Marx Battleground and Training Center Playset Pieces - Marx Short Barreled Firing Howitzer Marbled HP (2nd Marbled Version)

This is the second marbled short barreled howitzer in my collection and this one is missing the spring. The cool thing about marbled plastic toys is, because the manufacturers used leftover plastics in different colors or shades, you end up with an endless variety of patterns.  Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed 

Cleaning House: 8 Marx Playset Howitzers Plus Short Barreled Howitzer Photo Essay

Soooo, I was goin' through my boxes of junk - ummm I mean highly desirable collectibles -  and came upon the Marx stuff. I pulled out a howitzer from their 54mm playsets. Then another...

...and another

...and another

...and another

...and another

...and so on 'til I found 8 of the suckers! I ended up with four long barrel and four short barrel howitzers. I guess I had plans for them back in the day but yeah, whatever it is I wanted to do obviously didn't pan out.

I ended up trading one of the short barreled to a fb friend but before I sent it off I took my usual gang of pics. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

This howitzer measures 5 1/4" (13.33cm) L x 2 3/4" (6.98cm) W x 2 3/4" (6.98cm) H and has a spring firing mechanism. I have no shells for any of the pieces.

Marx Navarone Giant Playset Howitzer

For some reason, this was one of my favorite Little Green Army Man pieces when I was growing up. There were a couple of small howitzer variations by different manufacturer's back in the day and I just kinda liked their looks. Growing up I always had these hanging from the back of the Jeep as depicted in catalog illustrations, and that's how I photographed it here. The Howitzer measures 4 1/2" (11.43cm) L x 1 5/8" (4.12cm) W x 1 1/2" (3.81cm) H. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

The Jeep + Howitzer configuration is what I remember from catalog illustrations growing up and how I played with these as a kid. After perusing the Internet I did notice that Marx box art for the Battleground sets did show the howitzer being pulled by the Halftrack - a more likely real-life scenario. The Halftrack would also probably have been hauling the ammo needed for the gun. When looking at these photos it is clear that the Jeep probably would have struggled hauling a piece of ordnance like this gun and may have been a last resort if needed on the battlefield.

Sears 1966 Christmas Wishbook Catalog pg521 Marx Battleground Playset