Bonanza Action Figures

by American Character

From American Character, these action figures are based on Bonanza, an American western television series that aired on NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. The show ran for 14 seasons and 431 episodes. Bonanza is second only to Gunsmoke, as the longest running western television series. Still in syndication, it stars Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon and David Canary.

Here’s what you listened to in 1959!

Here’s what you watched on TV in 1959!

Here’s what you saw at the movies in 1959!

Yes, it’s the action men from Bonanza – the Cartwrights! The television commercial says they’re the greatest western toys ever. You could get:

• Little Joe – the fastest left-handed draw in the west.
• Ben – the toughest pioneer who ever rode the plains.
• Hoss – always ready for a good fight.
• The Outlaw – It is believed that Adam Cartwright was planned as a fourth action figure. When Pernell Roberts left the series in 1965, the figure dressed in black (like Adam) received a mustache and a new name: “The Outlaw”.

Adam was the oldest son, played by Pernell Roberts from 1959 to 1965. Although Adam was not included in this awesome set, you could still get “The Outlaw”. He was “the meanest desperado you ever saw!”

Also available was the trail blazing, 4-in-1 Bonanza wagon. This versatile covered wagon was capable of becoming an ore-carrying wagon, chuck wagon, or ranch wagon. Each Cartwright came with over a dozen accessories. Each horse had “Action Hooves” with ball bearings to really ride the range! You could buy Little Joe’s Pinto, Hoss’s Stallion and Ben’s big Buckskin.

The action men from Bonanza will put you right in the wild west!

Part numbers with action figure and set details are below.

Ben Cartwright, www.dollreference.com

Hoss Cartwright, www.dollreference.com

Little Joe’s Pinto, www.wigix.com

The Cartwrights . . . as well-known to every child as his own family. Ben, Hoss, Little Joe and the Outlaw, each 9″ high. With movable arms, legs and heads . . . they can stand, sit, kneel, even ride in the saddle. Each has his own horse, and you can get the sensational 4-in-1 Bonanza wagon, the greatest western wagon ever built! The Bonanza action men can be bought each packaged with his own horse.

Each action figure originally cost $4.00, each horse was $3.00. You could purchase the items in a set, action figure and horse, for $7.00.

Every horse came with the same accessories: saddle, cinch strap, saddle bags, bed roll, bridle and reins.

The print ad below incorrectly names Ben’s Buckskin horse a Palomino. The horses are: #4010 Ben’s, #4011 Little Joe’s Pinto, #4012 Hoss’s Stallion, #4013 The Outlaw’s Horse.

#4000 Ben Cartwright came with gun, holster, gun belt, rifle, hat, vest, bandanna, 2 spurs, 2 spur straps, canteen, lariat, rifle holster.

#4001 Little Joe Cartwright came with gun, left-handed holster, gun belt, rifle, hat, bandanna, 2 spurs, 2 spur straps, canteen, lariat, rifle holster.

#4002 Hoss Cartwright came with gun, holster, gun belt, rifle, hat, vest, bandanna, 2 spurs, 2 spur straps, canteen, lariat, rifle holster.

#4003 The Outlaw came with gun, holster, gun belt, rifle, hat, vest, bandanna, 2 spurs, 2 spur straps, canteen, lariat, rifle holster.

The sets are #4020 Ben and Horse, #4021 Little Joe and Horse, #4022 Hoss and Horse.

American Characters, Bonanza Action Figures Print Ad