T-Bone - Prison Outfit (Samurai Helmet / Bone Accessory)
adv045 · Adventurers
Orient Expedition · 2003 - Released during the final wave of the Adventurers theme.
Figure ID
adv045
Theme
Adventurers
Year Released
2003 - Released during the final wave of the Adventurers theme.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare. While the theme was popular, this specific Prison version appeared in only one mid-sized set.
Head
Yellow head with black eyebrows, side-looking eyes, a menacing grin with bared teeth, and a 5 o'clock shadow stubble print. Topped with a dark gray Samurai helmet (Kabuto) and a white bone accessory through the helmet clip.
Torso
Light gray torso featuring a prison jacket with lapels, a striped shirt underneath, and the prisoner ID '319' printed on the right chest. Features back printing of the jacket fold lines.
Legs
Solid light gray unprinted legs with a light gray hip piece.
Accessories
Includes a light gray Samurai helmet and a white animal bone piece. In the original set, he was often equipped with a katana or spear.
Color Scheme
Primarily Light Gray with yellow skin accents. The monochrome outfit reflects his status as a prisoner/thug.
Printing Details
Pad-printed torso with sharp detail on the buttons and prisoner ID. The head detail for the stubble is a classic early 2000s dot-pattern print.
Variants
Standard 'T-Bone' (adv042) features blue legs and a different torso. This 'Prison' variant/outfit is specific to the Scorpion Palace set.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include the clip on the samurai helmet which can snap if the bone is forced. Stubble printing on the head is prone to rubbing off over time.
Estimated Value
Used Complete: $8 - $12 USD. New/Mint: $20+ USD. Prices vary based on the tightness of the helmet clip.
Price (New)
Originally included in set 7418 (Scorpion Palace) which retailed for $29.99 USD in 2003.
Compatible Sets
7418 Scorpion Palace, 7418-2 Scorpion Palace (with Orient Expedition Board Game).
Character Background
T-Bone is a henchman for Lord Sam Sinister (Baron von Barron), acting as an antagonist to Johnny Thunder during the Quest for the Golden Shield in the Orient Expedition storyline.
Design Notes
The use of the bone accessory in the samurai helmet was a creative 'barbarian' or 'thug' aesthetic choice unique to this sub-theme's villains.
Similar Minifigures
Lord Sam Sinister (adv041), Dragon Fortress Guardian (adv046), and City Prisoners from the same era (e.g., cty0011).
Collectibility
High for 'Adventurers' completionists. The Orient Expedition line is highly nostalgic for early 2000s collectors, and villain variants are particularly desired.
History
Part of the 2003 expansion of the Adventurers world which moved from Egypt and the Amazon to Asia (India, China, Tibet).
Interesting Facts
The prisoner ID '319' is a recurring number in early LEGO themes, appearing on various prisoner torsos across Town and Adventurers sets.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a temple or dungeon MOC alongside Lord Sinister and Maharaja Lallu to recreate the Scorpion Palace scene.
Modification Potential
The torso is excellent for custom 'Old School' prison scenes or 1930s-era street thug MOCs.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential 2000s villain. Its unique combination of a standard City-style prison torso with an Asian-inspired helmet makes it a quirky and essential piece for Orient Expedition fans.