ANH Hero DL-44 Discussion - Three ANH Greeblies Found

I came across something interesting (and slightly heartbreaking) while doing some research on C96s the other day. The gentleman who owned this C96 apparently experienced a failure due to a bent firing pin that got stuck in the fwd position, which apparently put all the stress of firing into the bolt. This in turn cracked the upper where the bolt would slam forward, right about where we see Carson's Lump on the Hero prop.

I wonder if the Hero's upper experienced some kind of similar failure in the same location, and Carson's Lump was indeed the leftover weld? Just something to think about.

broomhandle (3).JPG


broomhandle (1).JPG


broomhandle (4).JPG


broomhandle (5).JPG


broomhandle (9).JPG
 
Happy 2/22/22!

Here's a couple more, note the lack of a centered barrel-greeblie of any sort. The lone-antenna is likely there, just not visible due to lighting/contrast and the scope being in the way...as usual, haha.

..also note the 'possible' antenna stem in the 2nd photo? Very dark to tell for sure, but there seems to be something breaking the reflection there.


-Carson

2C830671-4CD6-4CE6-BE0B-F0DF13F71806.jpeg


E1784A56-DC74-4BFD-8D0F-B32B90C412C0.jpeg
 
Wow.... thank you!
I'd like to point out, in all of these shots, Han's buckle does not look like a flat piece of metal. Either the edges have been rounded, with streaks rubbed in, or it's like wrapped in dull silver tape or something.... weird
 
Perhaps it's just me, but these images make the scope mount look as if it was deep blued, not painted... Also, these are post production images? The weathering of the crossbar seems to match the Chronicles images.

1.jpeg


2.jpeg
 
Oh boy. I know I'm stirring up trouble. I know its blurry. But I definitely see a right angle here, a box shape, instead of a dovetail on the mount. Just like that black and white shot.

Screenshot_20220223-194251_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20220223-194255_Chrome.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220223-194255_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20220223-194255_Chrome.jpg
    190.1 KB · Views: 79
  • Screenshot_20220223-194251_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20220223-194251_Chrome.jpg
    213.1 KB · Views: 83
Oh boy. I know I'm stirring up trouble. I know its blurry. But I definitely see a right angle here, a box shape, instead of a dovetail on the mount. Just like that black and white shot.

View attachment 1549732
View attachment 1549729

You must not forget WHY the Hero's crossbar is scraped the way it is; from the dovetail scraping against it as it was slid from side to side. If the mount was square shaped like the PS blaster, then not only would that not provide any structural support, but it would also simply lift away from the crossbar instead of needing to be slid to either side.

42204-sittingtarget_teaser.jpg


blaster dovetail crossbar copy.jpg
 
You must not forget WHY the Hero's crossbar is scraped the way it is; from the dovetail scraping against it as it was slid from side to side. If the mount was square shaped like the PS blaster, then not only would that not provide any structural support, but it would also simply lift away from the crossbar instead of needing to be slid to either side.

View attachment 1549767

View attachment 1549768
That is a very good point. I've always noticed that the scratches (especially the deepest gouge) match the widest point of the dovetail and not the smallest unfortunately.

But you're right, it wouldn't need to be slid left or right if it was. The knob would be different, a threaded socket and not tension too, but that's irrelivent.

I hope we get an explanation of that artifact someday.
 
I would suggest removing and holstering the gun, especially during action scenes during the film, could eventually cause the knob to loosen and for the scope riser/cradle to slide forward and rearward. It is also possible the dovetail on the riser/cradle has a slight relief and is not perfectly flat on the backside which would explain less paint scraping on the edges.
 
Ya that photo from Sitting Target kind of puts the dovetail to rest. But if there is anything we’ve learned with this prop it’s to expect the unexpected right..
 
It doesn't put it to rest for me, if we have pictures of the filming prop that show something different, which we do, it's worth keeping an eye on.

Also the deep grooves in the mount, roughly 1/16 or a few mm from the edge, line up with the widest point of the dovetail, not the smallest portion that would be against the bar, if that makes sense.

The pic from sitting target doesn't fully prove the filming prop was in the same condition, or that artifacts we can see on the filming prop are not real. I think there's a gap in our knowledge. Just asking folks to keep an open mind, you really never know with Star Wars props. We were very wrong about the V2 lever "tooth" artifact we saw but we were also proven very wrong on the Hoth DL44 bracket mount and the Barbican saber being from ANH.
 
the crossbar paint scrapes and gouges would not look the way it does without the dovetail mount.
I made this drawing a long time ago to illustrate the fact.

Try it yourself. Loosen the knob, slide the mount side to side on the dovetail. The "slop" or tolerance of the gaps allow the mount to tip or wobble and contact the painted aluminum crossbar making the famous pattern.

When disassembling for cleaning or adjustment, the center knob is loosened and the mount slid to either side. In a hurry and "forgetting" that side thumbnuts need to be removed to get the mount off, the mount stops at the edge of the side nuts making the gouges. Whoops.



Can't get that pattern with a wide flat attachment.


Marisa Tomei Movie GIF


1645729047270.png
 
Last edited:
While of course I think that it's important to keep an open mind, I think the dovetail issue is something that has been sorted out in the past.

There is also the fact that Scott noticed one of the Imperial Officers using Han's Hero prop as their own sidearm, just with the scope mount removed. The dovetail is clearly still mounted to the crossbar with screws, which means the scope mount also had the dovetail relief to attach to it.

Screen Shot 2020-06-22 at 1.53.06 PM.png
 
While of course I think that it's important to keep an open mind, I think the dovetail issue is something that has been sorted out in the past.

There is also the fact that Scott noticed one of the Imperial Officers using Han's Hero prop as their own sidearm, just with the scope mount removed. The dovetail is clearly still mounted to the crossbar with screws, which means the scope mount also had the dovetail relief to attach to it.
Also explains why the scrapes may be there. Proof that the scope was removed for this repurposing.

Can clearly see the rear thumbnut and dovetail with screw.

Thanks to you and Scott !

blaster crossbar detail.jpg
 
Also, have a look. Not a great image but...

In this shot it "looks" like the sight button may be missing here. Looks more like the empty socket image than the checkered button to my eye anyway.

blaster sight button missing.jpg
 
Forgot about those screenshots, that is quite a wide rectangle.

So, if this is settled, then what do people say about the things I've pointed out? (instead of offering different facts. I've already pointed out how the scrapes don't exactly line up, and there are now 2 photos that might show a rectangle where we should see a dovetail.

And yes, I've seen that drawing and have it saved, and am using that in my discussion.
 
Back
Top