While perusing the interwebs, I found another American action figure line that appears to predate even the Adventure People. Apparently produced first in 1973-1974, the Little Legends of the West series by Excel are 4 inch tall figures based on American Old West personalities. It’s not totally clear, but it looks to me like the first figures are not jointed at the hips and knees, while later figures are. I am amazed that decades-old history is still being uncovered. Here’s a carded Buffalo Bill Cody, via eBay:
For an exhaustive look at this early small format action figure toy line, check out Colonel Raines’ Toy Chest.
If 1973, this predates even microman in Japan which was 74. Apples & oranges, but both fruit are 3.75” 😜
Or close…