Samurai and The Captain

For a while back in the late 1990s and early 2000s a plethora of toy companies emerged-most of which were producing action figures.

With the success of Hasbro, Mattel and in particular McFarlane Toys action figure lines entrepreneurs were looking for profitable products.

With the relatively cheap cost of producing, painting and packaging action figures in China the toy market looked to be a good investment.

One such company: Dusty Trails, introduced two series of action figures.

Both were relatively successful but ultimately with rising costs and the sudden downturn in collectible action figures the company folded much too quickly.

Two figures: Samurai and The Captain (one from each series) were some of the best figures produced by Dusty Trails.

The Samurai plastic hanger/standup package features an Asian theme with stylized Samurai text, arrow background and centerpiece that really makes the package pop.

The figure is dressed in full traditional Samurai attire with a multi-layer/color wing helmet, multi-chest chest plate and torso armor, loose long sleeves with tag in form the fingers, a large red knotted belt with scabbard, loose fitting burgundy pants that end at the knees and solid black laminated shin guards and soleless shoes with red ties.

Large multi-color back guards and pearl handle Samurai sword, a katana and bladed pole are included with the figure along with a reproduction of a section of wooden bridge with rails and a section of pebbled soil.

The details on the figure are amazing!

Just take a look at the colors of the armor, flesh tones of the skin, folds and creases in the clotting, fasteners, cloth overlays and the helmet are super detailed.

The hands of the figure are pre-posed to hold the various weapons and the figure is pre-posed in an attack position.

Detailing on the bridge also includes rail heads and metal bolts.

Equally impressive is The Captain figure.

Decked out in his buccaneer outfit The Captain is posed with one leg up on a wooden crate and his left arm extended for holding the flintlock pistol that is included.

The bearded pirate wears a period three-pointed black cap with feather, a large buccaneer coat with buttons, cuffs and long flowing tails.

He wears a gray shirt with frilly collar and cuffs, a red sash belt, a wide brown belt over his shoulder with a silver buckle, a flintlock pistol, loose fitting burgundy pants and leather knee boots with large heels.

Also included is a sword with scabbard, a wooden box with pin for holding the figure in place and a wooden plank floor.

The face sports a mustache and lower lip goatee and the head has long hair.

Both figures are held in place by form fitting plastic cocoons and wires.

Paint application is crisp and clean with no bleed over edges and the sculpt work is sharp concise and nicely executed.

Both figures are some of the best of Dusty Trail’s.