Robot Pistol TG-117 : Part 1 (Versions 1-4)

Transformable TG-177 Robot Pistol - Part 1
Astro Magnum Knockoff
"Made in Taiwan"

"Can someone help me identify my gray colored Shockwave?"

We frequently see posts like this online. 9 out of 10 times, well meaning individuals will default to suggesting it must be "Galactic Man (Shackwave)" from Radio Shack, simply because it is gray colored.

The primary focus of this visual guide is to help the collecting community expand their understanding on the vast amounts of Astro Magnum mold variants that exist and to help them successfully ID figures. 95% of variants are gray. Of those, a huge majority are in fact "Robot Pistol TG-117" and not (Galactic Man).

Robot Pistol has at least nine known box variants. This post, Part 1, will focus on (V1-V4). Part 2 will focus on (V5-V9). (Click here for Part 2)

"TG-117" was supplied & distributed by Tai Fong Electric Co., LTD of Taipei Taiwan. Tai Fong released a variety of transformable robots like: TS-666 Traxtor - Robotic Missle Landcruiser, TS-558 Robotic Radio & TS-336 5-in-1 Convertible Fighter. In addition Tai Fong released a variety of laser guns & robots with the prefix of 'TG'. Tai Fong released: TG-107 B/O Space Gun, TG-108 Intergalactic Hunter Gun & TG-113 B/O Cosmo Phenix.

TG-113 Cosmo Phenix space pistol - Tai Fong

TG-107 Cosmo Phenix space gun - Tai Fong

This post will focus on TG-117 Robot Pistol which was released in 1985. This was the same time period that Shockwave hit the market.

The images above & below come from the 1985 Tai Fong toy dealer catalog. Here we see the use of 'TG-117' Robot Pistol. It appears that Tai Fong licensed the mold to Astro Magnum and produced it themselves. Tai Fong lists their factory at: No.2, lane 468, Sec 2. Chien Shing Road, Shing Feng Hsiang, Hsin Chu Taiwan, R.O.C.

Note: "Unavailable in the states, as copyright involved" <<<Transformers Shockwave
While Tai Fong started off by releasing TG-117 outside of the USA, it eventually made its way to the states nonetheless.

In addition, we see a very interesting small glimpse of what almost appears to be a prototype drawing for TG-118 Robot Pistol a figure that looks very similar to TG-117 but on a slightly smaller scale. Note the barrel tip looks different from TG-117.

PREVIEW of Tai Fong TG-117 boxes (V1-V8)

(V9) not pictured here. See Part 2

Transformable TG-117 Robot Pistol, per it's box, has 4 modes. They include:
1. Single Barrel
2. Double Barrel
3. Laser Gun
4. Astro Magnum

Astro Magnum is TG-117 in robot mode. In a few variants, the term Astro Magnum was substituted for 'Astroid Blaster' (spelled wrong vs. Asteroid Blaster). 

Box also reads: 2 Space sounds with flashing lights. For ages 3 and up. Uses one 9V(006P) battery (not included)

Photo Credit: RoboPlastic Apocalypse
Playland advertisement: 12/9/84

Photo Credit: RoboPlastic Apocalypse
Eckerd Drug advertisement: 12/2/84

9 box variants (V1-V9)
The following variants are listed in chronological order based on their release dates as can best be determined by the figure, instruction and box modifications.

(V1-V4) = BOX VERSIONS WITH THE EARS DOWN

(V1)
(V1) Robot Pistol TG-117:  Blank bottom right corner

Photo Credit: SSJ Rodimus

Of all the boxes, this is the simplest and cleanest TG-117 Robot Pistol box. The bottom right corner is left blank while other versions typically have graphics there. The box does not mention that it was "Made in Taiwan", other versions eventually will. Notice that the figure photography on the box has the 'ears down' to the side of the head.

 Box features an almost cloudy gray with main blue streak.
Figure's right leg and the right edge of the 'L' in Pistol line up.

Photo Credit: SSJ Rodimus

This is the first release of TG-117 Robot Pistol figure (F1). The figure photography used on boxes (V1-V4) are all of the (F1) figure. Very few pictures exist of the (V1) box or the (F1) figure.

Example 2 of a (V1) box and (F1) Figure with broken off cannon tip.

Photo Credit: DX Robo

Example 3:
Sound switch is a shallow 'V'. Sound switch label reads "BULCAN - MAGNUM" similar to an original licensed Astro Magnum. (V1 & V2) are the only variants of TG-117 with "BULCAN - MAGNUM" on the sound switch.

 

(V2)
(V2) Robot Pistol TG-117:  Yellow "Die-casting" Triangle

(V2) Notice the figure's ears/antennas are still pointed in the 'downward' position.
Box continues to feature an almost cloudy gray with main blue streak.
Figure's right leg and the right edge of the 'L' in Pistol still line up.

 

(V2) TG-117 displays a distinct yellow triangle in the bottom right corner of the box which reads, "DIE-CASTING".

 

Battery cover has a "MADE IN TAIWAN" gold sticker.
Second sticker below reads, " BATTERY ENERGY Pull UP".

Sound switch is a shallow 'V'. Sound switch label reads "BULCAN - MAGNUM" similar to an original licensed Astro Magnum. (V1 & V2) are the only variants of TG-117 with "BULCAN - MAGNUM" on the sound switch.

New, unapplied sticker sheet.

Robot Pistol did not come with factory applied stickers. Buyers were provided with an optional sticker sheet. There were no instructions as to wear the stickers should be placed, so at best buyers could look at the photography on the box and then try to mimic it.

Instructions: The Magic Robot Pistol. Graphic "Illustrat" vs. Illustration.
Instructions show the various forms for TG-117. It includes the saying, "Nike-Ajax Robot".
(Robot Fighting Gun RG-908) instructions are very similar and thus point to a connection between the two figures & the manufacture.

(V3)
(V3) Robot Pistol TG-117:  "BUY ME A BATTERY"

(V3) Notice the TG-117's ears/antennas are still pointed in the 'downward' position.
Box still features an almost cloudy gray with main blue streak like (V1 & V2)
Figure's right leg and the right edge of the 'L' in Pistol line up.

 

(V3) TG-117  Box now has white circles printed on it saying: "buy me a battery".
It also has printed: "Regular $19.99 Retail" with 795.45-8 item number.

 

Despite the printed $19.99 printed price on the boxes, both of our boxed example have a coded price tag sticker on the box bottoms. These stickers say:
795468  $12.99
*ROBOT PISTLD
184 M47 TNA or 229 M40 TNA
The last line on each sticker is some kind of unique code, meaning = unknown currently.

SIDE NOTE: These stickers also appear on the 1983 Intecs (Spark Man) boxes.
Several things lead us to believe that SPARK MAN transitioned into TG-117. A subsequent post will be made demonstrating this transition.

UPDATE: These prices stickers appear to have come from Spencer Gifts, the store found in just about every 1980s mall.

Photo Credit: Brandon Alamo - Rogue Five Toys

(V3) Figure came with a hole through the entire left hand.
Was this hole intended to hold something but then the manufacture changed their mind?
(Robot Fighting Gun RG-908) has a hole in it's hand to hold it's shield/barrel cover. RG-908's shield does not fit in TG-117 hand hole.

Hole in the hand of (V3) TG-117 Robot Pistol

A. Gold "Made in Taiwan" sticker has fallen off but the sticker residue remains.
Lower sticker reads ""POWER SOURLE - Pull Up". Notice "SOURLE" vs. SOURCE.
Classic KO spelling error.

B. The sound switch label says, THORP - MAGNOID which is a departure from BULCAN - MAGNUM. The sound switch is a shallow 'V'.

Instructions: The Magic Robot Pistol. Graphic "Illustrat" vs. Illustration.
Instructions show the various forms for TG-117. It includes the saying, "Nike-Ajax Robot".

 

(V4)
  (V4) Robot Pistol TG-117:  Red Banner "Die-casting"

(V4) Notice the figure's ears/antennas are still pointed in the 'downward' position.
Box remains the same cloudy gray with main blue streak like (V1-V3)
Unlike (V1 -V3) the photo of the figure in robot mode is smaller in scale and therefore the figure's right leg and the right edge of the 'L' in Pistol do not line up any longer.
The 'L' goes past the right leg by 1/4".
For the first time, the box now says "Made in Taiwan" on the front.

All boxes appear to have been closed with 'tape' from the side flap onto the front of the box. Note the tape residue on the photos above and below.

 

Photo Credit: Comic Alley Toys - Canada

Several examples of (V4) boxes have been found with white stickers in both French & English. These are import stickers into Montreal Quebec Canada.
"Fabriqué en Taïwan"

Please note: The figures that actually came in (V4) boxes appear to be varied.
The (V4) figure above is the most consistent of them all.

(V4) Sound switch and battery cover.

Similar to (V3):

The sound switch label says, THORP - MAGNOID. The sound switch is a shallow 'V'.

Gold "Made in Taiwan" sticker
Lower sticker reads ""POWER SOURLE - Pull Up". Notice "SOURLE" vs. SOURCE.

Again, Part 2 will focus on TG-117 Robot Pistol (V5-V9) figures.
To be continued... (CLICK HERE) for Part 2