The Ultimate Luke ANH Graflex Research & Discussion Thread

[Gregatron]

A completely random thought, but one that’s been percolating in my head for some time—


I’ve increasingly suspected that the Obi-Wan Chronicles saber (apparently) had chrome tape on the clamp because that particular clamp was pretty beat up, and had missing plating. There’s been speculation that the Graflex and/or the other ANH sabers (rotating blade stunts, Obi-Wan Tunisia, etc.) may have had tape, but no definitive evidence.

The Obi-Wan Tunisia saber appears to have been the primary belt-hanger (at least for location filming), with the Chronicles being more well-known because it can be seen in Guinness’ hand in the Death Star hallways, was dropped on the floor in the death scene, and was the version photographed for reference.

But, when it comes to the Graflex, there’s no firm evidence of chrome tape. And, in ESB, only the 1/2” tape was used on the clamp, rather than the whole thing being covered.

In conclusion, I think that the clamp tape was a one-off for that particular Obi-Wan clamp, and not evidence that tape was used on all of the ANH clamps.

 

[Thorin1138]

Maybe a question answered elsewhere and I missed it, but is there any real consensus on the type of clamp/clamp lever used for the hero graflex?

 

[ChrisRWars]

Maybe a question answered elsewhere and I missed it, but is there any real consensus on the type of clamp/clamp lever used for the hero graflex?

Smooth pins on some ref photos indicate a folmer graflex so unless parts were swapped out I think that’s all we have to go by? ESB was defo a Folmer no pat if I’m not mistaken so if we’ve anything to go by it would be that.

Although they had loadssssss of parts to swap, chop and change with when they were on shoot so who knows?

Unless I’m wrong and there’s definitive evidence the clamp was either an inc or a folmer?

 

[Scruffylooking]

ANH graflex unlocked! Can finally add a genuine RAF stamped Folmer no patent graflex to the collection.

All the correct details are present (except for the chrome bunny ears/ring). Huge thanks to Ian Smith - The Ninja - for the opportunity.

 

[APOLLO IND]

ANH graflex unlocked! Can finally add a genuine RAF stamped Folmer no patent graflex to the collection. View attachment 1907931View attachment 1907932All the correct details are present (except for the chrome bunny ears/ring). Huge thanks to Ian Smith - The Ninja - for the opportunity.

WOWZA!! What a unicorn! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[db94]

Congratulations on finding your grail piece - worth the wait and an amazing addition to your collection. Delighted for you mate

 

[Captain Dunsel]

ANH graflex unlocked! Can finally add a genuine RAF stamped Folmer no patent graflex to the collection. View attachment 1907931View attachment 1907932All the correct details are present (except for the chrome bunny ears/ring). Huge thanks to Ian Smith - The Ninja - for the opportunity.

Perfect! Now—go slather some glue oj some grips and pop some rivets into that thing

 

[schrodinger555]

Hey guys! Wondering if anyone had seen these before.

This is a folmer lever with a shiny standard early folmer finish, but a large rivet! It's original, and has an offset rivet like you see in some later levers. I think this is a likely candidate for what is seen in the ANH prop as it has all the correct hallmarks, shiny, large tall rivet, etc.

Let me know what you guys think! I've checked it against three other folmer levers I have all with the normal dark hammered rivet, and the actual finish is the same. I've never seen an inc lever with a finish like this before.

 

[IronDestinyProps]

Nice lever!

From what I've seen of the reference photos of the original prop, the lever rivet is noticeably larger than this or any current known Folmer/Inc style rivets which leads me to speculate the original was defective and was replaced with the oversized one either by the original owner or camera shop where Roger found the flash stash or (highly unlikely) Roger did the repair himself and doesn't remember doing it, ha. I'm betting on the former possible explanation though.

 

[Media Man]

Hey guys! Wondering if anyone had seen these before.

This is a folmer lever with a shiny standard early folmer finish, but a large rivet! It's original, and has an offset rivet like you see in some later levers. I think this is a likely candidate for what is seen in the ANH prop as it has all the correct hallmarks, shiny, large tall rivet, etc.

Let me know what you guys think! I've checked it against three other folmer levers I have all with the normal dark hammered rivet, and the actual finish is the same. I've never seen an inc lever with a finish like this before.
View attachment 1921776

I've got one of these too. There should be a dimple on the rivet head right?

 

[schrodinger555]

Nice lever!

From what I've seen of the reference photos of the original prop, the lever rivet is noticeably larger than this or any current known Folmer/Inc style rivets which leads me to speculate the original was defective and was replaced with the oversized one either by the original owner or camera shop where Roger found the flash stash or (highly unlikely) Roger did the repair himself and doesn't remember doing it, ha. I'm betting on the former possible explanation though.

I've thought about this a decent amount, I did some chronicles photos of my Obi-Wan a while ago where I tried to copy the lighting conditions as much as possible. Now that this saber is finished I'm going to do the same and see if I can end up with a similar look to the rivet on the promo photos. v312 did something similar with his a few pages back. I don't agree that it was a repair yet, but maybe you're right.

I've got one of these too. There should be a dimple on the rivet head right?

Yes there is a dimple in the center, it looks like from whatever tool was holding it while it was riveted from the back. I just looked back in the thread a little bit and saw you post your lever! I do think they are the same variant.

 

[IronDestinyProps]

This is what I feel like I'm seeing in the reference photos (vintage bubbles):

In the refs, the rivet is a minimum of that size but no smaller.

 

[bobasfett]

I call it the nipple pin. I have some on some of my earlier flashes. I think these were some kind of transition pin between the older bare metal pin and the later Inc style. As far as the head size, fuzzy reference can play tricks esp with lighting. I'm an old timer, so was around when reference really sucked ass and what you thought you were seeing wasn't really what you were seeing - King Sol says hello.

 

[Farrells Props]

 

[Bonf16]

Ok so after all this discussion i still can't seem to find what the believed build for it is. The forum constantly goes back and forth on what the upper part and Clamp is, whether its an inc top with Folmer parts or just a Folmer.

Also has the large lever rivet ever been found? or was that likely made out of factory

 

[schrodinger555]

Read the thread again, it's all laid out pretty clearly. It's a model of flash sent to the RAF that has some very clear details outlined in the first several pages of this thread. Chromed ears, shiny rivet, early folmer pins, folmer eye, folmer red button etc. they're all details that are found only on very early flashes, like the "1928" or telegraph. The bottom stamping is unknown but is likely a no patent folmer bottom if it is the bottom that came with the flash originally. The lever is debated, I think it's like the lever I posted about recently.

 

[Bonf16]

Read the thread again, it's all laid out pretty clearly. It's a model of flash sent to the RAF that has some very clear details outlined in the first several pages of this thread. Chromed ears, shiny rivet, early folmer pins, folmer eye, folmer red button etc. they're all details that are found only on very early flashes, like the "1928" or telegraph. The bottom stamping is unknown but is likely a no patent folmer bottom if it is the bottom that came with the flash originally. The lever is debated, I think it's like the lever I posted about recently.

Ok but chromed ears aren't very specific cause they all look the same to me.

 

[schrodinger555]

Chromed finish versus brushed nickel are two completely different things, if they all look the same to you then you need to look closer