I have a 1977 Luke Skywalker with an orange single telescoping light saber. It looks all looks factory and original. The colors of Luke's clothing are different as well. His tunic is not white, it's two-toned in sections; a light yellowish and a light tan. Does anyone know anything about this figure?

Hi, that sounds interesting, do you have a photo of it you could show here.

Yes, but I'm new to this site so I'm not quite sure how to do it.

Sounds like a discolored Luke with a Vader saber

Well, I'm not a star wars expert but, I don't think so. The colors are bright and this is in near mint condition. I've looked carefully at the saber and it doesn't look like anybody could change it out or switch it, it's built into the figure. I also have a Leia figure with tan arms and legs but a white torso. She wears a tan cape as well. I have to get some photos out so you guys can see for yourselves. How do I post photos? Much obliged!

The forum platform makes you wait a week before posting.
http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t887-uploading-pictures?highlight=pictures

You might be able to upload them to your galley though and we could look in there for them. I am not sure if it makes you wait a week to upload to the gallery or not.

Norman I think you meant to post that the figures were in your gallery in this thread and not the other.

The figures are all discolored unfortunately.  The leia cape also looks to be a sand people cape.  Sorry to say.  Also the saber with Luke is a vader saber.  I would have to look again, but it appears to be the ledy saber which also came on made in Mexico cards in the USA.  There is a really great thread called everything you ever wanted to know about discolored figures if you search for it.  You can see how some of these figures can get discolored really crazy.  I am on the IPad or I would link it for you, but should be relatively easy to find.

Edit to add this link*
http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t3379-everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-discolored-figures-but-were-afraid-to-ask?highlight=Discolored

Actually looking again the tip on the saber isn't thick like the ledy saber.

Hi:

Thank you very much. I realize the yellowish color on the Luke figure is due to discoloration but his tunic is actually composed of white plastic and a light-beige plastic, as is Leia and an Imperial Stormtrooper. I've included pics in the gallery section of this site under normantveit's personal album. I'm not an expert but the colors of the figures and the orange saber in Luke's hand appear to be factory, authentic and genuine. Maybe it was one experimental batch. I dunno..

The lightsaber is an authentic lightsaber for a vader figure. These are all interchangeable. The saber slides out of the slot easily. As you pull back also pull downward and it will slide right out. The figures are just discolored. They are not special or prototype or anything other than that. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. it is common for limbs, legs, torsos, and heads to discolor in varying degrees. It is also common for the painted areas of these discolored areas to discolor differently, it is also common for figures to discolor only where they are exposed to the light, sun, etc... There are many examples of max rebo for instance with a brown or tan looking torso, yet lift his arm and it is bright blue underneath. These toys were made from the cheapest plastic sourced 30 plus years ago. They were not meant to last a lifetime in prestige condition. Why are some in such good condition? Because when they were made some people decided to store them in a more ideal environment. Believe me or don't, but I promise you I have figures just like your sitting in a box of beaters to customize or move on cheaply. This is not a matter of discoloration that hasn't been seen before. Look in the thread I linked. There are figures that look very much like yours and worse. Actually look through the thread though as some might not be linked to the first page.

Thanks again. I appreciate what you said about discoloration but the beige shade on each is the same. The beige is even and according to segments of the figures. The stormtrooper has a white torse but arms and legs made of a beige plastic, not white. Leia has a white torso but beige arms and legs, same shade of beige as trooper. Luke has white (though slightly yellow discolored) upper tunic section while lower section and arms are beige. I know nothing about the sabers, so thanks for that. I do disagree about the plastic colors, though, which I think is the most important aspect of these figures. Cheers.

I don't want to beat a dead horse or anger anyone so I've offered to send the Leia figure to Artoo for his personal inspection. That's probably the best way to resolve this question and debate. Thank you all for sharing your opinions and advice!!

normantveit wrote:

 I don't want to beat a dead horse or anger anyone so I've offered to send the Leia figure to Artoo for his personal inspection.  That's probably the best way to resolve this question and debate.  Thank you all for sharing your opinions and advice!!

Hi Norman.

As I explained in the email, these figures are sadly all degraded. Really, you'd be wasting your cash posting any out for verification.

Paul

Here are the figures in question:













The torso of the figures degrades differently as it was a different type of plastic and different thickness.  The figures are simply degraded.  You don't want to believe us, send them to AFA.  I look forward to hearing what they say.