RCMP

1966  Mountie Gift Set (window box code  # 5904)   

Correction to note on https://www.yojoe.com/12inch/64/CanadianMountieSet.shtml

 The GI Joe Mountie Gift Set, was first released onto store shelves (specifically, Simpsons-Sears Limited shelves in Canada and was never made available in the United States) in the late fall and/or early winter of 1966, prior to the release of the 1966 Simpsons-Sears Christmas catalog.  This is confirmed by the Mountie's first appearance in the coloured advertisement in the 1966 Simpsons-Sears Christmas catalog.

The Mountie Gift Set sold for exactly $7.98 in Canadian funds, as price tags on vintage boxes evidence and in the colour advertisement of the 1966 Simpsons-Sears Christmas Catalogue, page 61.

This set has G.I. jOE outfitted with everything a self-respecting, full-armed Canadian Mountie might need in the performance of his duty, including cold-weather and outdoor gear. 

This G.I. jOE set came in two basic configurations: the window box set (as above) which was available in the store displayed as a shelf item , and the gift box set (as below) which was available by catalogue order. 

The window box set version included fewer items:

 - G.I. jOE painted head 11 1/2 inch action figure; 

 - "Red Serge" regiment jacket with shoulder epaulets and battle ribbons above left pocket;

 - Navy blue jodhpurs with yellow stripe trim on outer seams;,

  - Beige campaign hat with light brown vinyl hat band;

  - Brown riding boots; 

  - Brown holster on brown Sam Browne belt (pistol belt with shoulder strap);

          NOTE: Who is the Sam Browne belt named after?

      As many law enforcement professionals probably know, the belt worn by so many officers is named after

       British General, Sir Samuel Browne (1824-1901).

 - Grey revolver with black grip w' white string lanyard;

 - Brown M1 rifle w' tan elastic strap;

 - Black binoculars w' black elastic string;

 - Tan night stick w' orange plastic wrist strap;

 - Tan and silver climbing stick ( alpenstock );

 - Yellow climbing rope;

 - Pair of white snowshoes;

- Pair of white ammo cartridges with white web belt.

The Mountie Gift Set sold for exactly $5.98 in Canadian funds, as advertised in the black and white advertisement in the 1967 Simpsons-Sears Christmas Catalogue on page 183.

The 1967 catalogue advertisement  wording reads as follows:

(Item) "F - SAVE 2.00 on exclusive 'Mountie' gift set. Dressed in Red coat with epaulets, this figure can take many action poses. Comes with revolver, dark glasses, binoculars, snowshoes, gun belt, etc. Uniform can be used by Mountie and G.I. Joe dolls.   49 N 38 074  - 11 1/2" tall. Was 7.98. Now only . . . . . . . . . . 5.98"

The box art cover indicates the following contents and my comments are in the brackets:

-Red coat with epaulets (and battle ribbons above left pocket);

- Navy Blue jodhpurs with yellow piping;

- Hat (beige campaign hat with light brown hat band) ;

-Boots (brown) ;

-Sam Brown belt (again it should be spelled "Browne") ;

- Revolver (grey with black handle and white string lanyard);

 -Night stick (tan  w' orange plastic wrist strap);

- Snowshoes (white);

-Gun Belt (Since the Sam Browne belt was already listed this must be referring to the pair of white ammo cartridges with white web belt).

-Radio (Green camouflage wireless radio w' morse code pad);

-Rifle (white M1 Garand, the window box had the brown version);

-Climbing stick (aka tan and silver Alpenstock w' yellow rope);

- Canteen (Grey canteen with black cap and  tan canteen cover);

- and others .  

These are the "others"... 

- Green goggles w white trim and black elastic;

 - Black binoculars w' black elastic string;

- Grey mess kit w utensils;

- Gold handle knuckle knife; 

 - Brown medic pouch ( very rare piece which was only available with this set and could be used as an ammo pouch for the revolver). 

And of course the G.I. jOE painted head action figure. 

The Mountie continued to be sold by Simpsons-Sears until the existing stock was depleted sometime in 1968. The Mountie figure disappears from the store catalog listings by the time the 1968 Simpsons-Sears Christmas catalog is released.

I don't believe that either the window box or catalogue order box included a metal GIJOE dog tag. 

See link: http://www.collectorville.net/index.php/ct-menu-item-5/13-article-2  for a detailed comparison of all Mountie outfits made by Hasbro affiliates. 

Also see link : http://www.vintage3djoes.com/mountie.html on the Vintage 3d Joes, Mountie page

 I had almost forgotten that Formative International - Soldiers Of The World, created "The Mountie".

 John Steele comes with the  iconic uniform  with the red jacket and insignia on the jacket and dark blue pants with yellow stripes, stetson "mountie" hat, brown gloves, brown tall boots with spurs. A pistol with removable magazine and white lanyard, brown holster, brown Sam Browne belt, two brown pouches (one would be a magazine pouch, and the other smaller pouch could be a handcuff pouch), but that's it for accessories.  

The pistol is extremely well detailed - the bored barrel is a nice touch of Dragon on most of their weapons. Extra gloved hands would have been one additional accessory that would have been nice.  Also, the hole intended for the snap on the holster is somewhat blocked by the pistol itself when it's inside.  It's a slight design problem that they should have considered. 

In the United Kingdom (UK), the only way to get the 1970s Action Man Palitoy Mountie was with the Save Stars Canadian Mountie Mail Order form 

September 1938 - Action Comics no. 4

Here's a much-used quote from the show, DUE SOUTH, 

"I first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of my father and, for reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture, I've remained, attached as liaison with the Canadian Consulate." 

The Mountie Song - Due South 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQkql4dHniE