PZ's SW Prop Collection - UPDATE: Authentic Symmetrical Hales Grenade - All Real Parts Obi-Wan Lightsaber

[Halliwax]

I think they are all aluminum, but I'll check again this afternoon just to make sure.

Awesome, we all appreciate it.

 

[PrinceZip]

Have you checked all your shrouds with a magnet? See if any are steel?

One of the remaining mysteries of OT SW props is 'what's the deal with ESB MPP's steel shroud?'
I had some vintage MPP shrouds lying around, so I decided to actually test each one.

It's a fairly simple test; I've got my handy-dandy magnetic screw driver that sticks to steel or other magnetic surfaces.
The test subjects are vintage MPP shrouds all made during different phases of the production (I know this based on their serial numbers)



Subject #1: 2-step shroud type 1
Result: not steel
This shroud had a fairly early production serial number.



Subject #2: 2-step shroud type 2
Result: not steel
This particular one was made late in the production, near #1500



Subject #3: single-step shroud type 1
Result: not steel
This is the exact shroud variant used for ANH Vader V1 Hero Lightsaber.



Subject #4: single-step shroud type 2
Result: not steel
It's the exact shroud variant used for ANH Vader V2 Hero Lightsaber.



Unfortunately, none of the shrouds are steel.
In fact, all 9 MPP shrouds I've seen are all made of aluminum.

At this point, I firmly believe the ESB Vader Hero shroud is a custom made piece by the LFL/ILM crew.
This explains why the ESB shroud has a different material AND different dimension than vintage shrouds.

 

[NathanM]

That's intriguing. So, instant devaluation on vintage shrouds, right?

lol, I wish!

they are probably still original to the ANH version right?

Maybe the original shroud was lost in transition? My knowledge on Vader Sabers is very limited obviously.

 

[coolhanluked]

Ill check my 6 mpp shrouds but i don't believe mpp made a steel shroud. Has everyone who owns mpps on here checked? Its time to get magnetic people!

 

[PrinceZip]

That's intriguing. So, instant devaluation on vintage shrouds, right?

lol, I wish!

they are probably still original to the ANH version right?

Maybe the original shroud was lost in transition? My knowledge on Vader Sabers is very limited obviously.

I wish MPPs would come down in price, but highly unlikely

The ANH shrouds are identified in my post. However, ESB shroud is a weird one that doesn't match any of the known vintages.
That's why I think it was custom made.

 

[PrinceZip]

Ill check my 6 mpp shrouds but i don't believe mpp made a steel shroud. Has everyone who owns mpps on here checked? Its time to get magnetic people!

Great! 6 shrouds are powerhouse

If my shroud theory is wrong, whoever finds a steel shroud becomes legend.

 

[thd9791]

At least one shroud in ESB and Jedi was notched, the bevel was cut down I think to get at the blade collar screws.

this is a great experiment, thank you! What are the differences in single step shrouds?

 

[PrinceZip]

this is a great experiment, thank you! What are the differences in single step shrouds?

The differences between the 2 single-step shrouds are very subtle but still noticeable when you see them in person.

 

[PrinceZip]

At least one shroud in ESB and Jedi was notched, the bevel was cut down I think to get at the blade collar screws.

Oh also, I am very familiar with that ESB/ROTJ "notched" shroud MPP.
I can't talk too much about that saber, but I've been formulating a very interesting theory about its origin...

 

[thd9791]

nice to know I'm not crazy on that one, Brandon popped up one day while I was going off about it too

Those are subtle differences in shrouds.. good eye. Type 1 looks like they spent more time or attention on it, beveling the thumbscrew and getting the paint more uniform... weird lol

 

[Halliwax]

Thanks everyone for checking it they are steel or not

The mystery continues lol

 

[PrinceZip]

Seeing quite a few Relby-k23 posts pop up lately, I figured I'd add one more
Here's a rare, cast from screen-used Relby-k23 (Bespin Guard) blaster.
It's the blaster that turned the tide and saved Lando, Chewbacca, and Leia in Bespin!



The original screen-used props were resin casts from a Nemrod Galeon speargun with greeblies added on.
Since this is also a resin cast from an original ESB prop, this is as accurate as it gets with the correct material.



If you have the chance to acquire a Nemrod Galeon, I highly recommend building this prop.
It's one of the coolest looking guns in Star Wars!

 

[thd9791]

Holy crap that is a beautiful cast!!!! congrats on getting this one, it's one of my fav blaster designs.
Is it your opinion that those tab-greeblies and the gears/muzzle are scratch-built or do the casts show details that they're found items?

I made one with a beat-to-crap speargun and it shows... thinking of building another or refinishing this one one day

 

[PrinceZip]

Holy crap that is a beautiful cast!!!! congrats on getting this one, it's one of my fav blaster designs.
Is it your opinion that those tab-greeblies and the gears/muzzle are scratch-built or do the casts show details that they're found items?

I made one with a beat-to-crap speargun and it shows... thinking of building another or refinishing this one one day

Thank you! It's one of my favorite designs as well; it's a classic "80s sci-fi alien looking" gun and very satisfying to hold.
I feel this prop is very underrated.

I believe the greeblies attached to the main body are found items because they are very intricate.
The gears on the muzzle could be scratch-built? I'm not sure.

 

[thd9791]

I tried stacking washers once to make that muzzle, and it looked utterly ridiculous

I was surprised at how big the frame of the gun is!

 

[PrinceZip]

I tried stacking washers once to make that muzzle, and it looked utterly ridiculous

Actually sounds like a great idea!

Check out this photo; the fins all have different width and thickness.
The master could have used stacked washers.

 

[thd9791]

WEIRD - its like every prop is askew. They couldn't get lightsaber grip rings the same size either lol

 

[PrinceZip]

D

 

[russellsch]

Oooo, that's lovely

 

[Bradberry00]

It was a very hard decision to let this grenade go....