WWII US Marine Raider BAR Gunner - Bougainville 1943

The Marine Raiders played a key role in the Allied campaign on Bougainville during World War II, conducting aggressive jungle patrols and combat operations against entrenched Japanese forces in late 1943 and early 1944. Operating in difficult terrain marked by dense rainforest, steep ridges, and swamps, the Raiders specialized in reconnaissance, raids, and rapid assaults designed to disrupt enemy positions and protect the Allied perimeter around Empress Augusta Bay. Their actions helped blunt Japanese counterattacks, gather vital intelligence, and secure key terrain, contributing to the eventual neutralization of Japanese forces on the island and supporting the broader Allied advance through the Solomon Islands.

This figure rounds out my existing library of WWII Marine Raiders and pairs perfectly with my prior BAR assistant gunner. Despite the Raiders being well known for their heavy adoption of BARs within every squad, original photos of BAR men in combat are rare. I've based this figure on one of the only photos known, showing several Raiders armed with BARs landing on Bougainville. This Marine features the standard P42 frogskin uniform widely used by the Raiders with the camo pattern and colors taken directly from an original uniform. He's also rocking the standard BAR gunner loadout of Marine suspenders with an Army issue BAR belt, as relatively few Marine contract BAR belts were ever made and often were procured from army supply lines. I have added a new detail of the issued Machete, hanging down the side of the leg from the belt. Machetes were particularly popular with Raiders, frequently making long patrols through dense jungle. Of course, the ever popular cigarette head makes another appearance as well, paired with a BrickArms helmet featuring both the camouflage helmet cover as well as a theatre made helmet net used by the Raider battalions.  

Editions: 

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure out of the printer. Signature by Landon Reimer, plastic protective sleeve with 1x6 display brick. 

Collectors Edition - Signature by Landon Reimer, hand numbered, plastic protective sleeve with 1x6 display brick. 

Base Model - Complete figure in hand-stamped numbered case inspired by WWII era packaging. This packaging again, is hand-stamped and is not intended to look perfect. 

• BrickArms M1 helmet with frogskin camouflage cover and theatre made net 
• Custom printed minifigure head 
• P1942 camouflage utility uniform
• N1 Boondocker field boots 
• M1942 Marine jungle boots
• P1941 suspenders 
• P2 Canteen cover 
• Early war yellow Mk2 grenade
• Early war white undershirt 
• Army issue BAR belt 
• Inside leg frogskin printing
• Holographically sealed packaging (original and collectors edition) 
• Numbered and signed 1x6 display brick (original and collectors edition) 
• Hand stamped WWII inspired packaging (base model)

Information Info: Art and printing by Lando (that’s me!) on genuine factory direct Lego minifigure elements & BrickArms headgear.

Legal Disclaimer: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.