What do these two parts have in common? Both have been issued by Geobra in two different forms (i.e. created with different molds) without changing the part number/ETN.
The sword in question is the one described in PlaymoDB as ‘Sword, guard curves away from blade’ which comes in five known part numbers;
30 21 8492 (black) found in set 4869 only
30 03 1590 (dark metal) found in 18 sets
30 09 1840 (gold) found in 16 sets
30 21 8340 (gold) found only in sets 3841 and 4534
30 07 6420 (light grey) – could also be described as silver- found in 130 sets
Earlier versions of this sword did have one guard curving up towards the hand grip, as well as one guard perpendicular to the blade, forming a cross. See the top row of swords in the picture below.
In more recent (and current) sets, this sword is issued with two parallel guards, both perpendicular to the blade (as in the lower row of swords in the picture above).
What I find interesting is that the same part numbers were used despite the change in the mold and an obvious change in the shape of the sword. I have no idea why Geobra changed the sword (perhaps the curved-up guard gets in the way of some other accessories like greaves or gloves?), but it is clear from box pictures and building instructions (where part number is listed next to the part) that no change in the part number was made, which seems out of keeping with Geobra’s normal practice.
The same thing (change of mold, no change of part numbers) happened with the ‘pony tail at back (no hat)’ hair. Later versions of this hairstyle have a thicker ponytail and it seems likely this was to prevent the ponytails snapping off (the earlier version was vulnerable to this); pictures below.
[The two ponytails shown both have part number 30 08 8680. Both brown versions of this hair have the part number 30 09 0700. The older blond version is 30 03 3060 but the newer version (which does exist) has a part number which is currently unknown.]
I know not everyone finds such things as part numbers interesting, but these two cases puzzle me. There are many examples where Geobra have reissued a part, identical to an older part, with a completely different part number. In several of the Spare Parts orders I have made, staff have substituted a part with a different number (but otherwise identical) where the part I ordered has been discontinued. So I can’t see why they have changed these parts without giving the new versions different numbers. There may well be other examples of such a situation.
