Re: NEW Hollywood Collectibles Groups 4 different stunt Aliens M41-A pulse rifles rel
-The "hero" rifles were indeed dismantled, then later reassembled to some degree using original components. The rarest component being the aluminum shrouds. Vac formed shrouds were used on several of the 'reassembled' rifles. At least one metal shrowd set must have survived, because as Willie and Guy pointed out, there it is! But many had vac shrouds after the fact as well.
-There was a period where surviving rifles were rented out by Bapty. This "rental" phase is where most got green paint jobs. They didnt look "military" enough with the BB paint, so they were painted OD green at that time.
-The black paint came from those remaining hero's being painted black (over the green rental phase) and used in Alien 3. This is why beat up black ones have green under them. The Alien 3 rifles were indeed LIVE FIRE, but it was very unlikely they had functional GLs or 870s in them.
-The 'rubber stunts' were not used in Alien 3. Visible holes in the vents are visible in nearly every shot in alien 3. They are the reassembled heroes, several of which are still in their 'alien 3' form today. (Black paint, patchwork parts)
The "real" stunt you posted - do they claim its authentic? I know their Hicks armor is repro - I've just never seen an all black stunt before.
-Willie, the plaque on that stunt from the EMP museum simply says "from Aliens" and doesnt say screen used or not. It is possible it was a cast. However that forward hanging vent is present on every screen shot from the film when actors are climbing or holding objects in each hand (where weight is an issue). Even if that specific one is not original, my research shows the feature is absolutely found on the 'stunt' pulses on film.
With extensive frame by frame analysis, there was not one 'regular' barrel that was 'filled in' like a stunt. All stunts appear wonky...
Guy, I think that's the hero rifle Propstore has in their company collection - you can read all about it and the various paint jobs here:
http://www.propstore.com/the-prop-store-collection/aliens/pulse-rifle/
-The one from the propstore link posted is, to me, clear proof the 'heroes' as we see them now were re-assembled. It contains the 870s functional GL found in the 10-hole hero, but clearly does not have a 10 hole vent. Plus, close inspection of the shrouds show a very very similar match to the underside features of the shroud seen in the production photos of the pulse with 8 holes. PLUS the vent is actually set further back on that version than is seen in any screen cap. To me this, again, shows it was reattached after filming.
Not trying to sound like a student or anything here...but again my 'research' shows there were as many as 6 x "live fire" pulse rifles used in Aliens. Only 1 has 'without a doubt' a functional grenade launcher with 870 in it.
Most surviving rifles as we see them today are almost certainly not 'original'. I have no doubt they contain original parts. But there are major flaws on virtually every surviving pulse that indicates post filming alterations of a "rebuild"/"reassembly".
Even more rambling detailed analysis can be found in this thread.
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15202&hilit=hero+pulse
