Paladin #866

Text & Photographs Copyright Mike Jackson 1998-2008
“Have Gun, Will Travel” originally aired in the fall of 1957. The special hang tag notes the copyright of 1958, so he was probably introduced sometime in that year. He made his first appearance in the brochures in 1959 and was one of the last figures still being produced in 1963. Paladin generally rides a Semi-Rearing white horse with black mane and tail, however there are three slight variations.
Paladin was introduced at a time when many sets were probably getting silver pistols, but in later years, I think he got the brown one as standard issue. Some of the sets were packaged with a rifle, though I don’t know the percentage. Regardless of whether the set was packaged with a rifle, they all shipped with a black rifle holed saddle.

Paladin was often termed “The Man in Black”, though Hartland painted him in navy blue. The TV show was in black and white, so it showed up as black. I’ve heard the blue helped make the black holster show up better in the film, but who knows? Read much more about “Have Gun, Will Travel” by clicking here.
 
The Hartland sculptors did a great job of capturing the likeness of Richard Boone. They also created a standing Gunfighter of this set, #766.
 
Detail Shots of Rifleman and Paladin Mold
This photo was made available by the new owners at Hartland Collectibles, LLC. This was a combo mold holding both Rifleman and Paladin, along with their normal accessories and an extra hat each. Historical Molds Page.
 
Paladin Variations

Paladin on Semi-Rearing white horse, full mane, wavy tail, black points
This would have been the earlier version of the group. The horse mold was shared with Cochise, Cheyenne, Brave Eagle, and other. Over the years, many sets introduced on the wavy tailed horse were moved to the slender tailed version.

Paladin on Semi-Rearing white horse, full mane, slender tail, black points
This version seems to be about as common as the wavy tailed version, but that’s just a random observation. As stated earlier, many riders were shifted up to this newer horse.

Paladin on Semi-Rearing white horse, mane down, slender tail, black point
This variation is quite a bit harder to find than the mane up versions, maybe even worthy of the rest of the star above. In early 1960, Hartland created the mane down mold, and several sets which normally had full mane horses temporarily switched to this horse. That happened in roughly 1961.
 
Paladin Printed Information
Paladin Box:
Many collectors call this the Crystal Palace box. That’s the name on the saloon in the painting. Hartland used this box on many of the later sets. In many cases, the sets got their own special lettering on the front and flaps, as shown here.

Boxes Page
Paladin Tag:
This is the largest of the Hartland tags and is quite hard to find! It resembles the calling card Paladin would have used on the show. The same tag was shipped with most Paladin Gunfighters.

Tags Page
Paladin Brochure Photo:
If you look closely, it appears that this set does show a rifle in the rifle boot of the saddle. This photo appeared in 1959 and was used until the end. It is difficult to be certain, but this looks like the slender tailed horse. Brochures Page
 
Chart of TV Show and Related Information
Figure
Number		 Show Name Star’s Name Figure’s Name Studio Name Show Years Brochure Years
866
Paladin		 Have Gun, Will Travel Richard Boone Paladin CBS 1957-
1963		 1959-1963
*With a little help from “Total Television” by Alex McNeil 1996, 4th Edition
 
Mold Marks:
Paladin figure: “Columbia Bdcstg, Sytm, Inc” on the back of the left arm.
 
Paladin Accessories
Paladin Pistol
Some of the earliest sets might have shipped with a silver pistol, but I am almost certain that most later sets used a brown or black pistol.

Weapons Page
Paladin Rifle (Optional)
The brochure photo seems to show this rifle, but I am not absolutely positive that every set got one. Additionally, some may have been shipped with the smaller Winchester rifle.
Paladin Saddle
Many of the new sets introduced in1957, or after, received the rifle holed saddle. The same mold was used for Hoby Gilman, except his was molded in brown. Check out the “Historical Molds” page to see the actual mold having four of this saddle in it!

Saddles Pages
Paladin Hat
Generally speaking, hats for the Paladin horse and rider sets are the same as the hats used for the Paladin standing gunfighter. The blue color matches his outfit. There are several minor variations including the emblem on some being off-centered. Most are marked with a P inside.
Hats Pages
 
This page last modified Friday, October 19, 2007