Not since rivets vs. screws is there potential for such a heated debate!
As saber parts became known, the notion of chrome tape covering the Graflex logo became known. At first, it was thought that the ANH saber had a single small strip and the ESB had the wider textured tape.
As better images surfaced and more investigation was done, it seemed the textured tape was actually only on the ranch display saber, and that the thin strip was used in ESB. Knowing what to look for, it was retroactively decided that the ANH version had no tape at all. After the toe pic and other BHS images were uncovered it looked as if nothing was there.
But now there is a notion that a wide strip of chrome tape may have covered the entire clamp. Most of the photos we see are blown out somewhat. While we could see the contrast of a strip, and entirely covered clamp band may not be as obvious.
The case FOR TAPE:
1. Roger Christen has recently said tape was used in ANH to hide the logo
2. The Obi-Wan saber as seen in the Chronicles book makes use of chrome tape on the clamp band
3. The V3/shared stunt saber also has chrome tape covering the band
The case AGAINST TAPE:
1. Roger Christen has contradicted himself many times, he's old, it was 40 years ago
2. It is not known if the SS/V3 and Obi-Wan hero had the tape during filming, or if it was added later
3. people who have spent MANY hundreds of hours of doing research like Tcrooz and Chaim are unconvinced and they'd know better than anyone
Photographic evidence is inconclusive... have a look:
Here we see an angle where the holes on the clamp should be visible, but they are not. To my eye, the clamp also looks marginally shinier.
Again-- the clamp finish is shinier than the rest of the graflex. Though Graflexes found in the wild tend to vary in finish as well.
A blow up of an image we've seen before, but has now been released at a higher res... the holes are NOT covered, but the logo and engraved lines are so faint it would seem like they are showing through tape.
I slapped some tape on my vintage and got a very similar look:
But now this image shows not only the holes, but also virtually no contrast or surface difference between the clamp and Graflex body:
The same could be said for the infamous toe pic:
My personal verdict?
I joke about rivets vs. screws, but I think the truth about THAT case is the same here. I think there are examples of both.
We've assumed very few Graflexes were used for ANH, but if Roger's memory can be trusted, he's said recently that he made 5-6 for the film. 2 went to Tunisia. I would assume some went to California and some stayed in London. This could easily account for the clamp box itself shifting position so frequently. I think tape was used on some of these sabers, but not on others.
As saber parts became known, the notion of chrome tape covering the Graflex logo became known. At first, it was thought that the ANH saber had a single small strip and the ESB had the wider textured tape.
As better images surfaced and more investigation was done, it seemed the textured tape was actually only on the ranch display saber, and that the thin strip was used in ESB. Knowing what to look for, it was retroactively decided that the ANH version had no tape at all. After the toe pic and other BHS images were uncovered it looked as if nothing was there.
But now there is a notion that a wide strip of chrome tape may have covered the entire clamp. Most of the photos we see are blown out somewhat. While we could see the contrast of a strip, and entirely covered clamp band may not be as obvious.
The case FOR TAPE:
1. Roger Christen has recently said tape was used in ANH to hide the logo
2. The Obi-Wan saber as seen in the Chronicles book makes use of chrome tape on the clamp band
3. The V3/shared stunt saber also has chrome tape covering the band
The case AGAINST TAPE:
1. Roger Christen has contradicted himself many times, he's old, it was 40 years ago
2. It is not known if the SS/V3 and Obi-Wan hero had the tape during filming, or if it was added later
3. people who have spent MANY hundreds of hours of doing research like Tcrooz and Chaim are unconvinced and they'd know better than anyone
Photographic evidence is inconclusive... have a look:
Here we see an angle where the holes on the clamp should be visible, but they are not. To my eye, the clamp also looks marginally shinier.
Again-- the clamp finish is shinier than the rest of the graflex. Though Graflexes found in the wild tend to vary in finish as well.
A blow up of an image we've seen before, but has now been released at a higher res... the holes are NOT covered, but the logo and engraved lines are so faint it would seem like they are showing through tape.
I slapped some tape on my vintage and got a very similar look:
But now this image shows not only the holes, but also virtually no contrast or surface difference between the clamp and Graflex body:
The same could be said for the infamous toe pic:
My personal verdict?
I joke about rivets vs. screws, but I think the truth about THAT case is the same here. I think there are examples of both.
We've assumed very few Graflexes were used for ANH, but if Roger's memory can be trusted, he's said recently that he made 5-6 for the film. 2 went to Tunisia. I would assume some went to California and some stayed in London. This could easily account for the clamp box itself shifting position so frequently. I think tape was used on some of these sabers, but not on others.