Alleged Screen Used Hero TOS Phaser up for auction (now the aftermath)

[QuasiOdo]

HC never saw it in person? Yet they verified it?? Something else is at play in all this. Very suspicious. And what's up with the glaring handle difference compared to the Jein? Almost looks like an HMS version. Unless these "experts" cough up some solid reasons, I call BS on it.
(Who remembers the "Mystery Phaser" thread back on ASAP?

 

[genZOD]

HC never saw it in person? Yet they verified it?? Something else is at play in all this. Very suspicious. And what's up with the glaring handle difference compared to the Jein? Almost looks like an HMS version. Unless these "experts" cough up some solid reasons, I call BS on it.
(Who remembers the "Mystery Phaser" thread back on ASAP?

This whole thing hinges on the opinions of GJ and the three “trusted” mystery experts with “impeccable credentials”. We don’t know who those experts are or why they authenticated the prop. Any old prop will have inconsistencies. Until someone steps forward to provide the proof that HA claims exists, inconsistencies are all we have.

 

[USS Endeav]

HC never saw it in person? Yet they verified it?? Something else is at play in all this. Very suspicious. And what's up with the glaring handle difference compared to the Jein? Almost looks like an HMS version. Unless these "experts" cough up some solid reasons, I call BS on it.
(Who remembers the "Mystery Phaser" thread back on ASAP?

I was told by Heritage that GJ and one other person, a prop collector, not an industry recognized expert authenticated it. So, I'm not sure who HC is referring to when they state on HeroComm "...and three of his most trusted colleagues (we know who they are, and their credentials are impeccable)". Plus, I was also told by Heritage that they consulted with others well versed in TOS hand props who concurred with GJ. Care to guess of whom they are speaking?

 

[Gregatron]

I was told by Heritage that GJ and one other person, a prop collector, not an industry recognized expert authenticated it. So, I'm not sure who HC is referring to when they state on HeroComm "...and three of his most trusted colleagues (we know who they are, and their credentials are impeccable)". Plus, I was also told by Heritage that they consulted with others well versed in TOS hand props who concurred with GJ. Care to guess of whom they are speaking?

Dollars to donuts it's Gurian. That would complete this trainwreck.

 

[Borg69]

I’m going surfing with my daughter this weekend. When I get back, I’ll take a stab at using publicly available blueprints (that claim to be based on the GJ phaser) to build the shells for the hero P1 & P2 in CAD. If I can create a convincing mould (one that y’all think is believable), anybody can.

From the 60’s technical manual.

 

[JESmith]

I'm sure the story is well-known in these parts, but I haven't found a simple answer online (though I only googled for about five minutes ) -- what is the provenance of Jein's Hero Phaser?

 

[Gregatron]

From the 60’s technical manual.

The 70s technical manual, to be precise. Also highly inaccurate, being based on the low-quality photos in THE MAKING OF STAR TREK.

There are far more accurate blueprints based on the Jein to be found online.

 

[robn1]

I'm sure the story is well-known in these parts, but I haven't found a simple answer online (though I only googled for about five minutes ) -- what is the provenance of Jein's Hero Phaser?

I don't recall the details but he did acquire it from someone connected to the show, and it can be screen matched.

 

[Gregatron]

I find myself reminded of auctions past...

ORIGINAL SERIES PHASER PROP TO BE AUCTIONED OFF – REAL OR FAKE?

When a Star Trek phaser from the original series (TOS) hits the market, it's incredibly exciting to collectors like me. That's why I went a ...

wrathofdhanprops.blogspot.com

SHOOTING THE MESSENGER or HOW TO READ THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

I’ve recently been taken to task by the consignor of the Star Trek TOS Phaser that was recently offered up for auction by Profiles In Histo...

wrathofdhanprops.blogspot.com

 

[Gregatron]

I don't recall the details but he did acquire it from someone connected to the show, and it can be screen matched.

I'm fuzzy on the details, myself. John Dwyer, maybe?

At the very least, the Jein phaser shouldn't be in question. As I recall, the provenance is solid, and the screen-matching is, too.

The Jein hero first popped up during a period where information and photos were scarce, and its discovery actually helped flesh out a lot of details (the rising sight, etc.) and dimensions of the props.

 

[Borg69]

The 70s technical manual, to be precise. Also highly inaccurate, being based on the low-quality photos in THE MAKING OF STAR TREK.

There are far more accurate blueprints based on the Jein to be found online.

I can assure you my original copy claimed to come from Starfleet itself.

 

[Gregatron]

I can assure you my original copy claimed to come from Starfleet itself.

...heh.

 

[JESmith]

At the very least, the Jein phaser shouldn't be in question. As I recall, the provenance is solid, and the screen-matching is, too.

Oh, I was in no way trying to question the authenticity of the GJ Hero, I was just curious as to the background.

 

[Gregatron]

Oh, I was in no way trying to question the authenticity of the GJ Hero, I was just curious as to the background.

And I was in no way saying that you were questioning it. Just putting it out there that there shouldn't be a need to question it.



Now, the TECHNICAL MANUAL, on the other hand...that's gonna need some provenance.

 

[JESmith]

I'm relatively new to this level of collecting (and purely as an intereseted bystander, certainly can't afford any of this stuff myself), though a long-time old-skool STAR TREK fan (since the '70s), and I have been reading HeroComm for years. I assumed they were following this auction, but sent them a link anyway. Their response -- eight days ago, BEFORE their turnaround was: "Yes, we’ve seen it. A threat of legal action by the consigner has prevented us from commenting on it more openly." Given that, I was also quite shocked to suddenly see them endorsing the item.

 

[Gregatron]

I'm relatively new to this level of collecting (and purely as an intereseted bystander, certainly can't afford any of this stuff myself), though a long-time old-skool STAR TREK fan (since the '70s), and I have been reading HeroComm for years. I assumed they were following this auction, but sent them a link anyway. Their response -- eight days ago, BEFORE their turnaround was: "Yes, we’ve seen it. A threat of legal action by the consigner has prevented us from commenting on it more openly." Given that, I was also quite shocked to suddenly see them endorsing the item.

As a founding member of the Trek Prop Zone, I was privy to HeroComm's initial reactions to the auction. They felt much the same as many of us here do, and actually made a call to action to get people to speak up to HA about the many issues surrounding this piece. They understandably backed down when the threats of legal action began.

That's why their sudden turnaround was so shocking. Either they were given some inside information which convinced them, or they're relying on the whole "appeal to authority", and taking it on several unnamed experts' word that the piece is real. Which seems uncharacteristic for them, but we don't know the whole story.

 

[dbuck]

They understandably backed down when the threats of legal action began.

I’m thinking this line right here is THE reason it was suddenly ‘authenticated’.

 

[WinstonWolf359]

As a founding member of the Trek Prop Zone, I was privy to HeroComm's initial reactions to the auction. They felt much the same as many of us here do, and actually made a call to action to get people to speak up to HA about the many issues surrounding this piece. They understandably backed down when the threats of legal action began.

That's why their sudden turnaround was so shocking. Either they were given some inside information which convinced them, or they're relying on the whole "appeal to authority", and taking it on several unnamed experts' word that the piece is real. Which seems uncharacteristic for them, but we don't know the whole story.

It certainly was a surprise that they went from leading the charge to speak up about the phaser and crowdsourced the community to come up with evidence that the auction phaser didn't match other authentic props...only to completely about face without a single verifiable reason for doing so.

Honestly, whether it was legal pressure or some privately shared smoking gun proof, as far as I'm concerned their reputation took a pretty serious blow.

 

[Gregatron]

It certainly was a surprise that they went from leading the charge to speak up about the phaser and crowdsourced the community to come up with evidence that the auction phaser didn't match other authentic props...only to completely about face without a single verifiable reason for doing so.

Honestly, whether it was legal pressure or some privately shared smoking gun proof, as far as I'm concerned their reputation took a pretty serious blow.

Enough time has gone by that I have the sneaking feeling we're not gonna get any more information about the how and why of it.

 

[Gregatron]

Setting aside for a moment that certain details don’t quite line up, I do think the S & W midgrade kit bears a similarity to the auction piece, with the slope of the forehead tower and the sweep of the rear of the P2. Hmmm.

And the paint application seems to be in the same ballpark.