The Energon Pub

Ok, so I need everyone's expertise.

I just bought a G1 ratchet.
I'd like to know, if this transformer is really G1 and not a reproduction.

Signs it is real to me include:

Rub Sticker
Marking of Takara 1980-1982

Came with three missles, weapon, and red gun stand. Please help me out. I have a clip on head for him, but I know that the head isn't original.

Pics:

I don't remember him being KO'd... Due to the good condition of it, I say it's possible that it's an Encore reissue.

I believe it's real.

The Encore release would have had a more 21st century date on it. (I think)

I just looked at my Ratchet, it looks genuine to me.

So yours says china on it too?

Dogma wrote:So yours says china on it too?

They all will. Transformers are produced in China.

Hmm. My Bumblebee G1 has just Takara Japan on it, and Warpath has Takara and Hasbro 1984 Japan.

robofreak wrote:I believe it's real.

The Encore release would have had a more 21st century date on it. (I think)

Nope. I have Encore Ratchet, and it has the exact same markings. 1980-1982. Only on the box does it also say 2007.

Plus, the original release has the Red Cross Sign on the top of it (near the back). This one doesn't. And the Encore did not come with a cross sticker (at least I think it was a sticker... ).

That's all I seem to observe, and from that, I say it's most likely the japanese encore.

EDIT:
Just to prove it, check out the Encore Ratchet I have in the line of G1 figures I own(ed back in march). It has no cross on it.

BUT, look at the picture of the G1 Ratchet from TFsource.com

Original Encore.

You should pick up the custom clip on head set on Ebay. Greatly enhances the toy and looks nice with G1 Prowl and the rest. After I got it, I ended up buying Encore Ironhide whose now one of my alltime favourite toys.

Gyrotron wrote:Plus, the original release has the Red Cross Sign on the top of it (near the back). This one doesn't.]

True, but the red cross was only available on the first wave of Ratchets back in the 80's - there were later re-releases, even still within the original run of Transformers, where they had to remove the cross for legal reasons. Red Cross was getting too antsy about being associated with war toys. I know, because I had a cross-less Ratchet growing up, years before any Encore or bookbox release. So, despite the lack of a cross, this could still be an original.

There is no possible way it could be a Diaclone, could it?

Diaclone................no rub sign!