Glad to see there's still some interest in this classic vintage prop since I posted a research thread two years ago.
It's been an on-and-off R&D effort for me for the past three years. I even have an investor lined up to make these because he desperately wants one for himself. I've collected every conceivable photo reference, made one found item discovery thanks to a fellow member (the mouthpiece - see below) and have been searching high and low for the correct loafer. I even met Don Adams twice at celebrity cons before his death (duh.
), but unfortunately his memory was very foggy, to put it mildly.
Here are some photos of the original prop plus teasers of my progress:
The shoe is still the hardest part to reproduce, but I found an offshore vendor that could do a custom pattern based on the photo references as well as an electronics company that could replicate the vintage yellow phenolic circuit board. The ear piece, silver disc, and dial ring would be machined, and the mouthpiece is a found microphone, which would have to be reworked and mounted on a hinge. The replica will have a removable sole and heel, and a custom wooden display case and plaque.
I can't promise any progress in the near future, but I certainly plan on getting to it later this year after I clear my plate of my other projects.
- Gabe