Short Pour & Factory Error Figures

this string, is for identification in my collection, i have approx 700 figures, and sometimes i forget if it's a meccano, pbp , and other, i have write meccano ( for this figure)... on the paper

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] that's a cool one (:

Is it a mistake made at the factory? Or maybe they had a bunch of over-produced C-3POs they didn't want to go to waste and willingly recycled as DSDs?

ourchickenshack wrote:It sold for $7,100

GAH I can imgaine how much more it would have been SOLD for IF the Kenner Proof Of Purchase seal was intact on the ESB 45A Card Back!

The Death Star Droid carded error is without doubt cool, but it falls into the category of unbelievable odds at the same time. In my post a while back I mentioned the unlikely situation of one figure having two errors because of the way in which figures where assembled. Now maybe some instances things where different so it would always be impossible to say for certain, but typically, the production process would be as followers:

Parts are produced in an injection mould on sprues. Torso, limb and heads are all produced in different moulds separately. Each mould produces several figure parts in one injection process, usually 2 or 3.
The sprue is removed from the mould and put into a box or container of some sort and the process is repeated, when the container is full it is sent to the next stage where someone cuts the parts from the sprue and puts them into separate containers, left leg, right leg etc. These are the sent to the next stage... Paint, where they are clamped into a spray mask and sprayed.
These are then boxed up and sent for assembly where the parts are randomly picked from a container and assembled.

This is my point. The chances of two errors pieces ending up on one figure that then also manages to make it through quality control are slim to none which is why I always struggle to trust them.
The Death Star C-3PO is an odd one because it is not only the wrong figure with the wrong spray app, it is also three wrong spray apps in the same place and to top it off, it's carded!!! It certainly is an odd one.

I actually have a DSD with no black paint on either shoulder, I've never really trusted it because of the unlikeness of it being produced that way. This certainly is interesting, I personally wouldn't trust it's authenticity just because of the way my mind is set but the hobby certainly does like to throw things at you every once in a while that just out right fuck up everything you think you know...... like the fourth Luke Bespin Lightsaber sculpt!!!!! That's a story for another day though

Good points Alex

I have no clue if it is authentic or not but the seller was Collectible Investment Brokerage (Tom Derby , right ?)

I may be wrong but I thought he is a pretty well known guy


This is what the auction description said :

Offered is a Vintage Kenner Star Wars C-3PO Paint Error on Empire Strikes Back 45 Back Death Star Droid Card.  We have never seen an error of this magnitude or an error this cool before.  We would speculate that a remaining stock of C-3POs, last used on 41-back cards prior to the release of the Removable Limbs version, were mixed up and painted as if they were Death Star Droids only to be placed on 45-back cards.  However, this is just a guess about how this could have happened.  We have never seen another like it.  This is a truly unique item and an amazing piece of Star Wars history.  We have thoroughly inspected the seal and stand behind its authenticity.

that's super cool , wish I owned him

General Kahn wrote:The Death Star Droid carded error is without doubt cool, but it falls into the category of unbelievable odds at the same time. In my post a while back I mentioned the unlikely situation of one figure having two errors because of the way in which figures where assembled. Now maybe some instances things where different so it would always be impossible to say for certain, but typically, the production process would be as followers:

Parts are produced in an injection mould on sprues. Torso, limb and heads are all produced in different moulds separately. Each mould produces several figure parts in one injection process, usually 2 or 3.
The sprue is removed from the mould and put into a box or container of some sort and the process is repeated, when the container is full it is sent to the next stage where someone cuts the parts from the sprue and puts them into separate containers, left leg, right leg etc. These are the sent to the next stage... Paint, where they are clamped into a spray mask and sprayed.
These are then boxed up and sent for assembly where the parts are randomly picked from a container and assembled.

This is my point. The chances of two errors pieces ending up on one figure that then also manages to make it through quality control are slim to none which is why I always struggle to trust them.
The Death Star C-3PO is an odd one because it is not only the wrong figure with the wrong spray app, it is also three wrong spray apps in the same place and to top it off, it's carded!!! It certainly is an odd one.

I actually have a DSD with no black paint on either shoulder, I've never really trusted it because of the unlikeness of it being produced that way. This certainly is interesting, I personally wouldn't trust it's authenticity just because of the way my mind is set but the hobby certainly does like to throw things at you every once in a while that just out right fuck up everything you think you know...... like the fourth Luke Bespin Lightsaber sculpt!!!!! That's a story for another day though

Is this for sure how every individual part and figure was made? Is it possible that since the paint doesn't cover a joint on the Death Star droid that the screen used was made for figures after assembly? It seems to make sense that they could make a larger screen to cover the entire upper torso except the arm plate and the eye holes and then sprayed the open areas. I have seen a video where they were painting modern figures and the head was already on the torso in the process. I don't remember what figure other than it was some girl being painted. It is possible that the arms were also already attached but I don't recall.

funny I had a figure with filled in feet , I used a powerdrill on him . I also had a ben with the sabre arm too tight and did the same thing

some fantastic new additions to this thread

but man, (if genuine) that miscarded, paint error, C3P0 on a DSD card has to be the greatest/coolest factory error ever found!!!

Ambidextrous Boba
Some cool errors guys

Great interesting figure Chris and a great addition to your Vader focus mate
Just curious, was it advertised as a short pour/error figure, or just a normal listing ?
I am on the hunt for a Lando one of any type
Great thread guys very cool pieces

Nico wrote:
Great interesting figure Chris and a great addition to your Vader focus mate
Just curious, was it advertised as a short pour/error figure, or just a normal listing ?
I am on the hunt for a Lando one of any type
Great thread guys very cool pieces

Thanks Andy
It was not listed as a "short pour" or factory error in the description.
But was described in the listing as having a shorter leg and foot.

Good luck with your search for a Lando, buddy.

cool vader Chris ... congrats

Really awesome that you got that Vader Chris - didn't look like anyone else even bid on it

BTW Andy - if I ever see any Lando errors or oddities you know you'll be the 1st person I tell about them

This Lando was a gift from a very good friend about a year ago I think   I forgot I had him but found him yesterday   Looks to have a bit of overspray on his left eye  
Looks like someone lamped him and gave him a black eye  

lol great lando Andy , I love this thread

I have this posted in another discussion area.i have had this since new.nobody I know of has messed with it,but I am not sure if it is a factory have spray on the eyes and eyebrows.

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Great Luke Johnb
I remember going into toy stores as a kid to purchase a new figure, which ever character I was after next, I would take every single one off the rack and check them all out individually in order to get the one with the best paint apps/least defects/ straightest sabre ect. I got some funny looks from the store staff doing this, but I wanted my figures looking the best Come to think of it I still do that today when buying a collectable item