kpax
Sr Member
I think the issue is that we here, especially in this and the Mega DL44 discussion thread have spent SO long trying to sort out the truth and details about the ANH blaster that when the PS blaster finally surfaces with the real scope and rear rings +-, but the rest of blaster so obviously not original we are disappointed. We are annoyed that they put it forward ( at first) as the real "blaster" in total. Not as "some parts are original"
The BIG deal to us is that now, after years of study and research, pulling out every accurate detail we can - there is a pretender on the block that CAN and WILL confuse and confound the public and member/visitors here when looking for the truth about the ANH dl44. That is one reason it is important (to us) to have the record clear and honest as to what is original and what is newly fabricated replica. The issue here, especially for newbies is that if they see the PS version and believe IT is the definitive actual screen used prop, then those details will be believed over the true details we know to be true.
As Davy Jones said, big money collectors have different agendas then we do.
For this RPF and other prop interest communities looking to accurately replicate or document the ANH dl44, only the PS scope and upper rings are original and unchanged or unaltered in any significant way from the screen used prop.
Everything else is either newly fabricated parts or rebuilt and altered portions from parts intended for screen use but never on screen IMO.
Unfortunately it seems from Tony and KCarls words that the originals were in fact disassembled and taken down to their PRE SW condition right after filming in 1977. ( again, a nice full interview with KCarl could clear up a lot of speculation and potentially give us some build details about the mounting lugs, MD, barrel, restrictor, previous film history (NR) etc.
If true and the ANH blaster was taken apart after filming then sadly the film version does not exist anymore.
The good news is that we do finally have very good reference images of the actual scope and rings. We also have much better reference images (thanks to Carson) of the original 2813 cast Mausers in the form of the MerrSonn castings and Luke Stunt blaster. It would be great to get better and more various angled photos of the MerrSonn blaster castings. KCarl may be able to give insight as to the time table of the build. The MerrSonn show no sign of the right side lugs but may have lugs on the left side.
Now that we know KCarl actually did braze and remove lugs and refinish the guns, it makes more sense that the scope mount side could be changed more easily.
We also know thanks to Carson exactly what the greeblies are. The Mystery disk unfortunately (or fortunately
) remains a mystery.
The Mount is fairly well known and accurately replicated at this point especially from the first steel run from DEC, but I for one would love to question KCarl about its origins and fabrication for ST.
Maybe there are better images out there somewhere. Maybe more will come to light. I hope so.
The BIG deal to us is that now, after years of study and research, pulling out every accurate detail we can - there is a pretender on the block that CAN and WILL confuse and confound the public and member/visitors here when looking for the truth about the ANH dl44. That is one reason it is important (to us) to have the record clear and honest as to what is original and what is newly fabricated replica. The issue here, especially for newbies is that if they see the PS version and believe IT is the definitive actual screen used prop, then those details will be believed over the true details we know to be true.
As Davy Jones said, big money collectors have different agendas then we do.
For this RPF and other prop interest communities looking to accurately replicate or document the ANH dl44, only the PS scope and upper rings are original and unchanged or unaltered in any significant way from the screen used prop.
Everything else is either newly fabricated parts or rebuilt and altered portions from parts intended for screen use but never on screen IMO.
Unfortunately it seems from Tony and KCarls words that the originals were in fact disassembled and taken down to their PRE SW condition right after filming in 1977. ( again, a nice full interview with KCarl could clear up a lot of speculation and potentially give us some build details about the mounting lugs, MD, barrel, restrictor, previous film history (NR) etc.
If true and the ANH blaster was taken apart after filming then sadly the film version does not exist anymore.
The good news is that we do finally have very good reference images of the actual scope and rings. We also have much better reference images (thanks to Carson) of the original 2813 cast Mausers in the form of the MerrSonn castings and Luke Stunt blaster. It would be great to get better and more various angled photos of the MerrSonn blaster castings. KCarl may be able to give insight as to the time table of the build. The MerrSonn show no sign of the right side lugs but may have lugs on the left side.
Now that we know KCarl actually did braze and remove lugs and refinish the guns, it makes more sense that the scope mount side could be changed more easily.
We also know thanks to Carson exactly what the greeblies are. The Mystery disk unfortunately (or fortunately
) remains a mystery. The Mount is fairly well known and accurately replicated at this point especially from the first steel run from DEC, but I for one would love to question KCarl about its origins and fabrication for ST.
Maybe there are better images out there somewhere. Maybe more will come to light. I hope so.
