Gimli (Plain Legs)
lor003 · The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings · 2012, debuting in the initial wave of sets based on Peter Jackson's cinematic trilogy during a major resurgence of licensed themes for LEGO.
Figure ID
lor003
Theme
The Lord of the Rings
Year Released
2012, debuting in the initial wave of sets based on Peter Jackson's cinematic trilogy during a major resurgence of licensed themes for LEGO.
Rarity
Rare, due to being discontinued for over a decade and exclusive to only one major retail set from the original 2012 line.
Head
Light nougat flesh tone with a stern, determined facial expression featuring brown eyebrows and white pupils, designed to be covered almost entirely by Gimli's massive specialized beard and hair combo piece.
Torso
Olive green inner tunic with dark brown leather straps and silver buckle printing on the front, dark brown printing representing leather backing and tunic contours, plain dark green arms, and light flesh hands.
Legs
Plain dark bluish gray standard short legs, featuring the classic articulated hip piece utilized for dwarf and child characters in early 2010s licensed themes.
Accessories
Includes a reddish-brown long spear with a dark bluish gray spear tip, a black ceramic mug or cup held in hand, and a massive dual-molded dark orange/reddish brown hair and braided beard piece that extends down over the torso.
Color Scheme
Earthy tones including dark bluish gray, olive green, dark brown, and a striking dark orange for his iconic braided beard and hair.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the torso front featuring crisp details on the leather lacing; simple, clean face printing largely hidden by the specialized hairpiece.
Variants
Gimli appears with plain legs in his initial 2012 release and received updated printing variations in later sets like The Mines of Moria, but this specific configuration is tied to his earliest appearance.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include scratching on the glossy dark orange beard piece, dust accumulation in the recessed beard crevices, and potential loosening of the short leg hip joints.
Estimated Value
Used complete condition ranges from $20 to $35 USD, while pristine new condition can command $45+ USD depending on marketplace demand and completeness of accessories.
Price (New)
Originally available in 2012 within a set retailing for $119.99 USD, representing a standard high-tier licensed set price point for the era.
Compatible Sets
Appears in set 9473 The Mines of Moria released in 2012.
Character Background
Gimli, son of Glóin, is a fictional dwarf character from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium and a key member of the Fellowship of the Ring, known for his fierce loyalty, combat prowess with an axe, and comedic rivalry with Legolas.
Design Notes
Features a specialized one-piece combination hair and extra-long braided beard element that covers the entire front torso, which was an engineering milestone for dwarf minifigures at the time.
Similar Minifigures
Other members of the Fellowship of the Ring from the 2012 line such as Aragorn, Legolas, Frodo Baggins, and Boromir.
Collectibility
High collectibility driven by intense nostalgia for the original 2012 LEGO Lord of the Rings theme and strong demand from Middle-earth completionist collectors.
History
Introduced in 2012 when LEGO successfully re-secured the Tolkien license, marking the definitive first generation of LEGO Lord of the Rings minifigures before the theme went on hiatus.
Interesting Facts
Gimli's massive beard element completely obscures his torso print from the front when attached, meaning the detailed tunic printing is almost entirely hidden during standard display.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a dark gray or rocky custom baseplate alongside other Fellowship members, ideally posed with an axe or spear inside a brick-built Mines of Moria diorama.
Modification Potential
Highly compatible with custom purist modifications using standard dwarf accessories, custom printed arms, or upgraded dual-molded legs from later LEGO themes.
Overall Assessment
An absolute must-have classic licensed minifigure boasting iconic specialized molds and strong secondary market appreciation for any serious collector of Tolkien memorabilia.