Fake. But a good fake.
Details do not match the known (non-Greg Jein) heroes. Velcro on the wrong side of the P1, no hint of a P1 jewel, some body details/shapes (trigger box, P1 cradle ribs, P1 rear taper, etc.) don’t match the Jein, when they should be identical, since the heroes and midgrades all appear to have come from the same molds.
The paint and aging also look a little too sloppy and distressed, especially when compared to the Jein.
Personally, I find what's going on here quite interesting. Mind you, I am not out to deliberately embarrass anyone on here but I find some of these comments patently absurd.
You are all behaving as if these things weren't "work-a-day film props" that were written-off (as accounts see things) or "consumed" during filming. At the time these things were never religious Icons of any sort. One MUST keep in mind, these were used and greatly abused during the shooting of the original show. Have any of you ever worked on so much as
one actual "Hollywood" production?
That said, by your own comments, it appears you are all
experts, (and that's despite one claim to the contrary) why is it then that Heritage Auctions did not ask any of you to in come and give your opinions as to the authenticity?
----Are any of you aware of just who it was that they
did ask to do this verification, and provide truly genuine expert authentication?
To further explain what I am postulating:
All of you have ignored/overlooked Wah Chang's reportedly having possession
in order to repair the thing, ostensibly for damage accrued during filming. Even perhaps for a broken off acrylic "emitter tip" which would then have to be replaced and therefore no longer identical with the initial "original" piece. It was not simply "stuck in" either. So, pomder this: how is it that those cracks get "put" into these things? ---I do "
wonder" about that!
(Not!)
Have any of you considered how often such repairs/repaints occur during principal filming and to what extent such repairs change or even outright modify a polyester/fiberglass film prop? THREE Seasons guys, 79 episodes, that's a lot of repair work.
But what occurs to me is you are all going on and on about insignificant
external minutiae, those unimportant and most easily corrupted details as if those thing didn't change with their being thrown across a sound-stage, or Bill S. (as usual) dropping such a thing onto the studio's concrete floor, or with each repaint, or script required re-fit, etc.
---And not one of you commented on how the internal operating mechanisms are virtually identical, even down to the use of "Dykem layout fluid" (comes in blue, purple and red) on the clearly
"batch-made" operating, internal metal components. Please, tell me; HOW could that possibly be the case, if the Phaser in the upcoming auction was exclusively made from photographs?
Nor did one of you comment or even notice that under the early-on 1st season shooting schedule repaint from B&W into two tone grey, the original "Mantrap" black paint appears on the "Hand Phase" body, is easily seen wherever there are chips in that hastily brush-applied grey paint.
"GREGATRON" claims the Velcro on the wrong side compared to Greg Jein's, Um, how do you know that? The jewels were held on with what specific adhesive ---so they will be there no matter how hard
Shatner handled the things?
"ROBN1" states:
"The handle looks "quite different from Greg's (Jein)" Are you
absolutely certain you know what you are saying here Robn1?
Also:
"The other three had jewels" Precisely WHEN did these things have jewels, Robn1? Neither of the two depicted have any jewels. Is that irrefutible "proof" neither of these is an original??? Robn1 also says, the
"...contours are different" and you know this Robn1 from personally handling these things? Have you any proof that you are capable of the task of matching said contours?
"Crispy" as an adjective here? Robin1, THAT does sounds like you do enjoy those fries. And too, brush applied, enamel paint occludes a "crisp finish" you know.
"TREBOR" Sez:
"And the appearance in general just seems "off" to me." But, but, ... I though you said you weren't an
"expert" Trebor?
"ALLEY" Claims:
"The use of a stamped aluminum extra crispy that appears to have been possibly subjected to a “black wash” vs. a Mylar extra crispy." Again with the "cripsy", it's probably time to lay off all the fries and potato chips guys.
Alley, This material is embossed (rolled actually) thin (as in less than .010" thick) sheet aluminum, precisely the same stock as used on the Klingon Disrupter barrel tip "Coffins". But here, one of these Hand Phasers has the material applied inverted, 180 degrees out from the other. You are looking at the underside of the very same material! Do you see that now that I have pointed it out?
But this comment is simply too much for me to bear Alley:
"—The inability to tie this piece directly to any previously identified prop or screen shots." HOW do YOU know?
---Enough.
1) None of you noticed both grips are made entirely from brass, with the correct plugs
on both ends for conversion to Phaser III configuration. Were any of you aware of that tid-bit prior to the announcement of this auction?
2) Not one of you noticed under that early-on shooting schedule repaint into grey, the initial black paint appears where there are chips.
3) It feels as though you guys have a tough time accepting the reality of/with the final appearance and genuine crudity of that period's filmed props.
Perhaps most important:
I get a distinct feeling that you guys have some deep seated
fear, that according multiple known and true expert opinion(s) of those retained by the (not in-expert) people themselves at Heritage Auctions, and after lengthy physical examination that this
actually is a genuine, filmed Star Trek Phaser prop.
Are any of you considering the source of your own skepticism? Could this be due to the fact that the reality of this situation is the hammer price of this "
item" in all probability will be greater than each of your total self-worth? And therefore, not one of you will be
the one to ultimately own this Phaser?
As all of you would say:
I'm just saying....