Replica TOS Phaser at Smithsonian

[Mike J.]

Here are a few photos I got of the bad replica TOS phaser on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington DC, on October 13, 2011.

For more information about this phaser, please see Richard A. Coyle's article here: The Smithsonian and Star Trek


-Mike J.

 

[phase pistol]

Are they still displaying that darn Technical Manual abomination? :lol

 

[Funky]

Yeah, unfortunately the Smithsonian has been "busted" on many occassions and has done very little to correct their oversights. I suspect that they either figure it's "close enough" or that the people trying to notify them are all crackpots.

 

[micdavis]

After I visited this, I presented them with a list of 18 mistakes in their exhibit. They were not amused.

Smith Trek

Sorry about the ancient webpages. Bandwidth didn't used to be so huge.

 

[Luuke]

That's a shame they don't care enought to correct it. I mean common. For 20 bucks they could get an AA phaser and it would be accurate.

 

[Apollo]

I knew a few people past and present there and they do care it's just not a big priority for them.

The Trek collection is looked down upon by quite a few there.

That's a shame they don't care enought to correct it..

 

[WinstonWolf359]

I'd love to know where "Paul Scheeler" got that. While it's clearly not authentic it is certainly unique. I've never seen another replica of the Tech Manual phaser like it, and it's pretty rare to find a replica that didn't get at least a little distribution into fan circles. This almost seems like something hand made specifically to donate...

 

[StarTrek101]

Guys, the phaser there is not a replica, trust me, I know the president of the Smithsonian.

 

[robn1]

Guys, the phaser there is not a replica...

Then what is it?

It's clearly a fan build based on the Tech Manual phaser, which is not accurate to any of the original props.

 

[AJK001]

It's been known for years that it was a replica. If the president of the Smithsonian thinks that it is not, then he does not know what he is talking about and should talk to some experts on the subject.

 

[WNMHGB]

Guys, the phaser there is not a replica, trust me, I know the president of the Smithsonian.

I would love to trust you but it an F.J. Replica as mentioned :thumbsup

 

[Funky]

It's been known for years that it was a replica. If the president of the Smithsonian thinks that it is not, then he does not know what he is talking about and should talk to some experts on the subject.

This ^ If the president of the Smithsonian is saying this is not a replica then your friend the president of the Smithsonian is clearly an idiot. He should be replaced by someone who is more responsible and compitent enough to make sure his fact finders due their research thouroghly.

 

[Mike J.]

Guys, the secretary there is not a replicant, trust me, I know the president of the Tyrell Corporation.

 

[MustangGTR1]

One of the kits was sold on ebay years back. I had one and they were made in England....

 

[feek61]

Whomever believes the Smithsonian phaser is NOT a replica obviously does not know what they are looking at. Clearly this thing is not even close to being an authentic piece.

 

[deck5]

It is patently a fake. Your friend the president is wrong.

 

[micdavis]

You guys have no idea the conversations that went on over those phaser and communicator drawings in the tech manual.

Even back then people wouldn't listen no matter what you showed them.

 

[Apollo]

:lol Turn in your Trek card and change your name! :lol

Guys, the phaser there is not a replica, trust me, I know the president of the Smithsonian.

 

[Apollo]

:lol That's another thing there is no "President" at the Smithsonian. :lol

It is patently a fake. Your friend the president is wrong.

 

[AJK001]

:lol That's another thing there is no "President" at the Smithsonian. :lol

No wonder he doesn't know what he's talking about. :lol