Han Solo Blaster: 2025 Studio auctions / Goldin auctions
- Thread starter Halliwax
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RBJ
Sr Member
OK. I admittedly know little to nothing about blasters… But even I had my doubts about this thing
Wasn’t the Property Master on Star Wars Frank Bruton?
If so, wouldn’t he and his team have been the ones who were primarily involved in the overall creation of the hand props?
Strangely, I don’t think we have ever mentioned him on the RPF.
shotonwhat.com
starwars.fandom.com
Star Wars.Com Interview Regarding Frank Bruton
According to Prop maker Bill Hargreaves, from the Star Wars.com interview above:
On Alien you met another Star Wars propmaster, Frank Bruton, and that’s how you made your way to Empire.
Bill Hargreaves: Dave introduced me to Frank Bruton, and I did some prop-making for him. Frank came to Shepperton Studios and had me redo some panels from the X-wing fighters and landspeeders, a lightsaber, and a C-3PO head. I don’t remember if they were for inserts or maybe as a test. Only Frank knew that, but I guess after seeing my work -- and I’m sure talking with Harry Lang -- he made his choice. Frank was a prop master who was very hard to work for. He would only accept the best and would soon let you know if it wasn't. So I was very pleased when he offered me supervising propmaker on Empire. What a great endorsement. When working on Empire and Jedi, Frank would come into my shop for a tea and would say, “Carry on, boy. You know what you are doing, and I don’t. Keep it up. Everyone’s pleased with you.” I know Frank said to his store man, the late great Peter Spencer, an old friend of mine, “How do those two boys turn out so much stuff with that much detail?”
If so, wouldn’t he and his team have been the ones who were primarily involved in the overall creation of the hand props?
Strangely, I don’t think we have ever mentioned him on the RPF.
Frank Bruton
Frank Bruton - Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey - The Motion Picture & Television Technical Database
Frank Bruton
Frank Bruton was the Property Master on Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope[1] and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.[2] He was also the Property Master on the Indiana Jones series. Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (property master) Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back (property...
starwars.fandom.com
STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977) - Prop Master Frank Bruton's Autographed Crew Photo Book
An autographed crew photo book from the production of George Lucas Star Wars A New Hope. Photo books featuring behind-the-scenes images, were gifted to the cast and crew for their efforts on the production.br br The photo book is bound in black card, which features the pre-release Ralph...
propstore.com
Star Wars.Com Interview Regarding Frank Bruton
According to Prop maker Bill Hargreaves, from the Star Wars.com interview above:
On Alien you met another Star Wars propmaster, Frank Bruton, and that’s how you made your way to Empire.
Bill Hargreaves: Dave introduced me to Frank Bruton, and I did some prop-making for him. Frank came to Shepperton Studios and had me redo some panels from the X-wing fighters and landspeeders, a lightsaber, and a C-3PO head. I don’t remember if they were for inserts or maybe as a test. Only Frank knew that, but I guess after seeing my work -- and I’m sure talking with Harry Lang -- he made his choice. Frank was a prop master who was very hard to work for. He would only accept the best and would soon let you know if it wasn't. So I was very pleased when he offered me supervising propmaker on Empire. What a great endorsement. When working on Empire and Jedi, Frank would come into my shop for a tea and would say, “Carry on, boy. You know what you are doing, and I don’t. Keep it up. Everyone’s pleased with you.” I know Frank said to his store man, the late great Peter Spencer, an old friend of mine, “How do those two boys turn out so much stuff with that much detail?”
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joberg
Legendary Member
Right you are; it would be fun to see their original descriptions of the previous blaster. From there and their "new admission", the owner of the previous prop could sue them for a lot of $$$
Wow! Great detective work!! Amazing. So they simply bought this for $1200. In the US no less. It’s not even from the UK. Nor is it even the correct c96.. but hey it’s a real c96 so it has to be accurate am I right!? Then threw on kit parts that themselves aren’t very accurate and costs what another $300 or so… and called it a day.Hey guys. I’m not sure those pictures that accompanied the MSN article were of the blaster being auctioned. I searched for that Mauser serial number and came up with this.
Early Transitional Lg Ring Hammer Mauser C96 Pistol
Early Transitional Lg Ring Hammer Mauser C96 Pistol - Carol Watson's Orange Coast Auctionswww.icollector.com
Although it does say it may have been converted to a prop to shoot blanks. $1200. That would be a nice profit if this is the one for auction.
Might want to screenshot that auction before it disappears.
Now sit back and collect 3mil.
Someone should certainly be locked up for this. My FDM version blows this one clean out of the water. Absolutely criminal on every level.
I see that Studio Auctions also sold an alleged TFA blaster, some time back. Disney’s bad fanfilms aren’t my area of expertise, so what do the experts say about this one? (As if I have to ask.)
I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a test run, made before they got the confidence to forge an ANH “hero”. Much like how they made a bunch of TOS midgrade phasers before the now-infamous “hero” forgery, which ended up selling for more money than the Greg Jein hero phaser.
This is more likely to be legit IMHO honestly. It’s got all the features that line up to the film prop itself that I could see. Specifically the left side replacement which all replicas have gotten wrong in their recreation. This is a resin casting that was probably used for holstering in the film. I’ve designed up and built this blaster long before I came across these TFA auction pics myself. I went back to study this as they are great pics and a great resource. If accurate which again I believe it is. Everything lines up pretty good to what Ive deducted from the filming props.
If it was like this Horrible Hero then they would have simply used a real airsoft (just the wrong model) and threw on some inaccurate TFA kit to finished it off.
BUT Now that it is related to this Horrible Hero in way certainly raises red flags.
Thanks!
I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if they’ve sold a few genuine props, too.
But, knowing what I know, and having seen what I’ve seen, every single item to come out of that business should be treated with extreme suspicion.
Truth is I didn’t know about this company’s shady history until this Horrible Hero came out. I agree with u 100%!! Makes me view that TFA blaster in a negative light even if it is real.
The infamous phaser thread is a good starting place for research. Even though Heritage actually auctioned it off, the people behind Studio Auctions made the forgery and were responsible for the alleged bribery and legal threats which got it pushed through.
Studio Auctions
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Studio Auctions! Dive into the world of iconic Hollywood treasures as we showcase rare props and costumes from legendary films. From James Dean's switchblade in "Rebel Without A Cause" to the miniature used in "The Wizard of Oz," join us on a journey...
m.youtube.com
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ID10T
Sr Member
Well now, there's something I wasn't aware of... Is that in the phaser thread I haven't visited in a while?
The thread has been locked for some time, and I don’t recall.
Suffice it to say that I have it on good authority that the successful sale of the “phaser” helped kickstart the creation of Studio Auctions.
damn...
each time something like this happens, I'm pretty disgusted by the situation, and at the same time, always very impressed and proud with the RPF and you guys quick and awesome detective skills
I hope there is a way to prevent someone buying this now if possible.
I'm also always very surprised to hear claims that Roger Christian vouched for this and all, he is part of several facebook prop fan groups, if he asked our opinion before making such a definitive statement, it would have been debunked in a minute and avoided this situation.
each time something like this happens, I'm pretty disgusted by the situation, and at the same time, always very impressed and proud with the RPF and you guys quick and awesome detective skills
I hope there is a way to prevent someone buying this now if possible.
I'm also always very surprised to hear claims that Roger Christian vouched for this and all, he is part of several facebook prop fan groups, if he asked our opinion before making such a definitive statement, it would have been debunked in a minute and avoided this situation.
ID10T
Sr Member
I don't know Roger but if anyone could reach out to him for some insight, that would be great!
Perhaps he authenticated the pistol as being 'manufactured during the correct time frame' (which can be gleaned pretty quickly googling the serial number) or something else, because, if I was in his position, I wouldn't want to risk my reputation on something like that.
Perhaps he authenticated the pistol as being 'manufactured during the correct time frame' (which can be gleaned pretty quickly googling the serial number) or something else, because, if I was in his position, I wouldn't want to risk my reputation on something like that.
damn...
each time something like this happens, I'm pretty disgusted by the situation, and at the same time, always very impressed and proud with the RPF and you guys quick and awesome detective skills
I hope there is a way to prevent someone buying this now if possible.
I'm also always very surprised to hear claims that Roger Christian vouched for this and all, he is part of several facebook prop fan groups, if he asked our opinion before making such a definitive statement, it would have been debunked in a minute and avoided this situation.
I was recently speaking with someone who’s in the know on these things, and the reality of the situation is that there aren’t many laws to govern this sort of thing. The major auction houses tend to have a “buyer beware” policy, and will bring in outside “experts” for authentication, as opposed to using an in-house team. Experts who often don’t know what they’re talking about, just want the money, or just want the clout of handling and/or authenticating an original piece.
You know, like how John Long, The Expert, got to authenitcate and then inaccurately “restore” the TOS Kirk hero communicator which sold at auction, last year.
And, in certain cases, the people who build forgeries are conveniently also part of the authentication team.
I’m reminded of a moment from TANGO & CASH:
CASH: How fortunate that they asked you to authenticate your own handiwork!
SKINNER (sheepishly): I am the foremost expert.
Maybe he’ll soon find a “prototype” that can be auctioned off, too!
It’s honestly shocking. It’s as shocking and as bad as Luka being traded to the lakers. Highway robbery being done here.
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