Who Made Mars Toy Soldiers. (1 Viewer)

[kilted vampire]

So the guys in these pictures that kind of remind me of Imperials are in fact Mars. Mars made in th USofA These are really nice kind of like Imperial seconds. They are that good. I would like to know when they were made and by whom? Does anyone else have these sets. What other lines did Mars make. Any catalogs? Any and all info are greatly appreciated!


Shot with KODAK P850 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA at 2007-08-06

 

[kilted vampire]

Shot with KODAK P850 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA at 2007-08-06


Shot with KODAK P850 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA at 2007-08-06

Mars figures have the chocolate brown rifles

 

[ucla1967]

Mike,

I believe I answered this before when you asked about the logo on the bottom of the bases. Mars Limited was a small company out of Texas which was around for about a dozen years until the owner, Mr Weeks, passed away. He was apparently a one-man operation, but a prolific producer of toy soldiers. I have an 1986 price list which shows 159 sets. He produced many ACW sets, but also had WWII, U.S. Army 1888 with spiked helmets, and German Imperial period and WWII. I have two sets of LAH bands, one with 12 figures the other with 25. The sets were marketed as Regiments of the World and came tied into their boxes. As I had mentioned earlier, I met Mr. Weeks at the Chicago Show in 1993 or 1994, just before he passed away. I was trying to locate set No. 136 U.S. Air Force Security Police for my son, Keith, who was serving with that unit at that time. I would say his figures were more compatible with Britains than Imperial.

 

[kilted vampire]

I remember some of that about what you said. Could not find that thread. Would love to find a comprehensive list. Any zulu stuff? Does anyone else collect his toy soldiers? Thanks Mike for your info it is greatly appreciated. I wish to find more of these sets

 

[ucla1967]

I just found a newer price list from 1993 which I believe I got from Mr. Weeks in Chicago . It lists 303 sets plus a Texas in History series numbered Tn01 to Tn08 which are Alamo sets. Your set in the photo might be No. 66 Union Infantry Firing, 1861-1865, standing and kneeling with seven figures. There is also set No. 67 which is the same but with an officer with binoculars and has 15 figures. I will copy my price list for you and give it to you in Chicago.

 

[kilted vampire]

Much appreciated Mike. Thank you.

I would love to hear from other collectors who may have an interest in this wonderful line and any pictures would be nice also.

 

[knights1212]

Much appreciated Mike. Thank you.

I would love to hear from other collectors who may have an interest in this wonderful line and any pictures would be nice also.

Just a few weeks ago I obtained a set of 6 figures by Mars, Davy Crockett and 5 Texas Defenders. The 5 defenders are all the same pose standing firing but each is painted differently. They are quite nice and are still tied in their box. I know a set with William Travis was sold a few weeks earlier on ebay and it had I believe 4 Texans with Travis. I think it sold for $41.99.

 

[theBaron]

Mars were sold through the now-defunct Armchair General mail-order catalog and auction, too, if I remember correctly.

Prost!
Brad

 

[ucla1967]

A while back, someone sent me a PM asking if I had a list of the special Alamo sets produced by Mars. I replied that I did, but didn't know where it was at that moment. I have found the list and here it is:

TN01 Texian Army, 1836, standing firing, Davy Crocett figure and cactus.

TN02 Mexican Army Infantry, 1836, running at charge, officer and cactus.

TN03 Mexican Army Infantry, 1836, advancing at ready, with flagman and cactus.

TN04 Texian Army, 1836, standing at ready and loading, William Travis figure, cactus.

TN05 Texian Army, 1836, advancing at ready, Jim Bowie figure, cactus.

TN06 Mexican Army Infantry, 1836, assault party advancing, bugler, men with scaling ladders.

TN07 Mexican Army Fusiliers, 1836, standing firing, with bush.

TN08 Texican Army, 1836, Alabama "Red Rovers," firing with officer and bush.

All sets have 7 pieces and are price code A. There were no pictures of these sets.

 

[ucla1967]

The price list that I have is from about 1993. Price code "A" is $68.

 

[ucla1967]

I posted photos of three Mars Limited Regiments of the World sets under a different thread in the Dioramas forum, but I thought I should also post them here. The three sets are as follows:

Set No. 170 HAWAII KING KALAKAUA I ROYAL GUARD, 1886

Set No. 292 U.S. ARMY INFANTRY, 45TH DIVISION, 1941-1945

Set No. 138 BRITISH SPECIAL AIR SERVICE, NO.1 DRESS, 1980

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Mike - Just a small point - Those SAS guys are in Number 2 dress. (as is the second chap in with the SLR) . The white waist belt is a bit odd - but they might be a quarter guard? The Number 1 dress (commonly called Best Blues by the lads - and not very often worn by those lads) - look like the guy on the left in the Osprey pic below. jb

Nice set though.

 

[ucla1967]

Hi JB,

Thanks for the information. Both the box's end label and the catalog list say service dress No. 1, but that is clearly not the case.

 

[ucla1967]

This set of Mars Limited toy soldiers recently appeared on eBay: Set No. 90 Confederate Infantry at Ready.