Quick guide to Graflex handles, please?

[Ttaskmaster]

Hi guys,

A friend of mine recently unearthed an old Graflex camera.
I know it's a Graflex, mainly coz it says so on the side, but also because I recognised the flash handle. However, I'm not sure it's the exact type of Graflex that you Lightsabre fans usually lust after.

I tried a few searches, here and elsewhere, but just got thousands of pages all about people's different Lightsabre builds, but they just say "the 3-cell one".

Star Wars ain't my forte, so I don't know if the same handle was used for all the sabres or if different ones were used for different Jedi/Sith.

Is there anywhere with a sort of Layman's guide (with pictures) to which type(s) of Graflex flashes were used to make the various Lightsabres?


If it *is* one of the sought-after types, there may be a For Sale thread popping up here...


Thanks,
Woody.

 

[Organic Mechanic]

<<< Not an expert.

But as far as I can tell from many Google searches, and lots of reading here and similar places, there are only two Graflex flash guns that look "right" for Luke's ANH/ESB saber. The 3 cell, and the 2 cell. The distinction, just like with Maglights, is the length. Open the bottom, and see how many batteries will fit. Luke's was the 3 Cell.

There is also the one used for Luke's Holiday Special saber, but it looks completely different. I don't remember what it's called though.

 

[Clutch]

Try narrowing your search.

 

[Sidewinder]

This is basically what you want to see.

SAS

 

[Ttaskmaster]

Try narrowing your search.

My Google-Fu is reasonable.
But I mostly just get info about Luke, Luke, Luke and that one ANH Sabre.

What about all the other Lightsabres?
Were they all made from the same Graflex, then?

 

[phase pistol]

If I understand your questions, your answers may be found at "Parts of Star Wars"

------- The Parts of Star Wars --------

But basically, the Graflex 3-cell was used for the Luke Skywalker "New Hope" and "Empire Strikes Back" sabers, as well as the Darth Vader "Return of the Jedi" saber.

Ben Kenobi's "New Hope" saber was a collection of disparate found objects bolted together. Vader's ANH and ESB sabers were made from an MPP (another brand of flash gun handle), but his ROTJ saber was a repainted Graflex saber with other parts attached.

Luke's ROTJ saber appeared as several different props, but was mostly a newly constructed gadget made to resemble Ben's ANH saber.

Karl

 

[Ttaskmaster]

Yeah, that looks like what I was after, thank-you!

I think I'd seen that site a few months back, but never bothered to bookmark it.

Well, I can't recall if she has a 2 or 3 cell flash.
Don't think that it's the same one here, the 2310165 one - the vent/slot bits at the top look different, but certainly some kind of vintage Graflex flash unit.

I'll be getting a close-up look later this week, so I'll get some photos and see what further I can find.

 

[Clutch]

Two-cell flashes can be used. Just replace the 2-cell tube with a repro 3-cell one.

 

[Jm419]

Two-cell flashes can be used. Just replace the 2-cell tube with a repro 3-cell one.

That's what I did.

 

[OldKen]

She probably found a graf-lite (sp?) Graflex Synchronizer Battery Case. It would have square holes and a red square button at the top surrounded by a black housing.

The only saber this was used for is Lukes "holiday special" Saber. http://www.partsofsw.com/

Vaders saber was a German made flash. And the prequels are all customs.

 

[Trooper_trent]

there's also an earlier version of the correct style 3 cell that has pin stripes wrapping around the front where the plugs are. It also has a lever "telegraph" style button instead of the later used red push button. I know because I was a little over zealous when I first got into the hobby and snatched one up, thinking it was a good deal. I later replaced it with the correct version. I think I still have it around here somewhere. If I can find it, I'll snap a picture.

 

[Ttaskmaster]

I'll be re-visiting her place on Friday, so I'll know then and can get you some pics.

 

[defstartrooper]

She probably found a graf-lite (sp?) Graflex Synchronizer Battery Case. It would have square holes and a red square button at the top surrounded by a black housing.

The only saber this was used for is Lukes "holiday special" Saber. ------- The Parts of Star Wars --------

Vaders saber was a German made flash. And the prequels are all customs.

Vaders saber was an MPP flash and it's a British company not German.

 

[Kittlemeier]

there's also an earlier version of the correct style 3 cell that has pin stripes wrapping around the front where the plugs are. It also has a lever "telegraph" style button instead of the later used red push button. I know because I was a little over zealous when I first got into the hobby and snatched one up, thinking it was a good deal. I later replaced it with the correct version. I think I still have it around here somewhere. If I can find it, I'll snap a picture.

I actually really like that design. Love to find one. PM sent.

 

[Cheeflet]

Vaders saber was a German made flash.

mpp flash is german?

i had always heard it was from the uk

 

[Jamanticus]

mpp flash is german?

i had always heard it was from the uk

You are correct- the MPP flash is from the UK, although its design is a copy of a German flash.

 

[Cheeflet]

youre referring to the heiland?

ok i see. i had always though the heiland was the copy. not vice versa

 

[Ttaskmaster]

Defstar did just say it was British!! :lol

 

[Vaderman]

Many Germans have used the MPP flash, hence the confusion.

 

[Ttaskmaster]

OK, not quite as expected after all.
It's a genuine Graflex camera with all the associated gubbins.

But... well, I think the pictures speak enough: