DL-44 Blaster Props ANH to ROTJ a Guide

[scarf man]

The ANH to ROTJ DL44 blasters, Identification guide

*Glossary near the bottom of the post.

Star Wars (ANH) 1977
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Han Solo‘s hero DL-44 prop
(Cantina, Docking bay 94 escape, Millennium Falcon interior, and Yavin scenes)

[Mauser C-96 with custom bull barrel, rented from Bapty & Co.]
[MG81 flash hider]
[Hensoldt Wetzlar 3x scope]
[Scope mounting cradle and bracket, possibly custom]
[Hawker Tomtit model plane parts by Veron used as greeblies]

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The base gun was fitted with a bull barrel by film armorers Bapty & Co. for the film “The Naked Runner” 1967, staring Frank Sinatra. That same gun was later rented from Bapty by the production “The Star Wars” in 1976.
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The scope cradle was used in the film “Sitting Target” 1972, starring Oliver Reed. Another Bapty rental presumably.
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The Mauser rented from Bapty was also utilized by the production team for castings which were used to make several other props in the film such as the Merr Sonn power 5, and the resin stunt prop later used for the Dagobah and Bespin duel scenes in ESB.
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Discussion here:

ANH Hero DL-44 Discussion - Three ANH Greeblies Found

This thread is to discuss the accuracy and details of the DL-44. Any ideas, finds, reference, or any information at all is Welcome! A HUGE Thanks to Everyone that has contributed to this Research, this Blaster is going to be understood better than ever by the time all of us are done with it...

www.therpf.com

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Han Solo’s Greedo killer (Alternate Hero) DL-44 prop
(Cantina closeup insert shot of Han reaching for his blaster)

[MGC Mauser C-96]
[Compac Super scope]
[Weaver scope rings/mounts]
[Custom scope mounting bracket]
[M-9 flash hider]
[Grill on front of mag well unidentified]
[Greeblies]

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*Glossary:

Hero, shorthand for hero prop as used in a closeup shot
Stunt, shorthand for stunt prop as used for special effects or lightweight cast in resin or rubber
Greeblie, a detail piece added to a prop or model to spruce up its appearance or aide in construction.
Bull Barrel, a thick walled barrel for a firearm.
ANH, ESB, ROTJ, shorthand for the titles of the Star Wars films.
MGC, stands for Model Gun Corporation, a Japanese company that made high quality non firing models of popular firearms.

More to come…

So, similar to my old thread on Luke’s ROTJ sabers, post your pics, objections, theories, etc…
and I will take all the credit (ahem) good stuff, and add to the initial post as a primer on the subject at han, I mean hand.

I’ll be adding to this piecemeal, so it may take a few days/weeks/months/years to get everything uploaded and in the proper section.

Photo credits: Inquisitor Peregrinus, chubsANDdoggers, lonepigeon, thd9791, deadbolt, H0llyw00d, Vanitas
Special photo credits: scottjua
Proofreading credits: The 48th Ronin, deadbolt

Disclaimer: I claim no rights but fair use to these publicly available previously posted pictures, don’t be a Richard about it.

 

[scarf man]

The Empire Strikes Back 1980
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Echo 3, Rogue Group Leader, Rebel Alliance Commander
Luke Skywalker’s (Hoth) DL-44 prop
(Hoth scenes Finse, Norway)

[MGC Mauser C-96]
[M19 tank scope]
[Custom scope mounting bracket]
[Aluminum flash hider with drawn on straight knurling]
[Visible V8 engine model parts]

Discussion here:

DL-44 ESB Blaster Discussion - Greeblies POST 208

This thread is for discussing the parts of the DL-44 ESB Blasters PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS COST OR ASK ABOUT BUYING ITEMS IN THIS THREAD. If you want information about the ESB Blaster Active Project go to this thread: http://www.therpf.com/f75/dl-44-esb-blaster-active-project-230130/...

www.therpf.com

…and a great post by v312, with excellent results here:

v312's builds

My journey with the Stunt Macro (part 4) The moment I put together my black acrylic lens plate with the lenses (everything yet unpainted) and just held it next to the Mamiya body I thought - wow that looks so much nicer in the original finish all black and chrome! I knew I want to do another...

www.therpf.com

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Echo 7, Captain, scruffy looking nerf herder
Han Solo’s (Hoth) DL-44 prop
(Hoth scenes Finse, Norway)

[same prop as Skywalker’s above]

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Featured on NBC’s TODAY show in the hands of Al Roker.
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For the Mausers used predominantly on Bespin made from “live firing” Mauser C 96 pistols, I’ve included some pics to pique your interest. For details please follow this link to v312 ‘s very informative post on the subject.

v312's builds

My journey with the Stunt Macro (part 4) The moment I put together my black acrylic lens plate with the lenses (everything yet unpainted) and just held it next to the Mamiya body I thought - wow that looks so much nicer in the original finish all black and chrome! I knew I want to do another...

www.therpf.com

Resin casts and such…

Hands off my hams!!

Photo credits: thd9791, chubsANDdoggers

 

[scarf man]

Return of the Jedi 1983
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Favorite decoration, Rebel Alliance General, Endor strike team leader
Han Solo’s Hero DL-44 prop
(briefing room, Endor assault, & celebration scenes)

[MGC Mauser C-96]
[Delrin scope bell, windage knob cap, flathead screw, & 35mm film canister were used to make the scope]
[Weaver scope ring]
[Extra scope ring mount]
[Custom scope mounting bracket]
[Delrin replicas of Visible V8 engine model kit pistons]
[Delrin flash hider] Short scallops at the rear
[Greeblies]

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Alternate Solo Hero DL-44 prop
(Unsure of location in the film)

[MGC Mauser C-96]
[Faux scope similar to above]
[Custom scope mounting bracket]
[Delrin replicas of V8 piston halves]
[square greeblie possible rubber furniture leg bumper]
[Similar delrin flash hider, with different details] Long scallops at rear
[Currently missing front of scope, & safety switch]

Scope discussion here:

ROTJ Fabricated Scopes

Wanted to document, discuss, etc. the replacement for the M19 scopes in ROTJ. They are found on the MGC Sterling E-11 Blasters and the Han DL44 Blasters. Parts of Star Wars already confirmed a couple parts and some are still unidentified. After going through ROTJ the other day, looking for...

www.therpf.com

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Solo’s *Stembridge Stunt DL-44 prop
(Endor shield generator assault scene)

[Mauser C96 pistol]
[Diamond pattern grips] ~may have been different during filming
[Faux scope similar in construction to the Hero prop]
[Custom scope mount, weaver type scope ring]
[Delrin replicas of V8 piston halves]
[Aluminum flash hider]

* Stembridge was the armourer for U.S. filming portions of ROTJ.

Photo credits: jdebord originalpropblog.com, thd9791,Probe Droid, chubsANDdoggers
Editor credit: v312

 

[scarf man]

Miscellaneous

Endor bunker Stunt (DL-44) prop
(ROTJ deleted scene)

[Mauser C-96 with custom bull barrel & extension, rented from Bapty & Co.]
{Unique to this prop, lanyard ring is still present during filming}
[Hensoldt scope from the ANH hero blaster mounted backwards]
[Hero ROTJ scope bracket mounted backwards]
The silver colored flash hider remains unidentified

I will add information as the plot unfolds.

Edit: 10/25/23

While the C96 appears to both have an apparent bull barrel and be made from a live-fire Mauser, the presence of a lanyard ring in the grip frame's mounting stud seems to indicate that this is NOT the same C96 as used in the Hero.
...I think that we can reasonably enough classify this prop by starting with a few concrete foundations:
1. It was fashioned from a live-fire C96 (modified to only accept blanks, of course)
2. It was created/supplied by Bapty
3. It was NOT the same C96 as the Hero prop (3D overlays comparing the mounting lug points would likely confirm this)
4. It had a threaded bull barrel extension in a similar manner to the Hero prop's/the C96 used in the Naked Runner
5. It has a yet-to-be identified flash hider

Discussion here:

RotJ DL-44 Bunker Blaster (Deleted Scene) Discussion

So I know that this thread had seen a few minor threads and occasional discussion of this rather bizarre blaster in the past before, but I personally feel that more discussion ought to be aimed at teasing out exactly what this DL-44 really is. (The only video of the blaster in question) My...

www.therpf.com

I recently discovered with the help of Vanitas that this version of Han’s blaster is featured on the
Return of the Jedi 1 sheet poster that we’re all so familiar with.

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3rd MGC Mauser based Hero style DL-44 prop
(I‘m unsure of where to place this in the film)

it is distinct from the two known hero MGCs that can be screen matched or that have Lucasfilm Archives provenance.

Photo credits: zsherman, thd9791, Vanitas, chubsANDdoggers, v312

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

This should help organize all the dl-44’s and where they fit in

 

[scarf man]

That’s a great visual guide chubsANDdoggers, I’m aiming at somewhere in-between your picture and SethS e-book for lightsabers. I want to create a short guide that packs a lot of differentiating information for newer members to glance through.
Much like my other thread on Luke’s sabers, I’d like to have reference pics, behind the scenes pics, movie stills, and a brief description of parts and what scenes they were in.

I‘m currently hunting for Han Solo ROTJ bunker blaster pics, the one with the reused Hensoldt scope and weird looking barrel.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

That’s a great visual guide chubsANDdoggers, I’m aiming at somewhere in-between your picture and SethS e-book for lightsabers. I want to create a short guide that packs a lot of differentiating information for newer members to glance through.
Much like my other thread on Luke’s saber, I’d like to have reference pics, behind the scenes pics, movie stills, and a brief description of parts and what scenes they were in.

I think this is all a great idea! I’ve almost started this exact same threat myself as I have lots and lots of all those pics u just mentioned. Years worth of research in fact. Only issue that has keep me from doing just this is simply because there are some very respected members here on RPF that are very sensitive to certain pictures being reposted without their specific permission. I can’t begin to tell who or where I got all my pictures from and have decided it’s not worth the hassle or finger pointing that comes along with doing what it is ur trying to do. But I love this idea and I’ll be following closely.. helping where I can.

Is this your lightsaber thread u mentioned?

Luke Skywalker’s Return of the Jedi lightsabers (a primer)

The Luke ROTJ sabers, Identification thread * Glossary located at the bottom of the post. 1). THE V2 ( belt hanger in ROTJ ) ( sail barge, deleted sandstorm, Endor, & throne room scenes ) [ machined aluminum construction ] { greeblies; Graflex clamp, Transcriptors reference turntable conical...

www.therpf.com

 

[scarf man]

I totally understand.
I however, have let’s say, a reputation for lack of a better word. I do keep things to myself if asked, but owe no allegiance to any particular group within or with-out the RPF.
This thread is all about identifying what is what, not the minutiae.
If I can find a pic posted publicly, and it helps someone differentiate between blasters, I’m posting it here, with credit if I can.

Yeah, that’s the one chubsANDdoggers, it was, and continues to be a group effort.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

ALL my pictures were originally posted publicly. They where found either here (RPF) or elsewhere.. but they where all originally posted in one thread or another. Hopefully your reputation will protect you against what I have had to deal with privately. Good luck to you sir!

That’s a great saber thread! Top shelf stuff

 

[scarf man]

That thread is my love letter to the RPF, much like this one, I would be totally ignorant of most of that information had I not found this community so many years ago.

 

[thd9791]

Thanks for doing this! hopefully it goes down in history like your ROTJ saber one

 

[scarf man]

Thanks for doing this! hopefully it goes down in history like your ROTJ saber one

My pleasure to help out wherever I can. I just hope that this thread will come up in searches easily enough to make a difference for the forum.
Posts, views, tags, key words, and obviously good info. is what this thread needs to succeed.

 

[Marv]

Brilliant always get muddled as to which is which.

 

[SethS]

That thread is my love letter to the RPF, much like this one, I would be totally ignorant of most of that information had I not found this community so many years ago.

That thread inspired me to make the guide!

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Here are some pics from my own collection of the Hero ANH blaster that I’ve manipulate to help with my own builds over the years. By no means do I lay ownership to these pics but I do think they can be of help…

 

[thd9791]

This is looking swell, I'll message you some good ESB and Jedi shots I have, if you don't have them.

Also, the ANH Bull barrel does taper, just so people don't get the wrong idea

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

This is looking swell, I'll message you some good ESB and Jedi shots I have, if you don't have them.

Also, the ANH Bull barrel does taper, just so people don't get the wrong idea

Yes.. it definitely tapers towards the front

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Looking forward to seeing this thread unfold..

 

[v312]

Here's a closeup of the grip on Dagobah.

 

[scottjua]

Some of these photo are only public because they were taken, altered (removed my water mark) and reposted as someone else’s. Not being whatever a Richard is… but it’s grating.