Live Fire DL-44 ESB Luke/Han Bespin

mptachenko · Jan 16, 2018

I finally have some time and energy to get started on a new DL-44 project. I built a live fire ANH DL-44 a little over a year ago and made a thread here to record the process. It went very well and I posted some videos of me blasting stuff when I finished it. l then got a little over zealous and overwhelmed by collecting parts and kits and building a couple blasters on Denix frames for other people. I was going to build a Hoth and ROTJ DL-44 on Denix frames for myself but I decided to clean house and focus on another live fire DL-44. I am going to build the Bespin blaster since it was built on a C96 Mauser and I have always liked that version. I think it’s cool that it seems to have been used by both Luke and Han in the movie. Han had another DL-44 he used in the filming and in promo shots but the “Luke” DL-44 is the one that made it in the film during the classic Han vs. Vader dinner scene. I have an appropriate Broomhandle for the conversion so it is time to get started!

mptachenko · Jan 16, 2018

Custom made flash suppressor with the center undrilled so I can fit it securely to the barrel. Original M19 Sherman tank scope. I got the scope out of the U.K. which I think is rather cool. I'm sure the originals came out of the U.K. for filming in Elstree. I bet there are a lot, if not more scopes in Europe. Often it was cheaper to sell and/or destroy military items rather than transport them from their theater of war back to the States. I wonder if thats how Bapty ended up with many of them and thats how they ended up in the films?

BR12819 · Jan 17, 2018

I'm liking what you're doing here. Looking forward to watching your progress!

Psab keel · Jan 17, 2018

I know it may be blasphemous but I always loved the ESB blasters with the shorter scope as opposed to Han's in ANH. I look forward to seeing your build. There's something really cool about live fire blasters!

thd9791 · Jan 17, 2018

I agree with the above. This is the epitomy of replica propmaking - using the actual firing parts they did!

mptachenko · Jan 18, 2018

There seems to be several different ways the flash hider was mounted. I wonder how many different Mauser versions they made. Then there were also resin versions. One looks like the barrel was just cut off. Another looks like it was just pushed through. These two shots one of Luke and another of Han look like they could be the same blaster by looking at the way the barrel crowns

Then there are these...

I'm trying to decide what would be best to build. What is most screen accurate or maybe go with an idealized version. I could build a "better" one than what was actually in the films. Like what BlastTech would have made in real life by professional "Blastersmiths" rather than a low budget prop company

mptachenko · Jan 21, 2018

I started taking the Sherman M19 scope/sight assembly apart. It needed to be gone over and cleaned up some. I am glad I got a nice one with original mount. It was pretty special being the first one in it after 75 years or more. I also love how when the ring is illuminated the reticle lights up. I got a nice close up photo of the reticle all lit up!

matty matt · Jan 22, 2018

mptachenko said:
There seems to be several different ways the flash hider was mounted. I wonder how many different Mauser versions they made. Then there were also resin versions. One looks like the barrel was just cut off. Another looks like it was just pushed through. These two shots one of Luke and another of Han look like they could be the same blaster by looking at the way the barrel crowns
View attachment 788335 View attachment 788336

Then there are these...

View attachment 788337 View attachment 788338

I'm trying to decide what would be best to build. What is most screen accurate or maybe go with an idealized version. I could build a "better" one than what was actually in the films. Like what BlastTech would have made in real life by professional "Blastersmiths" rather than a low budget prop company

You're right, these are all the same blaster. The Luke live fire.

scottjua · Jan 22, 2018

Matt beat me to it, but yes... they only had two live firing props on ESB, and they were very close to identical. There's plenty of tells of course, so in time once you study them they become very apparent.

I built my live fire ESB a few years ago, so feel free to hit me with any questions. It was much easier than the ANH to get reliable.

mptachenko · Jan 24, 2018

scottjua said:
Matt beat me to it, but yes... they only had two live firing props on ESB, and they were very close to identical. There's plenty of tells of course, so in time once you stay them they become very apparent.

I built my live fire ESB a few years ago, so feel free to hit me with any questions. It was much easier than the ANH to get reliable.

Since you have done this Scott- how did you end up attaching the scope mount so it did not rotate. I was thinking about adding a second post attached to the frame of the gun that goes up into the scope mount but is still hidden by the spacer and threaded knob. That seems strong enough and simple.

scottjua · Jan 24, 2018

It's silver soldered, and has three stainless screws through the mount and spacer into the body. Plus the main stud.

mgoob · Jan 24, 2018

I just got my parts last week and plan on adding a smaller diameter threaded rod, off-center from the main bolt, from the pistol thru the spacer and scopemount to keep it from spinning.
The frame of my pistol has been slightly crushed and when the lock frame is inserted the whole thing won't move.
No way I can think of to spread the frame apart to it's proper diameter.
Therefore it can't be a live fire but will be made from a real steel pistol.

mptachenko · Jan 25, 2018

mgoob said:
I just got my parts last week and plan on adding a smaller diameter threaded rod, off-center from the main bolt, from the pistol thru the spacer and scopemount to keep it from spinning.
The frame of my pistol has been slightly crushed and when the lock frame is inserted the whole thing won't move.
No way I can think of to spread the frame apart to it's proper diameter.
Therefore it can't be a live fire but will be made from a real steel pistol.

Sorry for your luck on the frame. I was think about doing the off center thing too but Scotts idea sound nice too. We will see what I end up with.

mptachenko · Jan 27, 2018

I was going to use this scope mount that I got a while back.

It is better than many but not quite right. The hole is not in the right spot but that would have been easy to move. The bend is also not a perfect 90 angle.
I just ran across Bobadebt's mounts he is selling. Seeing that this is going to be a higher end build I just ordered his.
I might as well try and make this as accurate as I can!

- - - Updated - - -

Also, has any one compared Scotjua's knurled knob to BobaDebt's knurled knob?
Which one is more accurate??

Bradberry00 · Jan 27, 2018

I have both knurled knobs, they are VERY similar. The only difference I can see is in the number of knurls. Scott's seems to have less than BobaDebt's.

mptachenko said:
I was going to use this scope mount that I got a while back.

View attachment 790343 View attachment 790345 View attachment 790346

It is better than many but not quite right. The hole is not in the right spot but that would have been easy to move. The bend is also not a perfect 90 angle.
I just ran across Bobadebt's mounts he is selling. Seeing that this is going to be a higher end build I just ordered his.
I might as well try and make this as accurate as I can!

- - - Updated - - -

Also, has any one compared Scotjua's knurled knob to BobaDebt's knurled knob?
Which one is more accurate??

scottjua · Jan 27, 2018

I made the prototype for Bobadebts part and sent it to him, but he may have added more lines of knurling... no clue. I honestly never bothered to count them or compare. I used a standard knurl when making mine. I was more concerned with the shape and dimensions.

Bradberry00 · Jan 27, 2018

The shape and dimensions look good on Bobadebt's....it is hard to tell in this photo because of the weathering on the one painted, but Bobadebt's in on the left and Scott's on the right.

scottjua said:
I made the prototype for Bobadebts part and sent it to him, but he may have added more lines of knurling... no clue. I honestly never bothered to count them or compare. I used a standard knurl when making mine. I was more concerned with the shape and dimensions.

scottjua · Jan 27, 2018

I also file my knurls a bit so they aren't as sharp. When I look at reference, it seems like the knurls on the original just isn't shat deep and sharp

mptachenko · Feb 27, 2018

Finally got some more work done.

mptachenko · Feb 27, 2018

False barrel tip to mimic the original barrel poking through the flash hider.

Live Fire DL-44 ESB Luke/Han Bespin

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