Zeiram & Zeiram 2 - What do we Know?

[Mike J.]

Having access to straight-on side views of the Z2 pistol and real Enfields, I've noticed that the front end of the Z2 revolver has been modified to allow for a longer cylinder. Iria's pistol has a longer cylinder than the Enfields by a significant amount, perhaps 5mm or more. However, I don't know why this should be. It seems like a lot of extra work for nothing...

 

[JohnsonArms]

That's looking very nice, Mike! Keep that up!

 

[Mike J.]

Thanks, Brian. Tonight I'll go to work on the cylinder.

 

[Sean]

I don't know the show's. but It's a gun. and your modeling Is looking great...

 

[Mike J.]

Thanks. After messing around for a while I think I have a better handle on how to engrave the lines into the cylinder now.

I'm going out of town this weekend, so updates will essentially cease until Tuesday at the earliest.

 

[Mike J.]

Mini update:

It looks like the 'arrowhead' marking on the grips is actually native to one of the Marushin Enfield models' grips. It may be that the original Enfield's grips were kept and modified for the hero prop.

It can be seen here: http://blog-imgs-21-origin.fc2.com/a/k/a/akainekor/AN191204.jpg


-MJ

 

[Sean]

I'm getting a 404 error from your link..

 

[Mike J.]

Try here: ??????? - ???GUN????

 

[Sean]

Try here: ??????? - ???GUN????

That one worked.

 

[Birdie]

Any more news about your Enfield suppliers?

 

[Mike J.]

Not really. My purchase from TokyoHobby.net appears to have been a mistake – It's been over a week since I placed my order, and I haven't heard a peep from them. Therefore, I have a PayPal dispute open. It looks like my best bet is going to be buying something off Yahoo Auctions Japan with the help of a third party.


-MJ

 

[Mike J.]

Some good news while I'm out of town: my PayPal dispute has been resolved in my favor! As soon as I get home I can start shopping around. Everyone have a nice weekend! See you later.

 

[Mike J.]

Back home and I've got a couple more greeblies done. Still pursuing an elusive Enfield...

 

[Mike J.]

Finally got a line on a Marushin Enfield from a member here.

Here's my (very) idealized version of one of the side greeblies. Not too happy with it. May start over from scratch.

 

[Sean]

Looks good to me...

 

[Mike J.]

Thanks.

Should have my Enfield this time tomorrow.

I'm not sure if I should keep the front end of the Enfield intact, and build a slip-on front, or if I should take it off and build a whole replacement front end and top.

I want to keep the top-break and ejector, which probably means keeping the original front end and the original latch mechanism. This latch mechanism may be problematic, as the prop gun looks to be substantially narrower than the real firearm. I know they must have fabricated a new front end from scratch, as their cylinder is longer than the Enfield's, which makes me think they might have modified the latch mechanism as well. IF it even worked on the hero prop.

Like all prop replica projects, we have the one advantage they did not: time. I'd just rather not have to rebuild and print this thing over and over. I don't really have all that much experience scratchbuilding or kit-bashing, or whatever you'd call this.

Expect some progress by Tuesday night.

 

[Mike J.]

OK, I have my Enfield.

Comparing my resin kit to the Enfield, it is evident that some shrinkage has occurred. This also means I can't use the kit's grips - they're slightly too small. If I was to try to use them, I'd have to hacksaw through an inch of solid metal in the butt of the Enfield to re-shape it, anyway. And that hunk of metal actually serves a purpose, it anchors two springs, so I can't just chuck it. Maybe that's why I can't find anyone before me who attempted this...

Looks like my replica is going to be more of a 'spiritual successor' than an exact duplicate.

I'll be doing some work in Solidworks this Wednesday night. Going to try and rebuild the front end.


-MJ

 

[Mike J.]

Progress report: Got most of the base of the front end hollowed out. I took the Enfield barrel apart, and I think I can simply re-mount the metal innards in my new front end, without having to rebuild the front end from scratch. That'll make the front half more of a conversion kit, which means I'll be happy not to have to take a hacksaw to the Enfield barrel. Also got the Zeiram gun barrel hollowed out in preparation for 3D printing. I'll need to extend the inner barrel to meet the cylinder, but I can figure that out with a new assembly. Still have yet to make plugs and holes to mount the front, bottom 'barrel' and greeblies. Upon reflection, I'm still going to need a solid part for the top break latching mechanism, so maybe the front end base is not as done as I thought it was...

... And I need to source some screws...

 

[Mike J.]

Here's a render of the new, hollow front end. Still working on it.

 

[Sean]

Nice and clean looking. how many more part's do you have to render?