222 - Missing Hand & Mohawk

#222
Missing Hand & Mohawk

#223 - Missing Hand & Foot

#223
Missing Hand & Foot

#223 (Example #2)
Missing Hand & Foot

#223 (Example #3)
Head Tag

#224
Indented Feet

#224 (Example #2)
Melted Head

#227 Purple
Left Toe Flashing

#227 Green (Example #2)
Left Toe Flashing

#227 Light Blue (Example #3)
Left Toe Flashing

#228
Indented Left Shin

#228 (Example #2)
Indented Left Leg

Satan Cross
Large Injection Tag

Satan Cross (Example #2)
Large Injection Tag

Incorrectly Packaged
50/50 4-Pack

Incorrectly Packaged
50/50 4-Pack (Example #2)


An especially odd error figure is the Green #63 that was discovered by Marty Hansen and posted on LRG.com. Marty has cast hundreds of figures which mimic the characteristics of the multi-shade Green #63. It would be prudent to view the authenticity with some skepticism. However, there were two main factors that helped suggest the multi-shade Green #63 was authentic: (1) Marty had never created a resin figure that mimicked the texture and rigidity of an authentic M.U.S.C.L.E. figure; and (2) the figure was sold to another M.U.S.C.L.E. collector that confirmed its authenticity.

The topic that is still debatable is the cause of discoloration. Many collectors feel that there had to have been an error with the injection molding pellets – possibly an errant pellet or residue from a previously molded Bandai product. This is the most likely scenario. However, having found it loose does open, at least the possibility, that the figure was dyed or discolored through some process unfamiliar to most M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors.

#63 - Front, Less Flash

#63 - Front
Less Flash

#63 - Back, Less Flash

#63 - Back
Less Flash

#63 - Front, More Flash

#63 - Front
More Flash

#63 - Back, More Flash

#63 - Back
More Flash

#63 - Front, Foot Focus

#63 - Front
Foot Focus

#63 - Back, Foot Focus

#63 - Back
Foot Focus

#63 - Head Seam

#63
Head Seam

#63 - Original Lot of Green Figures

#63 - Original Lot of Figures

#63 - Figure Comparison

#63 - Figure Comparison



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.”

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This entry was posted on October 12, 2009, 12:39 pm and is filed under Research, UofM News. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  1. #1 by Lucas on May 24, 2010 - 9:58 am

    Quote

  2. #2 by Chad Perry on May 24, 2010 - 4:16 pm

    Nice catch, I’ll add it to our ever growing list.

    EDIT – Upon closer inspection it seemed more appropriate to add it to The M.U.S.C.L.E. “Warp” section.

    Quote

  3. #3 by Lucas on May 24, 2010 - 9:21 pm

    Right on, that is really where I meant to post that anyway, haha!

    Quote

  4. #4 by Jet-Mech on August 23, 2011 - 1:30 pm

    That 187 looks like one I had and was forced to sell off about two-and-a-half years ago.

    Quote
(will not be published)


  1. New Manufacturing Error Figure « University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  2. Auction Watch #34 « University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  3. Manufacturing Error Figures – UPDATE « University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  4. Auction Watch #37 « University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  5. Manufacturing Error Figures (UPDATE) & “Super Rares” « University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  6. Manufacturing Error Figures – UPDATE « University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  7. Manufacturing Error Figures - M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  8. Bubbles? | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  9. Do Recent Mattel Quality Issues Explain M.U.S.C.L.E. Issues? | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  10. Warped Figures Update | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  11. Manufacturing Error & Warped Figures – UPDATES | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  12. Manufacturing Error & Warped M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Updates | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  13. Auction Watch #69 - Interesting M.U.S.C.L.E. Auctions | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  14. Manufacturing Error Figures UPDATE - The #227 Toe Tag | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  15. Manufacturing Error & Warped M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Updates | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  16. Warped M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure & Manufacturing Error Theory | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  17. Warped M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Updates | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  18. Manufacturing Error M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Update - #223 Trend? | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  19. Manufacturing Error M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Updates | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  20. M.U.S.C.L.E. Updates - 4-packs, Warped Figures, & Tweaks | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  21. Manufacturing Error & Warped M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Updates | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  22. Updates - 4-packs, plus Warped & Manufacturing Error Figures | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  23. Manufacturing Error Figure - New M.U.S.C.L.E. 4-Pack Error | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  24. Auction Watch #133 - Interesting M.U.S.C.L.E. Auctions | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  25. Auction Watch #138 - Interesting M.U.S.C.L.E. Auctions | University of M.U.S.C.L.E.
  26. Manufacturing Error Figure or Tortured M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure? | M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel - UofMUSCLE.com
  27. Two New M.U.S.C.L.E. Warped Figures Added to the Archive | M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel - UofMUSCLE.com
  28. Editorial: Why I Care About Minutia | M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel - UofMUSCLE.com
  29. Auction Watch #160 - Interesting M.U.S.C.L.E. Auctions | M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel - UofMUSCLE.com
  30. Manufacturing Error Figures Update | M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel - UofMUSCLE.com