Authentic vs Replica ST:TNG Cobra Head Phaser

[JCaruso]

Hi,
Another set of questions for the master prop collectors...
I was wondering if you could review the information about this "Cobra Head" Phaser.

QUESTIONS:
(1) Is this a replica Cobrahead phaser, or an authentic prop made by Paramount and used during the filming of STNG?
(2) What features allow you to determine if it is a replica or authentic piece?
(3) Who may have built this?
(4) What is the approximate age of the item?
(5) What is the approximate value?

Approximate dimensions
Overall Length: 20.5 cm (tip to tail)
Overall Width: 5.5 cm (at widest point)
Overall Height: 4.5 cm (at widest point)
Weight: 3.9 oz

Two intensity adjustment buttons
Length: 1.3 cm
Width: 9 mm

Trigger button
Length: 1.6 cm
Width: 9 mm

NOTES:
No electronics, and none of the 3 buttons are depressible.
Frontal and side-view X-ray images provided.
Thanks!

 

[JCaruso]

Side view X-ray image

 

[masterjedi322]

I’m no expert but my two cents - the general shape and contours seem to match my Rodd.com cobra head phaser, which was supposedly made from the same masters as the screen used props with some slight modifications (like the removable panel on the underside to house electronics). The blue detailing under and inside the emitter also seem to match.

A few things that give me pause on where it’s production-made are the glossy finish and the detailed panels that seem to be a different color than the main body…

So a few possibilities:

• A modified Rodd.com kit
• A fan-painted production-made piece
• A repaint of a screen-used piece
• A fan-painted recast of a screen-used out production-made piece

HMS Mike might be able to tell you better.

Sean

 

[firstmark]

Who is selling it and who did they say they got it from? Do they have other things to help verify this? This seem more important questions to ask.

 

[Vaderman]

HMS Mike would know, and the Roddenberry.com ones are from the same molds, etc. The paint on that one looks a little ham-handed for production. They were made nicely and would get beat up, but started out looking nice enough for a hero shot, generally. Absolutely if they also had electronics in them.

So, did you just join to verify some purchases you made? Or are you gathering data to make replicas?