When the United States entered World War 1 in Europe it’s military had never taken part in a major foreign war. While the U.S. Army was modernizing it was woefully lacking in modern equipment and sufficient training.
While the American ‘Doughboys’ received basic training it wasn’t until they arrived in Europe and the English and French trained them that they became viable and competent combatants.
Sideshow Collectibles, as part of its Series Seven Bayonets & Barbed Wire collection of 12-inch action figures, recreated one of the Doughboy U.S. Infantryman, A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Forces).
The flip lid box the figure comes in features a WWI Buy Liberty Bonds poster on its cover with a full description of the soldier, the war campaign and other historical facts on the back.
The special lid has an inside plastic cocoon that extrudes out from the lid. It holds a plethora of equipment and weapons.
The figures itself and other accessories are in an inset plastic cocoon with a plastic cover sheet protecting the figure and accessories.
When closed the lid fits snuggly into the recessed figure cocoon.
The figure itself is full articulated with hands positioned to hold weapons and equipment.
Articulation points are in all the joints, neck and torso. No stand is necessary because the figure can stand posed without any aid.
The face of the figure is expertly sculpted with special attention given to the features. The eyes have a reflective spot on each giving them a moist look.
The nose is strong and straight, the jaw line heavy and the figure’s forehead is high with deep eye sockets. The hair is close cropped as befitting a soldier.
Lots of weapons and accessories come with the figure. I’ve listed them below with comments.
M1917 Helmet: It fits snuggly on the figure’s head and is held in place by a chinstrap.
US Army Tunic with Collar Discs: Fits loosely to the figure’s chest and arms. Consists of four large pockets with small button, five buttons down the front and two buttons on the sides of the collar. The olive colored Tunic is stitched to scale and moves easily with the figure.
US Army Breeches: The Breeches flare at the sides of the thigh and end just below the knees. They are olive green and have extra reinforcement at the knees.
US Army Puttees: A slightly lighter green, The Puttees consist of wraparound cloth from the knees to the ankles.
Boots: The heavy, brown, leather half Boots have heavy soles and are laced.
1910 Haversack: The forerunner to the Knapsack, the tan Haversack consists of upper and lower pouches with flaps and button latches. It has several ‘belts’ with buckles, shoulder straps, a waist strap and open pouches for supplies and tie downs for various equipment and weapons.
M1910 Shovel and Cover: The deep green Shovel is all one piece consisting of the spade end, shaft and open handle. The Cover is light brown and slips over the shovel.
SBR Gas Mask and Bag: The Gas Mask is a light tan, has twin lens with black retaining rings and straps for securing over the Infantryman’s head. Like the Mask the Bag is tan with a fold over flap and secure cloth rings to attach to the Haversack.
US Cartridge Belt: It consists of 10 pouches with flaps and buttons split into two groups of five. A heavily wove fabric belt connects the two groups and also has a black Belt buckle. Black metal loops secure the Belt in place.
US Canteen: The Canteen comes in an olive canvas bag with two flaps secured by buttons. The bag is emblazoned with a large black U.S. The Canteen removes easily from its pouch.
Medical Kit: A small black striated box, the Medical Kit attaches to the Haversack.
US Mess Tin: Silver in color the metal Mess Kit has a long single strip of metal that snaps in place securing both sides of the Mess Kit.
Us Mess Fork, Spoon and Knife: All are silver metal and are in scale.
US Trench Knife: The Knife has a large brown handle with finger grips and pommel that wraps over the hand. It has a long thin blade with blood groves and comes with a sturdy green Scabbard.
US Springfield Rifle with Working Bolt: Made mostly of deep brown wood the Rifle has a working Bolt, Bayonet attachment and a heavy trigger and loops for attaching a shoulder strap.
Springfield Bayonet and Scabbard: The Bayonet is long with a short black handle and rifle attachment and it is secured in a long Scabbard with a black tip.
Ammo Bandoleer with Bullet Clips: The Bandoleer is a light tan and five rounds of five Bullets make up the ammo.
All of the weapons and accessories are historically accurate in their details, are finely crafted and scaled and attach to both the soldier and the haversack.
The entire package, including the figure and accessories and weapon, makes up an impressive 1/6th Scale military figure.
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