Mike Jackson’s Hartland Photos:
General George A. Custer

Text & Photographs Copyright Mike Jackson 1998-2009

General Custer: #814
Of the generals, Custer was least common. Despite being shown on a dark horse on the box, he was shipped on a cropped mane palomino with white stockings, tail, and mane. Reliable sources also confirm that Hartland did ship Custer on a head down prancing palomino. Custer shipped with a silver sword and silver military pistol. His special saddle has US molded and painted on both sides. This saddle was also used on MacKenzie. Custer’s hat is very similar to MacKenzie’s except for the gold crossed swords molded into the front of the crown. He carries a 48 star silk flag.

Continuing in the “Historical Figures” tradition set by the Lee and Washington sets, the Custer set did not have a specific TV western tie in, though George Armstrong Custer was depicted in many movies of the period. The set first appears in the brochures in 1957 and was shown in them through 1962. By 1963, it was listed but not shown, and missing altogether in the 1964 brochures.

General Custer: #814 on Wavy Tailed Bugler
This is the most common variation. We have recently learned that Hartland made a special mold for this horse. Until then, I had assumed the manes were cut off with a band saw. This set probably had black leatherette reins and cinch strap.

General Custer: #814 on Straight Tailed Bugler
In later years, Hartland moved the figure and accessories to the newer straight tailed walking horse. Since the wavy tailed mold was still in good shape, I have no idea why they made the switch. Perhaps it was more of a random combination over a period of years?

General Custer: #814 on Head Down Prancing Bugler
Several collectors have told me they had this combination when they were kids. I’ve never seen any Hartland documentation to support it, but I am taking their words for it. At least 12 Lee Sets (MIB) have been found that have the head down prancer in white with black points. It makes sense that they might have done the same for Custer. The head down prancing Palomino was sold separately for a period of time, so they are quite a bit more common than the Lee version.
General Custer Box:
Hartland created boxes that were shared by more than one set on quite a few occasions. The front and back panels are the same as used on the General Lee sets. The box shows an unlikely meeting of the two generals, but historical accuracy on the boxes was not always Hartland’s strong point! The top, bottom, and end panels on the boxes are different.
General Custer Tag:
All three of the Generals had tags in this shape. The string is usually navy blue in color, along with the printing. Tags, in general, are hard to find, but with the popularity of this set, they are not in the hardest group.

Mold Mark
George Custer: “©Hartland Plastics, Inc.” on the back of the left glove.

Blue & Yellow US Military Saddle
All the McClellan saddles are in high demand from today’s collectors. This one is no exception. It was created originally for George Custer, but was later used with Col. Mackenzie.

Col. Ranald Mackenzie #829
Custer Hat:
Custer’s hat is almost identical to the shape of the later Mackenzie hats. Besides the blue paint, this hat also has the crossed swords on the front of the crown, painted in gold. Mackenzie hats are all white.

Custer Weapons:
This special pistol was probably shipped with all Custer sets. Original pistols of this style are fairly hard to find. The sword shown below was shared with Lee and Washington.
Custer Flag:
Original sets were shipped with delicate silk flags, sewn to bamboo posts. After 40 or so years, they are hard to find still in good shape.