ROTJ Vader light saber

Isn't that an ESB saber? The ROTJ was a converted Graflex.

It looks like the ESB dueling saber with the blade removed, not the hero version worn on the belt.

Nice pic either way.

Awesome pic! I'm astounded that an MPP based saber still exists in the archives. There was a thread recently which confirmed that the MPP saber was around for ROTJ--at least in some publicity photos. The graflex based saber is generally thought to be one of the stunt sabers from ROTJ which traces its lineage back to Luke's ESB stunt at the very least.

Where did you take that picture?

I say it again--Awesome!

Dave

I find the screws in the grips interesting.

Nice picture!

Almost looks like it was positioned purposely against the background to look like Luke is holding it.

Darth Detroit said:

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I find the screws in the grips interesting.

Or they could be just nail holes left from when the tracks were installed as cabinet door railings?

Looks like screws to me. You can even see where it's compressing the rubber.

dcarty said:

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There was a thread recently which confirmed that the MPP saber was around for ROTJ--at least in some publicity photos.

I still stand by my statement that an MPP was used in the final duel. It might just have been this saber.

CeSquared said:

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Looks like screws to me. You can even see where it's compressing the rubber.

IT ... IS ... NOT ... RUBBER !

What you see is a crack in the plastic.

Darth Lars said:

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CeSquared said:

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Looks like screws to me. You can even see where it's compressing the rubber.

IT ... IS ... NOT ... RUBBER !

What you see is a crack in the plastic.

Thanks DL...sometimes I just couldn't be bothered anymore...

Definitely looks like the heads of screws to me.

Yeah looks like flat head type screws to me

d3po2u said:

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It's behind glass, so tricky to photograph...

Where was this picture taken?

Dan

defstartrooper said:

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Yeah looks like flat head type screws to me

That's what I'm seeing too.

...its just BEGGING to be restored...

This is on Display at the Hollywood Memories museum in Grantville, Pa

If it's not the actual dueling saber from ESB, it's made up to look like it.

All the ESB sabers with blades had the screws, including Lukes Graflex dueling version. It's a different screw then the SRS, but very close.

Also, all the marks or lack of paint on the shroud is from the other blade striking during the fight sequences.

I have pics somewhere, I could post if you guys wanted to see them.

James Kenobi 1138 said:

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If it's not the actual dueling saber from ESB, it's made up to look like it.

All the ESB sabers with blades had the screws, including Lukes Graflex dueling version. It's a different screw then the SRS, but very close.

Also, all the marks or lack of paint on the shroud is from the other blade striking during the fight sequences.

I have pics somewhere, I could post if you guys wanted to see them.

I would like to see the pics

Dan

Please tell us you have more pics!!!

LOL...BREATH Chris...BREEEEEEEEEEEATH.......

NOw...must find screws...

lonepigeon said:

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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's no dueling saber. That's THE ESB/ROTJ Hero prop!!!!
THE saber seen in all those ESB (red background) and ROTJ (white background) publicity stills. It's also the saber Vader wears during the carbon freeze chamber scenes.
I'm amazed it's still around.

We NEED more pics of this!!

This is the best example of a Darth Vader lightsaber ever. Most likely this was one of the original ANH sabers converted for ESB and then used in ROTJ.
It doesn't get any better than this.

The thread discussing this exact saber's use in ROTJ:
http://www.therpf.com/f9/vaders-true-rotj-saber-re-examined-36797/

Well, let me slow this down a little.

Mpp's and even Parks MPP's are pretty common, and all the information to make a Vader ESB saber has been on the web for a few years now.

Just like some people take a brand new piece of furniture and make it an 'antique', anyone with some skill, knowledge, and desire could take an MPP and dress it up to look 30+ years old.

1. Do we have good, clear photographs of the ESB/ROTJ Vader Saber?

2. Are their any identifying marks on the actual screen used saber that we can see in those pics?

3. Can we match-up any of those witness marks to this piece?

4. How long has this saber been on display? Is there any COA? Where did it come from?

5. It seems a little strange to me that a piece of LFL property is on display in a 'museum' in Grantville, Pa and this is the first we are hearing about it. Is it on loan? Does LFL know about it? Can we contact them ? (Chris?)

6. Was this from an auction (Profiles? Christies?), or a private collection?

7. Has anyone in the last 30 years seen this exact Saber? Photos from the Archives? First hand accounts?

8. Was this a fan made piece from maybe 1985 or something that was passed off as screen used and someone believes they have had a screen used piece? We see stuff like this from the Elstree don't we?

Just throwing out some ideas before we over-commit on this.

FYI - at least some of the screws are a late ESB or ROTJ additions. Reference is limited, but there is definitely not an upper screw in the grip 3rd from left in the ESB promo shots (red background).

James Kenobi 1138 said:

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Well, let me slow this down a little.

Mpp's and even Parks MPP's are pretty common, and all the information to make a Vader ESB saber has been on the web for a few years now.

Just like some people take a brand new piece of furniture and make it an 'antique', anyone with some skill, knowledge, and desire could take an MPP and dress it up to look 30+ years old.

1. Do we have good, clear photographs of the ESB/ROTJ Vader Saber?

2. Are their any identifying marks on the actual screen used saber that we can see in those pics?

3. Can we match-up any of those witness marks to this piece?

4. How long has this saber been on display? Is there any COA? Where did it come from?

5. It seems a little strange to me that a piece of LFL property is on display in a 'museum' in Grantville, Pa and this is the first we are hearing about it. Is it on loan? Does LFL know about it? Can we contact them ? (Chris?)

6. Was this from an auction (Profiles? Christies?), or a private collection?

7. Has anyone in the last 30 years seen this exact Saber? Photos from the Archives? First hand accounts?

8. Was this a fan made piece from maybe 1985 or something that was passed off as screen used and someone believes they have had a screen used piece? We see stuff like this from the Elstree don't we?

Just throwing out some ideas before we over-commit on this.

MPP's aren't that uncommon. True. The knowledge to make an ESB repro saber this precise is not common at all. I've seen very few repro sabers that could pass for screen used.

To answer your questions...
1.YES, I do have a couple.
2. YES
3. YES
4. unknown
5. I can contact LFL about this. It's not that rare for a piece to be out of Lucasfilm's hands. Many of the lightsabers are not in the archives.
6.unknown
7. unknown. I have never seen this saber in the archive photos before.
8. No way. Fan made pieces from the 80's are usually very inaccurate. Elstree does like to lie a lot.

The fact that I can answer YES to the first three questions has me very certain that is THE ESB saber. WAY too much stuff lines up for it to be a fake. I would like to see more pics of it to match up even more details.

I'm really stunned to see this saber. It's very exciting!

Yep I'm stunned too - can't believe we are actually seeing this again - are you sure the base of this prop isn't a king sol

Is this under glass or uncovered? Looks to me like its just sitting there attached to a backdrop.