Jango Fett (Balaclava Head)
sw0053 · Star Wars
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones · 2002; released alongside the premiere of Attack of the Clones, marking one of the earliest high-detail licensed minifigures.
Figure ID
sw0053
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
2002; released alongside the premiere of Attack of the Clones, marking one of the earliest high-detail licensed minifigures.
Rarity
Very Rare; exclusively found in a single high-priced retired set and featuring several unique discontinued elements.
Head
Standard black 'Balaclava' head piece with printed dark blue helmet/visor design. The eyes are visible through the visor slit, a common design for early bounty hunters.
Torso
Sand Blue torso with silver armor plates, dark brown flight suit details, and a utility belt. Back printing is absent, consistent with early 2000s design standards.
Legs
Sand Blue legs with plain hips; no printing on the legs. This is the primary way to distinguish the original from modern variants.
Accessories
Includes a metallic silver Mandalorian helmet with a dark blue visor print and a light bluish gray rangefinder (antennae). Traditionally carries two chrome silver blasters.
Color Scheme
A distinctive combination of Sand Blue, Silver, and Dark Blue. Sand blue was a relatively new and rare color at the time of release.
Printing Details
Pad-printed armor and helmet. Features high-contrast silver ink. Printing is simplified compared to modern standards but regarded as iconic for its era.
Variants
This is the 'Balaclava' version. A later 2013 version (sw0468) features significantly more detail, leg printing, and a realistic flesh-toned face.
Condition Notes
Prone to wing-clip breakage on the helmet and denting on the sand blue torso. Chrome blasters often suffer from 'chrome loss' where the silver finish peels.
Estimated Value
Ranges from $250 to $450 USD for a used version in good condition; New/Sealed value is tied heavily to the set value ($1,000+).
Price (New)
Originally included in set 7153 Jango Fett's Slave I, which retailed for $50.00 USD in 2002.
Compatible Sets
7153 Jango Fett's Slave I (2002).
Character Background
The legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter and genetic template for the Grand Army of the Republic, first seen in Attack of the Clones.
Design Notes
One of the first minifigures to use metallic silver ink extensively on the torso. The Sand Blue color remains a favorite among MOC builders.
Similar Minifigures
Boba Fett (sw0002), Jango Fett (sw0468), and the classic Cloud City Boba Fett (sw0107) for collectors of high-value Mandalorians.
Collectibility
Extreme; it is a 'holy grail' figure for Star Wars collectors due to the popularity of the character and the rarity of the set it appeared in.
History
Launched the 'Mandalorian' sub-collection of minifigures. It remained the only Jango Fett version for 11 years until the 2013 update.
Interesting Facts
The rangefinder on the helmet is often lost because it was one of the first small, detachable accessory pieces of its kind in the Star Wars line.
Display Suggestions
Should be displayed in a UV-protected acrylic case. It looks best inside the cockpit of the 2002 Slave I or on a custom Naboo-themed stand.
Modification Potential
Rarely modified due to high value; however, some collectors swap the black head for a modern Temeura Morrison flesh head.
Overall Assessment
A 10/10 collector's piece. While it lacks the detail of modern figures, its status as the 'original' Jango Fett makes it a crown jewel for any collection.