Happy 1st Birthday, Many Mini Hooves!

One year ago today the first post for Many Mini Hooves was published!

Birthday Week - Footnotes: Model Mementos - Breyer Souvenirs

From time to time Breyers pop up in various gift shops and tourist traps promoting a particular region or attraction. These models feature non-factory modifications such as stickers or even simple dioramas to link them with the area. I have a couple of souvenir animals in my collection, but I've yet to be lucky enough to come across any of the Stablemates.

Birthday Week - Footnotes: Heavy Metal - Stablemate Knock-Offs: Models of Mystery

Earlier today we had the Durham Steel Stallions models which are fairly well documented for knock-offs. The origins of the following models are a bit more mysterious.

The owner didn't know anything about these guys, but it doesn't look as if they are from the Durham Steel Stallions line as they are unpainted and are lacking any type of mold stamps.

They do, however look very similar in finish to other Durham miniatures and are, with the possible exception of the G1 Saddlebred, molds which Durham would already have on hand. It stands to reason this G1 Saddlebred Knock-off probably spawned the rumors of the Hagen-Renaker 5-gaiter mentioned in the Durham Steel Stallions post.

Models and pictures owned by Pam Pramuka and used here by permission.

Birthday Week - Footnotes: Heavy Metal - Stablemate Knock-Offs: Durham Steel Stallions

The following models are the results of copyright infringement due to the unlawful production of certain Stablemate and Hartland molds by a third party, which is wrong. That being said, let's look at some really cool fake Stablemates!

Some time around 1977²¹, model horse enthusiasts began noticing some interesting horse-shaped objects in their local stores such as Kmart²², Woolworth²³, Skaggs drugstores ²⁴, and Kresge's²⁵.

These Stablemate-sized models, mounted on blister cards blazoned with the name Durham Steel Stallions, all three looked quite familiar. They were in fact copies of Breyer's G1 Thoroughbred Mare and G1 Morgan Stallion. The third model was shown on the back of the packaging as a G1 Quarter Horse Mare, but the actual model produced looked more like Hartland's Tinymites Morgan.²⁶ They weren't exact copies as there were a few tiny changes to each mold, but their provenance was clear.

The original molds
Hartland Tinymite Morgan, Breyer G1 Morgan Stallion, Breyer G1 Thoroughbred Mare

Birthday Week - Footnotes: Fun with Colours...and Graphs, Part V

If you're just joining us, check out the first post for explanations and clarifications on the colour graphs.

And now, in conclusion, we have Generation One, in total, broken down by colour.

Birthday Week - Footnotes: Fun with Colours...and Graphs, Part IV

If you're just joining us, check out the first post for explanations and clarifications on the colour graphs.