I remember when the 7 grips and one-rivet d-ring were discovered. I had to swap out the bottom halves of my Larbel ANH and ESB replicas. The ANH endcap (with two screw holes) was converted into an ESB, and then the ESB bottom was converted to a single-screw ANH, with the ANH bracket covering the extra Kobold hole. Good times! How far we’ve come since then!
New Elstree Studio documentary with discarded Graflex.
- Thread starter Skelatorious
- Start date
I’ve really gotten to like the feel of the plastic grips. Rubber is the most comfy, but there’s something about the ANH with plastic grips that gives it a certain heft.
I literally just constructed my brand-new ANH and ESB replicas with TGS Gen 2s about two months ago. Went all-out to make them just right. Learning that the d-ring assembly might be inaccurate is annoying, but fixable, if necessary. Guess we’ll see!
DARTH SABER
Master Member
I remember people thinking I was crazy. Lol
Don’t loose sleep over it yet, I’m still not convinced. Need more evidence, can’t jump the gun that always leave room for error
One day we will truly know.. or at least I believe we will lol
DARTH SABER
Master Member
If it turns out to be two small rivets I should be able to replace the band, seal up the single hole with JB weld and drill two holes on either side. No biggie.
Just spitballing here...
Let’s say the toe pic hero used the single-rivet Graflex case bracket, as has been theorized.
The bracket seen on the Elstree prop looks to be much smaller in length than the toe pic bracket, which appears very close to being centered on the endcap. If the Elstree is indeed a second-tier belt-hanger, maybe they just handmade a quick-and-dirty bracket, and used two small rivets to ensure that it stayed on, especially if it was made from a weaker metal than the Graflex case brackets, which were designed for carrying weight.
Let’s say the toe pic hero used the single-rivet Graflex case bracket, as has been theorized.
The bracket seen on the Elstree prop looks to be much smaller in length than the toe pic bracket, which appears very close to being centered on the endcap. If the Elstree is indeed a second-tier belt-hanger, maybe they just handmade a quick-and-dirty bracket, and used two small rivets to ensure that it stayed on, especially if it was made from a weaker metal than the Graflex case brackets, which were designed for carrying weight.
I really dont think theres ever been any evidence Graflex case brackets were ever used. A lot of people (including myself) have used vintage camera case d rings on their builds more because of the "matching" aspect than anything else I think. Same goes for the exactra screws on an ESB build as was mentioned earlier. But I doubt the original prop builders would have had that same mindset.
DARTH SABER
Master Member
Ridire Firean
Sr Member
With all the movies that are being remade these days, you'd think it would be important to have a nice pair of reasons, or two, or three, or more to do so!
Hey steven giunta ! Your new "Mitchell Replica" is missing a bubble.
One thing I noticed as I reread the post about were and how this saber was discovered is the clamp is on upsidown. He said the first blurry pics are exactly how it was found and the propsrore pics were after they took it apart and couldn’t get it back together
DARTH SABER
Master Member
Some reference-
newmagrathea
Sr Member
So I personally don't think I'm going to change my D-ring out just yet. Partially because info is still coming in on the validity of this, but it looks legit. But also because there was more than one lightsaber and therefore could have a different D-ring on each. Also there is the fact that I have a hole in the bottom of my Graflex and I'm not to sure that I will be able to reuse that same hole as one of the rivet holes, but there is a chance. I think it's great that this new info has come out, it has re-opened the case for many and hopefully reveal some new truths.
This classic image is pretty darn close to being a plan view of the prop, and it indicates that the d-ring bracket was virtually on-center, since the rounded section section of the bracket which retains the ring lines up with the space between two grips and the rectangular holes on the clamp band.
I think it’s very safe to say that the Elstree prop is definitely not the one used in any of the publicity photos. If it is indeed authentic, then it would most likely have been a backup/second-tier hero or a failed FX attempt.
In terms of impacting what we know about the onscreen heroes, the only real question is how the d-ring brackets were attached. If the heroes indeed used a found part for the d-ring brackets, then I’d be inclined to stick with the one-rivet notion. The Elstree may actually line up more closely with the Vader Barbican (now thought to be an ANH FX stunt), which also used two rivets to attach its d-ring. Perhaps the two rivets were used BECAUSE it was going to be a stunt, and therefore needed to be a bit more durable.
I don’t think anyone is arguing that it’s the same flash. Just looking to a potentially production made item for visual clues as to how the on screen hero and post production lightsaber might have been similarly constructed. For example, many people are now seeing highlights that could be evidence of two rivets.
The leading edge of the clip is almost centered. Slightly more centered than this Elstree flash. It was modeled and extrapolated back in 2002 that it was 1/8 inch off center.
The leading edge of the clip is almost centered. Slightly more centered than this Elstree flash. It was modeled and extrapolated back in 2002 that it was 1/8 inch off center.
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Drew Baker
Sr Member
Greg, you talking about this saber having a d ring riveted to the bottom?
If so, mind showing me in currently fabricating this. And the reference I have doesn’t have any d rings on the bottom
Also the saber to the eye picture. These are floating around the Graflex group on FB. Also similar ones a page back, just reposting.
If the camera were shifted to the left to see the bottom more easily, you would see A. Well, slightly between A and B. I think the angle is slightly less than what A is showing.
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