MPC Ringhand Modern Military Accessory group

I started to post this last week but after trying to verify which accessories were or were not actually MPC I kinda gave up. MPC has become the Rodney Dangerfield ("I get no respect") of the playset collecting hobby and there doesn't appear to have been much done in regards to researching them except by Kent Owen Sprecher of the Toy Soldier HQ. Except for the larger set pieces, it's been next to impossible to pin down the type and quantity of the smaller accessories. I've been a charter subscriber to Playset Magazine and there have been no reviews of the large playsets. They've done a few reviews and have had a few pictures posted of some of MPC's window box displays as well as some Western stuff but the large military playsets haven't seen any coverage. I don't want to say they've been ignored, but rather, it may be a case that there are no MIB sets waiting to be opened. It's those MIB sets that would give collector's a clue as to exact figure and accessory counts.

Today, at the very least, we'll show you a sampling of what may have come with those ringhand figures.  Now, just so that we are all on the same page there are a couple of caveats. What you see in the photos may be Andy Gard. Andy Gard used the same mold maker as MPC and their vehicles and accessories were very similar in appearance. So far, I know of only one item in the photos which is for sure Andy Gard. Also, some may even be Marx as part of their battlefield accessories. So take this post with a grain of salt. I do know that as a kid growing up and having a bunch of MPC that there were in fact quite a few accessories. It was a relatively inexpensive way for a toy company to 'up' the piece count in their playsets. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

Okay, literally like three minutes ago just after wrapping up this post I took a look at the instruction sheet for MPC's Battle Front playset and right there on the front page was a picture of the accessory sprue for the ringhands!!

Weapons offered in various sets were:

Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.) with bi-pod

Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.) without bi-pod (perhaps Andy Gard or Marx)

M-1 Garand Rifle

1903 Springfield Rifle

M-1 Carbine

M3 Submachine Gun (aka "Grease Gun")

Colt.45 pistol with plain grip

Colt .45 pistol with nubby grip

The life vest on the left is Andy Gard, The one on the right is MPC.
The vests are actually life preservers but kids simply used them as bullet proof vests.

A variety of belts

There were two different holster belts in my stash: a short holster and long holster version, perhaps one is Andy Gard or Marx

I also had two different canteen belts

This belt has a long ammo clip pouch but I've seen another belt with a shorter clip pouch

These belts were odd in that they were a 2-part split belt design

The belt in the middle I suspect may be Andy Gard as it has the simulated eyelets

There are two distinct Colt .45 pistols: one with plain grip, one with a nubby grip. One may be Andy Gard

I also have two distinct Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.) versions: one with removable bi-pod, one without. I believe the one with removable bi-pod is MPC original

Mi Garand Rifle

 1903 Springfield

M1 Carbine

 M3A1 Grease Gun

Last but not least, an American flag with two different colored bases. I should have posted this along with the other accessories but had to find where I put the thing and then take pics.