Saw that auction... saw the pics. Instantly thought "fake"...
Well as long as the buyer never learns, ignorance is bliss....
Graflex Variations: Facts and vs. Replica
- Thread starter scottjua
- Start date
Saw that auction... saw the pics. Instantly thought "fake"...
Well as long as the buyer never learns, ignorance is bliss....
Sym-Cha
Master Member
@ jhlawicki : The top of the telegraph G R A F L E X was also used for a Boba Fett blaster configuration if my memory recalls correctly ... it's so rare to find even if it's a 2Cell, that it is worth its weight in gold-pressed latinum 
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=225553&highlight=telegraph+graflex
Chaim
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=225553&highlight=telegraph+graflex
Chaim
Yes, as Sym-Cha has mentioned, to the right Boba Fett fan, your telegraph top is worth more than a pristine 3 Cell Graflex.
Well then. I guess its a good thing I just registered over at TDH. In the meantime, I will continue my search for a 3-Cell bottom and maybe make a nice trade with someone over there for a helmet, dented of course. Thanks everyone. I will still post some pictures of my telegraph here, just to add to the reference log. There may be parts of the 2-Cell that were used in the original prop, but I'm sure you all would have found that by now.
I think he is back now, selling just the bunny ears...without the pin. Who'd have ever thought that would happen?
I called someone out today selling a replica clamp and 3 cell bottom on eBay. I messaged him saying:
"You should accurately describe these as replica parts before you have a big problem on your hands. They are 100% replica. Not genuine."
HE respsonded with:
"I know the difference as I disassembled the graflex myself. I appreciate your concern. Thanks for looking
- throck2"
So I assumed he was not going to do anything about it, but the listing was taken down. So guys if you see a listing by this dude... take care to not get taken to the cleaners.
"You should accurately describe these as replica parts before you have a big problem on your hands. They are 100% replica. Not genuine."
HE respsonded with:
"I know the difference as I disassembled the graflex myself. I appreciate your concern. Thanks for looking
- throck2"
So I assumed he was not going to do anything about it, but the listing was taken down. So guys if you see a listing by this dude... take care to not get taken to the cleaners.
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Wolfsburg
Master Member
@ jhlawicki : The top of the telegraph G R A F L E X was also used for a Boba Fett blaster configuration if my memory recalls correctly ... it's so rare to find even if it's a 2Cell, that it is worth its weight in gold-pressed latinum
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=225553&highlight=telegraph+graflex
Chaim
In what way was the telegraph Graflex used in a EE-3? I'm not familiar with this...
It was not used on the EE-3. I believe it is used on a "Supertrooper (white Mandolorian armored preproduction version of what eventually ended up as Boba Fett)"'s blaster. That early incarnation of the character had a different and non-Webley based blaster based on an Uzi if I remember correctly, along with a non-jet back stabilizer version sweep arm base, and I think a whole Graflex tube...as well as the "telegraph" key. Other bits and greebs too, I'd assume.
I'll double check unless anyone else chimes in.
I'll double check unless anyone else chimes in.
Yeah, I am very glad they evolved to the EE-3. The Supertrooper Blaster just doesn't do it for me. I love the white armor, but the blaster...I don't know. I think it's because the Uzi, I was familiar with before I ever saw the blaster. And the Uzi is pretty iconic in form. Bapty/ILM/Lucasfilm has done an immense job masking known weapons, but it's hard to hide an Uzi.
For reference, I did check some photos of the Supertrooper blaster, and it is based on an Uzi replica, with a Graflex top tube with telegraph key, what appears to be the same sweep arm base as the jetpack stabilizer as the muzzle (imho), as well as an additional non-jetpack stabilizer sweep arm base used as a greeb on the side of the blaster, as well as other greebs.
For you toy collectors, this is the blaster used for the Supertrooper which has been recently released as the Boba Fett with Prototype Armor in the 6" Hasbro Black Series that was only available in the U.S. at Walgreens. Not sure if the toy comes with this blaster or the EE-3, but it would make more sense to include this one obviously.
I believe the side greeb sweep arm base is a 4th variation to the three Transcriptors (J A Michell) Unisweep Sweep Arm Bases chronicled expertly by Art Andrews at TDH. I ran across this possible fourth variation in a recent eBay auction. Originally it seemed that a "mid-height" base was used for this side greeb, but that would've required some cutting/lathing that may not have been necessary as the final form may have been available from a natural part.
This is derailing... Anyway, this blaster has the telegraph key and Graflex top tube (with the bunny ears, but no buttons or glass eye) as a "barrel shroud" on the Uzi replica and are all painted black.
For reference, I did check some photos of the Supertrooper blaster, and it is based on an Uzi replica, with a Graflex top tube with telegraph key, what appears to be the same sweep arm base as the jetpack stabilizer as the muzzle (imho), as well as an additional non-jetpack stabilizer sweep arm base used as a greeb on the side of the blaster, as well as other greebs.
For you toy collectors, this is the blaster used for the Supertrooper which has been recently released as the Boba Fett with Prototype Armor in the 6" Hasbro Black Series that was only available in the U.S. at Walgreens. Not sure if the toy comes with this blaster or the EE-3, but it would make more sense to include this one obviously.
I believe the side greeb sweep arm base is a 4th variation to the three Transcriptors (J A Michell) Unisweep Sweep Arm Bases chronicled expertly by Art Andrews at TDH. I ran across this possible fourth variation in a recent eBay auction. Originally it seemed that a "mid-height" base was used for this side greeb, but that would've required some cutting/lathing that may not have been necessary as the final form may have been available from a natural part.
This is derailing... Anyway, this blaster has the telegraph key and Graflex top tube (with the bunny ears, but no buttons or glass eye) as a "barrel shroud" on the Uzi replica and are all painted black.
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After my last message to him he said "you can f right off anytime"
so he knows he's a d hole.
Serenity
Master Member
He just changed his eBay name to vavader.
Considering he builds sabers and has a Vader chest box for sale, I'm guessing he's a member here or at one of the sites.
As promised from earlier this week, here is my 2-Cell telegraph style Graflex. The calculator buttons are incorrect but as I said in an earlier post, this was from several years ago, I have since learned my lesson and will be looking for the more accurate parts from now on. It still looks good though.
I also just picked up this vintage 3-Cell a few days ago (6/19) and it came with the original Graflex camera, so I know it's authentic, but I did double check with this thread, just to be safe.
There is some wear and a name scratched into the surface so if anyone has any ideas on how to fix that please let me know. I have taken some time and cleaned up the 3-cell so it looks more or less the same as my 2-Cell.
It appears to be a later model Graflex with the dots inside the bulb housing as well as with the curved and polished eye glass frame. I apparently cannot add any more pictures here but I will make an album on my page and you can look at them there, hopefully.
I also just picked up this vintage 3-Cell a few days ago (6/19) and it came with the original Graflex camera, so I know it's authentic, but I did double check with this thread, just to be safe.
There is some wear and a name scratched into the surface so if anyone has any ideas on how to fix that please let me know. I have taken some time and cleaned up the 3-cell so it looks more or less the same as my 2-Cell.
It appears to be a later model Graflex with the dots inside the bulb housing as well as with the curved and polished eye glass frame. I apparently cannot add any more pictures here but I will make an album on my page and you can look at them there, hopefully.
I think they are chrome plated rather than nickel plated. No? Nickel is far more yellow-ish.
I've heard they are nickel-plated. In my experiments, they haven't come out yellowish at all, but the brass underneath sure is!
I had the same question regarding the Webley's that were plated by Federal Labs. All sources say they are nickel-plated, although the color and finish appears much closer to chrome than nickel. Nickel plating can be lightened from regular old gray to chrome like depending on what additives you introduce, like zinc sulfate. Also, the voltage has a lot to do with how well it shines (referred to as the "brightness"). This probably accounts for the differences between early Folmers and typical later era Graflex Inc. models.
I have no experience with additives or chemicals, and my nickel-plating experiments always came out dull and dark...or worse. I may decide to buy some chemical additives, but it will be a while.
If anyone knows for a fact whether Graflexes are nickel plated or otherwise, I would love to hear from you.
I had the same question regarding the Webley's that were plated by Federal Labs. All sources say they are nickel-plated, although the color and finish appears much closer to chrome than nickel. Nickel plating can be lightened from regular old gray to chrome like depending on what additives you introduce, like zinc sulfate. Also, the voltage has a lot to do with how well it shines (referred to as the "brightness"). This probably accounts for the differences between early Folmers and typical later era Graflex Inc. models.
I have no experience with additives or chemicals, and my nickel-plating experiments always came out dull and dark...or worse. I may decide to buy some chemical additives, but it will be a while.
If anyone knows for a fact whether Graflexes are nickel plated or otherwise, I would love to hear from you.
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Very curious about the chrome versus nickel plating as well. The little I know about plating brass is that chrome doesn't stick to brass very well so it needs to be nickel plated first then you can chrome it. So I'm pretty sure they're all nickel plated, the question is just whether or not any of them have actual chrome on top of the nickel
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