Original ESB/ROTJ stunt Vader saber going up for auction...

Cantina_Dude

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Looks like this original stunt Vader saber is going up for auction at Propstore in September. Seems to be a match for the ROTJ stunt, which could indeed have been originally used in ESB!
 
View attachment 1949303
Looks like this original stunt Vader saber is going up for auction at Propstore in September. Seems to be a match for the ROTJ stunt, which could indeed have been originally used in ESB!

Ah—the timing couldn’t be better! I actually just assembled the parts to start a replica build of this hilt!

I see they sliced off part of the hood for easy access to screw on the blade.

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Interesting!

Are there any additional picture released, yet?
 
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Woahh!!

Not to completely jump to theory without more pictures, but the first thing that jumps out to me - does that look like the ANH V1/SS hero clamp to anyone?!? No MPP lever (replaced), looks like painted-over silver (not factory finish black) square MPP side bars. Bubbles on any hilt come from ANH so...

Also, not the Barbican's bubbles:
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On Silver Sidebars, the spacing of the bubbles looks awfully close at first glance. We can see the exactra board too!! Not saying it is but more pictures will be interesting...
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I'm probably totally wrong, just my first impression. But, just to get the gears really turning..
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I know, I know. Bit of a stretch. But I'm curious to see how the bulb release side looks now...

Original source:

Paging thd9791
 
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Woahh!!

Not to completely jump to theory without more pictures, but the first thing that jumps out to me - does that look like the ANH V1/SS hero clamp to anyone?!? No MPP lever (replaced), looks like painted-over silver (not factory finish black) square MPP side bars. Bubbles on any hilt come from ANH so...

Also, not the Barbican's bubbles:
View attachment 1949311

On Silver Sidebars, the spacing of the bubbles looks awfully close at first glance. We can see the exactra board too!! Not saying it is but more pictures will be interesting...
View attachment 1949315View attachment 1949327


I'm probably totally wrong, just my first impression. But, just to get the gears really turning..
View attachment 1949331
I know, I know. Bit of a stretch. But I'm curious to see how the bulb release side looks now...

Original source:

Paging thd9791
I miss you
 
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To clarify, since this is considered a stunt: When the HR article states that it's "said to be the only hero lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy to ever hit an auction" ... I assume they're using the term broadly, as in "hero-style" metal/found-object construction vs. a resin/rubber casting, as opposed to formally, as in the ultimate close-up-intended version (which, if I understand correctly, is generally reserved for belt-hangers)?
 
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I've been paged - answering the call.
Movie Reaction GIF


So.. The Luke Graflex bladed stunt stayed with Lucasfilm, and was converted into the DV6 for Vader.

This Vader MPP bladed stunt was used through all three films as well, and then somehow made it out?!?

I see multiple M6 bolts, grub screws holding the upper core in place, and a hole in the front. Possibly for a tang screw?

I really think this was the silver side-bar MPP from A New Hope. Scratches on the emitter sort-of match and it would make sense... If they didn't have many MPPs, for one of them to be used as the beater for choreography. Especially the one missing parts already.
 
gold traces of the Exactra PCB visible
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M6 Bolts, maybe drilled incorrectly, at least 3, a hole above them, and the original plastic socket intact.
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Grub screws (probably not pinching, but tapped into) upper core

Screenshot 2025-07-15 at 11.22.57 PM.png


I kind-of think they cracked the shroud and cut off a corner that broke and separated. Theres warping and a line around the rest of the shroud at that height. Maybe removing the corner helped stabilize the damage.... We only see generally one grub screw mark on the tang, just shifted left and right. If it was two we'd see them line up with the notch.
Screenshot 2025-07-15 at 11.23.09 PM.png
 
I kind-of think they cracked the shroud and cut off a corner that broke and separated. Theres warping and a line around the rest of the shroud at that height. Maybe removing the corner helped stabilize the damage.... We only see generally one grub screw mark on the tang, just shifted left and right. If it was two we'd see them line up with the notch.View attachment 1949376

IMG_0746.jpeg


I think that is a deliberate removal of material on the shroud to be able to quickly attach and remove the blades and screw them down vs an inadvertent “cracking” of the shroud…

An unaltered shroud would otherwise have to be removed every time they attached and removed the blade…the same reason why they removed part of the stunt GRAFLEX bulb ears and then, eventually, all of the bulb ears…
 
View attachment 1949393

I think that is a deliberate removal of material on the shroud to be able to quickly attach and remove the blades and screw them down vs an inadvertent “cracking” of the shroud…

An unaltered shroud would otherwise have to be removed every time they attached and removed the blade…the same reason why they removed part of the stunt GRAFLEX bulb ears and then, eventually, all of the bulb ears…
let me clarify - my theory is that they deliberately cut off a section that cracked fully.

These stunt saber things I make a lot - the marks on the steel tang tell you where the blades were mounted. You can see the set screws in the Good Morning America video too, they were generally fixed from the front. You don't need two. One is stronger, and if any blades had two, it would have been nice to have a hole accessible any way you install the blade.

The tangs generally stay put. No marks are in line with that notch, this is why my vote is that they cut off some bad damage.
 
let me clarify - my theory is that they deliberately cut off a section that cracked fully.

These stunt saber things I make a lot - the marks on the steel tang tell you where the blades were mounted. You can see the set screws in the Good Morning America video too, they were generally fixed from the front. You don't need two. One is stronger, and if any blades had two, it would have been nice to have a hole accessible any way you install the blade.

The tangs generally stay put. No marks are in line with that notch, this is why my vote is that they cut off some bad damage.

Looking at my own MPP—I think you are correct.

Good eyes, there. (y)


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And the funny thing was, it WAS... right?

Well, the ESB/ROTJ HERO/ belt hanger was on display in that little museum in the Pennsylvania casino, right?
The ESB Hero was indeed. I'm just very curious where this baby was all this time! Who had this in possession?

To me, the theory that this is the lost ANH V1 (silver rectangular sidebars) makes a lot of sense. Because of the identical wires I also think both were converted as the same time by the same person. I have to do some reverse engineering research to see if these are the same grips as on the ANH V1. The clamp has moved down towards the grips and to make space for the bolts. But it's definitely possible.
 
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