I have some Death Star
figure display
stands, which came with a large collection I bought in the 90s.
This was a time when these
stands weren't really of interest to collectors, and certainly weren't worth alot of money.
These
stands have the three half circles on the back, and no circle around the peg....as seen on original
stands.

- P1220105.JPG (51.02 KiB) Viewed 1099 times

- P1220104.JPG (59.25 KiB) Viewed 1099 times
I also have some Action Force unused items, which have these
stands. These have the three half circles on the reverse, and no circle around the peg.

- P1220102.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 1099 times

- P1220101.JPG (59.13 KiB) Viewed 1099 times
However, another collector has noticed a couple of differences with the 90s bought
stands and known originals. Mainly that the sprue mark on originals is the opposite side of the peg, whereas the 90s bought ones have it the same side as the peg:

- P1220100.JPG (61.23 KiB) Viewed 1099 times

- P1220103.JPG (59.11 KiB) Viewed 1099 times
Also the peg itself is slightly different. The originals has a slightly tapered top, whereas the 90s bought ones have more rounded, dimple type top:

- P1220106.JPG (40.29 KiB) Viewed 1099 times
According to TIG:
'The only way it seems to tell (fake
stands) is by the circle that goes around the foot peg of the repro version.'

- Vintage vs repro stands.jpg (54.66 KiB) Viewed 1099 times
This circle isn't seen on the 90s bought
stands I have. Also the TIG original has the sprue mark next to the peg (not the opposite side as seen on the originals I own).
I've looked through my Action Force battle packs and all the
stands in those have the sprue mark the opposite side of the peg.
So, could these stand variations both be original but variations from different moulds...or are the 90s bought ones fakes...made very early on?
It seems odd that these
stands would be replicated at such an early date, when these
stands would not have been in demand or worth alot.
Having looked in my Action Force HQ interestingly there are four of this stand below. These have the same defects, two marks, which must have been in the mould. So that means at least two variations of these original
stands:

- P1220099.JPG (51.05 KiB) Viewed 1099 times
So, can people with known original display
stands please post whether the sprue mark is either next to the peg or the opposite side. Perhaps we can get a concensus as to whether both
stands (sprue next to peg, and sprue opposite to peg) are original...or sprue next to peg are replicas!
Hope that all makes sense and I look forward to your replies.
Thanks in advance
Lewis