Logan’s run DS gun TV conversion
- Thread starter tobor
- Start date
Oh he cranks out ALL kinds of awesomeness!
As far as the Laser Pistol only bsg.org makes them still I think.
RAC also has done them and his working version is my favorite out of all of mine and I have a few
As far as the Laser Pistol only bsg.org makes them still I think.
RAC also has done them and his working version is my favorite out of all of mine and I have a few
He need to expand and do more props.
I'm looking for a Galactica Colonial Warrior Blaster. I'm intersete in props like the originals from the 70's TV show??
Is anyone making them??
shelbyman
New Member
So, who makes the most accurate Galactica replica Blaster?? Coyle or BSG.org? Are any made of metal...for that matter were the originals?? lol It appears that Coyle's had a battery and some lights that functioned.
I know this has probably been covered in 300 other message boards & forums but I appreciate your insights. I grew up watching the shows and not an expert of the props. I'd like to find the best made ones out there like the originals.
Thx!!
Jim
I know this has probably been covered in 300 other message boards & forums but I appreciate your insights. I grew up watching the shows and not an expert of the props. I'd like to find the best made ones out there like the originals.
Thx!!
Jim
maxspr1
Well-Known Member
I hope a long digression form Logan's Run is okay for a sec...
There are people out there who know more behind the scenes info about the original BSG gun props than I do, but I've owned two and researched the heck out of the things for years, so here's what I can tell you: for the original series, the hero laser pistol props were made with fiberglass shell bodies with milled down clear acrylic shower heads with black paint detailing for front barrels. Aircraft strobe lights were inside these clear barrels, and from vintage bts photos, it looks like at least somee of the props had batteries (maybe rechargeable?) cast inside the fiberglass bodies and a socket for a cord in the bottom of the grip. Some early props had d-rings/lanyard rings on the bottom of the grip, too. Some props had thin, sleek trigger guards, while others (later ones?) had thicker reinforced trigger guards. The initial master prop that the hero bodies were cast from was carved/formed out of clay, and then tons of kit-bashed plastic model kit parts were attached for detailing. When you see an original up close, it really does look like the base body under the detail was quickly molded out of clay--tool marks and rough areas everywhere!
There were midgrade models made as well--the one I'm most familiar with is a hollow fiberglass casting, probably cast from one of the early hero working pistols. I'm assuming rubber versions were made, but the only rubber ones I've seen (including the one I used to own) looked like Galactica 1980 versions (see below) and were the all-white kind.
Later, for Galactica 1980, the best I can tell (from the ones that have come up for auction) is that they made a new mold from a midgrade original series gun with one of the thicker trigger guards. Even the working hero props for Galactica 1980 were just fiberglass casts hollowed out with a tiny bulb in a hole cut into the front of the barrel which was activated by a small push-button trigger. Coincidentally, lots of the Galactica props used the same little red or black-capped Alcoswitch push-button switch used on the TV Logan's Run guns! At least two black hero Galactica 1980 guns and one white one have been auctioned off in recent years.
As for accurate replicas, it depends. Coyle's is cast from an original or from a low-gen casting of an original, with only some slight modifications for his electronics and to replicate missing details, making it pretty screen/set accurate, while the BSG.org one is an idealized recreation (none of the flaws,tool marks, irregularities of the screen-used ones) but it was made using casts of the same model kit parts used in the screen-used guns. It's very clean and looks pretty good, but for some reason (and this has always bugged me), they cut out a little rectangular area under the barrel and left an open space.
Hope all this was informative--I would love anyone else with info on the originals to chime in!
There are people out there who know more behind the scenes info about the original BSG gun props than I do, but I've owned two and researched the heck out of the things for years, so here's what I can tell you: for the original series, the hero laser pistol props were made with fiberglass shell bodies with milled down clear acrylic shower heads with black paint detailing for front barrels. Aircraft strobe lights were inside these clear barrels, and from vintage bts photos, it looks like at least somee of the props had batteries (maybe rechargeable?) cast inside the fiberglass bodies and a socket for a cord in the bottom of the grip. Some early props had d-rings/lanyard rings on the bottom of the grip, too. Some props had thin, sleek trigger guards, while others (later ones?) had thicker reinforced trigger guards. The initial master prop that the hero bodies were cast from was carved/formed out of clay, and then tons of kit-bashed plastic model kit parts were attached for detailing. When you see an original up close, it really does look like the base body under the detail was quickly molded out of clay--tool marks and rough areas everywhere!
There were midgrade models made as well--the one I'm most familiar with is a hollow fiberglass casting, probably cast from one of the early hero working pistols. I'm assuming rubber versions were made, but the only rubber ones I've seen (including the one I used to own) looked like Galactica 1980 versions (see below) and were the all-white kind.
Later, for Galactica 1980, the best I can tell (from the ones that have come up for auction) is that they made a new mold from a midgrade original series gun with one of the thicker trigger guards. Even the working hero props for Galactica 1980 were just fiberglass casts hollowed out with a tiny bulb in a hole cut into the front of the barrel which was activated by a small push-button trigger. Coincidentally, lots of the Galactica props used the same little red or black-capped Alcoswitch push-button switch used on the TV Logan's Run guns! At least two black hero Galactica 1980 guns and one white one have been auctioned off in recent years.
As for accurate replicas, it depends. Coyle's is cast from an original or from a low-gen casting of an original, with only some slight modifications for his electronics and to replicate missing details, making it pretty screen/set accurate, while the BSG.org one is an idealized recreation (none of the flaws,tool marks, irregularities of the screen-used ones) but it was made using casts of the same model kit parts used in the screen-used guns. It's very clean and looks pretty good, but for some reason (and this has always bugged me), they cut out a little rectangular area under the barrel and left an open space.
Hope all this was informative--I would love anyone else with info on the originals to chime in!
hamsalad
Active Member
Ah, I can explain this:
Fan made copies of the BSG blaster were made with this cut out and a button removed INTENTIONALLY so they would have 'two visible differences' from the original prop. They did this based on the idea that people heard there were some court cases that stated that if a replica had 'two visible differences' , you could not be sued for copyright violation for producing unlicensed items.
This was a common practice in the '80s and 90's.
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That's a rather emphatic statement that demands a correction. No such precedent has ever been set in a US court pertaining to prop replicas. Ever...that is and remains an absurd urban legend.
Just making sure none of our new guys read your post and believe they can alter anything with 'two visible differences' and open up shop without worry.
However, I'll politely digress to avoid pulling this thread off topic with an issue we've debated ad nauseum on this forum. I do invite you to author a thread of your own on this topic if you find the subject matter interesting. :thumbsup
-Rylo
Just making sure none of our new guys read your post and believe they can alter anything with 'two visible differences' and open up shop without worry.
However, I'll politely digress to avoid pulling this thread off topic with an issue we've debated ad nauseum on this forum. I do invite you to author a thread of your own on this topic if you find the subject matter interesting. :thumbsup
-Rylo
hamsalad
Active Member
Oh, I dunno whether this idea actually stands up in court or not...it's just that this used to happen because people THOUGHT this would work. I know that's where the notch mentioned came from because I asked one of the makers that did that at the time, and that's what they said to explain why it was done.
Regardless, none of the original props I've ever seen has the notch (or the corner button removed on the left side, which always accompanies the notch).
Anyhow, while you're here rylo, would you mind discussing the size of the holster clip and if you make them anymore?
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I've been in the prop hobby for over 20 years and I've NEVER heard of this or even anything remotely close to this.
hamsalad
Active Member
You have to be old to have heard about this. Back before the internet or cell phones...you couldn't just look up incidents to see if it was just a rumor.
Actually, I still thought this worked just because it sounded reasonable at the time. I seem to remember that someone was sued over making tricorders, and the court found in favor of the maker because their version had working features and the original did not.
They used to do this sort of thing a lot.
I have in my collection a kit for a 'fazor' which contained no instructions for assembly: the maker would display one assembled intentionally wrong so it didn't look like a phaser to demonstrate that they couldn't 'prove' he was making an unlicensed kit.
Some guys would put on an extra piece that you could cut off later. I remember I bought a buck rogers blaster cast off the original at a convention, and they put an extra fin on it that you could easily chop off to make it accurate. There were some BSG blasters I've seen from back then that are missing the top fin, and the hole in the knob on the right bottom corner too.
There were some unlicensed star wars figures made that I saw: the darth vader had a duck bill you could cut off and the storm trooper had bunny ears to cut off. That goes all the way back to the '70s.
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Again. All nonsensical playground logic that's tantamount to calling a Batarang a 'flying mammal boomerang' in an attempt to avoid any legal trouble. Granted, I've seen people try the verbal dance, but 'intent' is what gets them each and every time.
With regard to a buck rogers pistol, you must've found the one fool in the universe who actually tried to implement such a tactic because all educated prop makers have understood that 'intent' is what gets you each and every time. Now, I have indeed heard new builders try and argue that they intended to change something by 25% etc. to avoid copyright issues...but, they never get anywhere because collectors want (shocker) accurate replicas.
By the way, we're a board full of educated and yes 'old' prop makers and collectors here...many of whom have spent thousands of dollars defending themselves over such matters. I think you'll find we're a rather enlightened forum with regard to such topics.
This is going to have to be my last word on this. I do not want to derail the topic, here. Again, Feel free to start a thread up on this if it's something you feel need be explored. To be clear, I do not doubt that you've seen such things. I simply take issue with those who would attempt to implement such logic.
As for holster clips. The film and TV clips very a good bit. I always disliked the TV clips so I focused my intention on the movie version. I have none at this time, but thanks for asking. No idea of the dimensions off the top of my head. It's been some time since I messed with them and would need to check my notes...wherever those are?!
Best regards
With regard to a buck rogers pistol, you must've found the one fool in the universe who actually tried to implement such a tactic because all educated prop makers have understood that 'intent' is what gets you each and every time. Now, I have indeed heard new builders try and argue that they intended to change something by 25% etc. to avoid copyright issues...but, they never get anywhere because collectors want (shocker) accurate replicas.
By the way, we're a board full of educated and yes 'old' prop makers and collectors here...many of whom have spent thousands of dollars defending themselves over such matters. I think you'll find we're a rather enlightened forum with regard to such topics.
This is going to have to be my last word on this. I do not want to derail the topic, here. Again, Feel free to start a thread up on this if it's something you feel need be explored. To be clear, I do not doubt that you've seen such things. I simply take issue with those who would attempt to implement such logic.
As for holster clips. The film and TV clips very a good bit. I always disliked the TV clips so I focused my intention on the movie version. I have none at this time, but thanks for asking. No idea of the dimensions off the top of my head. It's been some time since I messed with them and would need to check my notes...wherever those are?!
Best regards
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hamsalad
Active Member
Have you ever done (or thought of doing) the TV version of the follower?
I think I have one of your Movie followers...anyhow, it's very nicely milled of aluminum, and has a sound chip in it. It looks like the photos of one of yours from another thread.
doctorwholittle
Well-Known Member
Rylo -
I sent you a friend request, but whenever is convenient for you, please PM me in regard to the price of the DS guns you offer. It'll be some time before I can swing it, but I'd at least like to get my goal set for this beautiful piece of artwork!
Thanks -
DWL
I sent you a friend request, but whenever is convenient for you, please PM me in regard to the price of the DS guns you offer. It'll be some time before I can swing it, but I'd at least like to get my goal set for this beautiful piece of artwork!
Thanks -
DWL
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