Note: See The section on Normans for information on First Version Painting
#1 on the left is an original Second Version Hausser/Elastolin Figure (note the painted flesh)
#2 is an original Third Version of the same Hausser/Elastolin Figure (note the pink plastic flesh). Third version production is the most varied in regards to painting. Since third version was in production longer than the other versions (20 some years) it is understandable that there are differences. Basically the best way to date third version figures is to look at the degree of shading and detailing. As the years wore on and cost cutting became an issue the painting went down. Early third version had a large degree of shading and highlighting while near the end of production the figures were painted in straight colors and at times were very sloppy as quality control seemed to cease.
#3 is an Elastolin figure produced by Preiser (note the painted flesh similar to #2 but Second version Hausser production is painted with a slight gloss to it. The bottom of the base would of course show this to be a Preiser figure.)
#4 is a Continental HobbiesVersion of an Hausser/Elastolin Figure (look closely at the detail on #2 and #4 and you will see that the Continental Hobbies version has more detailing in the clothing. While actually painted nicer than the original it is not a true Hausser produced Elastolin figure)
#5 on the right is the same figure painted by a collector in Germany (The vast majority of people who paint Hausser figures do so in their own style, for their own enjoyment, but there are some who try to copy original Elastolin figures in the effort to defraud collectors. For the most part has not been a problem in th United States)
For Reference: Numbers and dates provided are from Hausser/Elastolin and taken from the book... Elastolin Kunststoff-Figuren By Andreas Pietruschka and Fritz Miller. Published 1993.
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