I agree, the FH is likely a replica as is the mount. Any MG flash hiders that have surfaced never had ball-endmill knurl cuts towards the back end as far as I know of, although they did vary in depth and length, they were always done with radius cutters. Therefore causing a distinct, different cut.
Thanks a bunch
MastahBlastah for posting! I am very surprised at how bleak they detail this 'so-called' screen-used prop.. Other than the scope (and possible rings, which are odd to have in hand without the entirety of the mount).
Especially with so much evidence to the contrary, the Sitting Target mount clearly became the original Hero ANH mount, thus their claim of a single mount and scope being swapped between 3 Mausers is a bit hard to believe with this one considering the mount doesn't match. And the claim is very questionable when so many $$ are at stake (in their favor) for the intention of this Auction, without any proof whatsoever of their statements (as Pat
kpax previously mentioned too).
I wouldn't totally negate the possibility of multiple Mausers, since we already know factually (from the great efforts within this thread and the members of the RPF, first off from Pat (
kpax) studying the Naked Runner prop and seeing multiples & also confirmed by other members here with The Sweeney and R&H Mauser, that there are at least Two NR Mausers in existence with the same modifications prior to ANH, though different. But doubtful that a second was even needed, due to low amount of screen-time and only a single scene requiring it to fire blanks.
It could be possible that the memory of the prop is mistaken and being confused with the Hero ANH vs. the other live-firing Mausers used in ESB or ROTJ, films which may have had multiples used...but, who knows..
They stated that there was only one scope and mount shared between the 3(?), so it's a bit saddening that many people out there bidding simply have not been made aware of the research that has been accomplished that can prove that's not the Hero prop at all, nor the parts attached other than the scope and possibly the rings.
At best, the Mauser on auction may be the 'other' Naked Runner Mauser that was present in the close-up shots of the film, which doesn't match the ANH Hero, Sweeney or R&H pistol whatsoever...So, buyer beware.
-Carson