German Trench Raider

Say what you will about the German Army during World War I, but you have to admit they were some of the best-trained and equipped fighters in the world.

Their weapons and technology were far superior than most of their allies and enemies and their tactical expertise was second to none.

The same holds true to the WWII German Army.

Firearms, uniforms, protective clothing and armor, explosives and field rations and equipment far outshined most military forces.

Sideshow Collectibles, as part of its The Peter Jackson Collection Bayonets & Barbed Wire collection of 12-inch military figures, presents its Series Five German Trench Raider IR 186 Stosstrupp Markmann fully articulated figure.

During WWI special German Storm Troopers were specifically trained to infiltrate enemy trenches.

They wore removable armor that allowed them to cross the ‘no-mans land’ and once at the trenches they would quickly remove the strapless armor.

Once in the trenches they were fast, silent and deadly.  Using knives or what ever other weapons were available they would kill or capture enemy soldiers.

Those captured were often interrogated for vital troop movement information.

Sideshow Collectibles reproduced a German Trench Raider IR 186 Stosstrupp in perfect 1/6th Scale.

The figure is of a young man with close cropped brown hair, heavy brows, a full face, straight-edged nose, deep set blue eyes with heavy lids, square jaw and with his mouth slightly open revealing his teeth. Flesh coloring is varied duplicating real skin tones.

The figure is fully articulated at all body joints and fits easily into his accompanying wardrobe with no fabric bunching, ceases or unnatural wrinkles.

Clothes remove and place on the figure with no fuss or muss.

The figure comes dressed in Stone-Grey Trousers with red vertical stripping, a M1915 Blouse with heavy upturned cuffs, a Waist Belt with Prussian Square Buckle, Puttees and Ankle Boots and segments Sappenpanzer Body Armor.  

The Body Armor fits over the shoulders and lies in three sections down the chest ending in a separate crotch plate.  Segments have small pads between them for easy movement.

All of the clothing has in-scale stitching and fasteners.

Included with the figure are a 1918 Stahlhelm Helmet with chin strap, a Mauser G 98 Rifle with Ersatz Sling and working slide bolt, Mauser Cartridge Boxes, light brown Improvised Grenade Bags, four Stick Grenades with wooden handles, an Ersatz Bayonet with Scabbard, an Improvised Trench Mace with rope strap and heavy metal rivets, a Gas Mask Can with fabric tie, Wire Cutters of solid metal, a M1887 Haversack (Bread Box) and a M1907 Water Bottle with leather strap.

All accessories and weapons either attach to the soldier’s waist belt or shoulder straps.

Once assembled the figure bristles with equipment and with the realistically scaled and sculpted hands it easily carries the rifle, grenades or other weapons and accessories.

The detailing on the figure and accessories are historically accurate and the paint application is clean with no slopover edges or bleed edges.

Even heavily loaded wit weapons and accessories the figure stands erect and stable.  It’s one of the most detailed of the Sideshow military figures and currently sells for around $150 in the box.