My First DL-44

[genZOD]

Hello all, I’ve just finished the first of 2 DL-44 blasters That I’m building. This is my idealized ANH blaster. It’s based on production stills. The base is a modified Denix. The reproduction parts are Steel & Aluminum from War Machine & Todd’s Costumes. I used aluminum black & steel bluing for the finish. The walnut handles are finished with several coats of oil over a red mahogany stain that I rubbed into the grips after I distressed them a bit.

I’m also building the Dagobah version of the prop.

I’m new to this group & prop building, but I’ve been building & restoring things for years.

 

[GhostOfThrawn]

I also have Todd's costumes' DL-44 and I'd like to replace those plastic handles with wooden ones. Do you know if those are 1:1 with actual mauser? So if I am able to find vintage ones or repros would those fit? Or did you make yours?

 

[genZOD]

War Machine claims that the grips are based on scans & measurements from a real Mauser. That’s probably true. They look great. The basic shape fits the Denix (I think they adjusted them) but you still need to modify the handle a bit. There is also a gap that needs to be filled with wood filler. Overall, these wooden grips are wider than the plastic or wood grips from Denix.

 

[KramStaar]

I also have Todd's costumes' DL-44 and I'd like to replace those plastic handles with wooden ones. Do you know if those are 1:1 with actual mauser? So if I am able to find vintage ones or repros would those fit? Or did you make yours?

As far as I recall, Todd's are Denix mausers and if so, genuine grips will not work without a lot of trimming to the frame and modifications.
You can get wooden grips for the Denix from Dark Energy creations Grips-ANH and possibly also from Fieldmarshall ? Confirm your blaster is a Denix base first or you might order the wrong ones.

M

 

[genZOD]

As far as I recall, Todd's are Denix mausers and if so, genuine grips will not work without a lot of trimming to the frame and modifications.
You can get wooden grips for the Denix from Dark Energy creations Grips-ANH and possibly also from Fieldmarshall ? Confirm your blaster is a Denix base first or you might order the wrong ones.

M

I know for sure mine is a Denix base because I bought it new in Denix box from eBay . Many of the replica parts I bought were from War Machine. The flash hider is from Todd’s Costumes. I think I used all or part of his scope mount too.

The base gun needed quite a bit of work to get it looking reasonably close to the studio prop. As I understand it, the Denix is a bit larger than a real Mauser, so you do have to be careful when buying some parts. Anyway, I’m happy with the results I got. I may replace the flash hider at some point. The details are a bit rough when you look at it up close.

Anyway, with a bit of work the walnut grips I bought fit well & look great. I’m sure you have even better sources than I do, so I’d definitely buy the ones you suggested if I needed more.

The Denix I bought for my Dagobah Blaster (the next one I’m building) came with wood grips, so I’ll just refinish those to match the prop.

 

[GhostOfThrawn]

As far as I recall, Todd's are Denix mausers and if so, genuine grips will not work without a lot of trimming to the frame and modifications.
You can get wooden grips for the Denix from Dark Energy creations Grips-ANH and possibly also from Fieldmarshall ? Confirm your blaster is a Denix base first or you might order the wrong ones.

M

Thanks a lot! In the left side it says "Denix Made in Spain". I'll need to take look on those.

 

[KramStaar]

I know for sure mine is a Denix base because I bought it new in Denix box from eBay . Many of the replica parts I bought were from War Machine. The flash hider is from Todd’s Costumes. I think I used all or part of his scope mount too.

The base gun needed quite a bit of work to get it looking reasonably close to the studio prop. As I understand it, the Denix is a bit larger then a real Mauser, so you do have to be careful when buying some parts. Anyway, I’m happy with the results I got. I may replace the flash hider at some point. The details are a bit rough when you look at it up close.

Anyway, with a bit of work the walnut grips I bought fit well & look great. I’m sure you have even better sources than I do, so I’d definitely buy the ones you suggested if I needed more.

The Denix I bought for my Dagobah Blaster (the next one I’m building) came with wood grips, so I’ll just refinish those to match the prop.

The Denix scrubs up nicely and yours has turned out well.

One of my DL's was finished as the as issued Bapty and I used the grips from Dark Energy Creations.

 

[genZOD]

Nice! I like the rust effect. You were braver then me when you distressed your grips. I hit mine a few times with a wrench & shook them in a can of spare nuts & bolts, but you actually gouged yours. Looks like a decades old relic.

 

[genZOD]

Thanks a lot! In the left side it says "Denix Made in Spain". I'll need to take look on those.

A little JB Weld & some sand paper will take care of that! Same with all the visible pins.

 

[GermanRedrum]

What techniques did you use to get the oils and gunk off the Denix? Mine is really oily. Also for the knobs, how do you get the 'rusty' look? This will be my first build and looking to do it right the first time.

 

[genZOD]

I removed the finish & seams by sanding & filing the whole thing. I also filled the holes from the pins and all the stamped markings. I chose to apply a distressed antique looking gun black finish.

My blaster isn’t the rusty one, it’s the more “traditional” one at the top of the thread. That said, I have gotten good looking rust by using Vallejo’s rust effects.

 

[GermanRedrum]

I removed the finish & seams by sanding & filing the whole thing. I also filled the holes from the pins and all the stamped markings. I chose to apply a distressed antique looking gun black finish.

My blaster isn’t the rusty one, it’s the more “traditional” one at the top of the thread. That said, I have gotten good looking rust by using Vallejo’s rust effects.

Thanks. I’ll post pics when I get mines done.

 

[GermanRedrum]

I removed the finish & seams by sanding & filing the whole thing. I also filled the holes from the pins and all the stamped markings. I chose to apply a distressed antique looking gun black finish.

My blaster isn’t the rusty one, it’s the more “traditional” one at the top of the thread. That said, I have gotten good looking rust by using Vallejo’s rust effects.

Just sanding? Any break cleaner? What did you use to repaint it with?

 

[genZOD]

Just sanding? Any break cleaner? What did you use to repaint it with?

Just sanding. Lots & lots of sanding. The finish is Aluminum black & gun oil.

 

[genZOD]

Just sanding? Any break cleaner? What did you use to repaint it with?

This is the stuff I use:
BW Casey Aluminum Black Touch-Up... Amazon.com : BW Casey Aluminum Black Touch-Up 3 oz : Hunting Cleaning And Maintenance Products : Sports & Outdoors

Or this for steel:
Birchwood Casey Presto Mag Gun... Amazon.com : Birchwood Casey Presto Mag Gun Blue 3 Ounce : Hunting Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

 

[GermanRedrum]

This is the stuff I use:
BW Casey Aluminum Black Touch-Up... Amazon.com : BW Casey Aluminum Black Touch-Up 3 oz : Hunting Cleaning And Maintenance Products : Sports & Outdoors

Or this for steel:
Birchwood Casey Presto Mag Gun... Amazon.com : Birchwood Casey Presto Mag Gun Blue 3 Ounce : Hunting Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Just got it in the mail.

 

[genZOD]

Cool. Depending on the alloy, you may need to apply several coats/heat the metal... there are tons of videos online.

IMO, the end results are worth the effort. Especially for a prop you will see in person.

Can’t wait to see your blaster when it’s done.

 

[GermanRedrum]

Cool. Depending on the alloy, you may need to apply several coats/heat the metal... there are tons of videos online.

IMO, the end results are worth the effort. Especially for a prop you will see in person.

Can’t wait to see your blaster when it’s done.

so I got the steel parts (scope mount) demented off the rusty grimey spots and got it blurred. I demanded as much of the Denix paint and oil off.

what kind of paint and pieces do you recommend? I do have an airbrush.

 

[genZOD]

so I got the steel parts (scope mount) demented off the rusty grimey spots and got it blurred. I demanded as much of the Denix paint and oil off.

what kind of paint and pieces do you recommend? I do have an airbrush.

I used very little paint. Just dry brushed Tamiya X1 over the JBWeld filler I used to hide the stamped markings. I also ground down/filled the pins & covered them the same way. My steel parts took a few applications of bluing. The new aluminum parts took even more al. black to build up a dark finish. Cleaning, light (fine) sanding & lots of heat helps. At least for me, I’m not an expert with this stuff. A finish coating of gun oil or wax also helps. The only place I used an airbrush was over the filled made in Spain stamp. On the second one I built I just dry brushed that too.

Just remembered... I did airbrush the brass parts with X1. I then sanded them back with 400 & 2000 grit to make them look well worn. I covered all this with satin clear.

I made very thin decals (clear inkjet decal paper) for the sight & extractor. I blended the extractor decal with paint & clear coat.

 

[enterprise0216]

You did a great job on it look forward to your next one.