DL-44 FDM c96 & MGC replicas…

[mgoob]

That's NUTS giving them original props & costumes!
Even if there is an attendant!

BIG thanks to roymanns & @chubbsAND doggers

We can see what mortifactor couldn't back in July of 2016 in Japan: (DL-44 ESB Blaster Discussion - Greeblies POST 208)

• the back of the bracket is unpainted, same as Luke's blaster
• motor coil bits above the trigger are missing
• nuts to either side of pistons are either brass or zinc plated
• extractor isn't painted

Confirms what he said he saw, I mean no reason to have doubted him at all.
BIG thanks to him AGAIN!

• "The mgc barrel was cut approx 1cm shorter than the edge of the flash hider. Its plugged and the plug is black."
• "Inside the hood of the flash hider is darkened with the same weathering as on the outside."
• "The spacer is made from 2 things"
• "Flash hider is 100% aluminium. The exposed bits had minor scratches on, its definitely aluminium."

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Han Solo’s HOTH Blaster from The Empire Strikes Back. First time ever since filming that it’s been seen with the “mystery knob” back in place. Just like the actual prop this is built on an MGC replica Mauser using parts inspired from many (mortifactor & Dann to name a few) and then designed by myself. MGC’s are long extinct and are now highly sought after collectors item among Star Wars enthusiasts (reasons are obvious) as well as firearm replica collectors. Being it’s an MGC and all the parts are very closely and accurately scaled out this is pretty much a 1:1 replica of what Harrison Ford carried in Norway while filming the famous “Imperial probe droid” scene.


“It’s a good bet the Empire knows we’re here”

 

[mgoob]

Indeed, it probably looked like that.
What did you use?
It looks like a Windage/ Elevation cap from a scope.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Indeed, it probably looked like that.
What did you use?
It looks like a Windage/ Elevation cap from a scope.

View attachment 1012690

Thanks! I didn’t use anything honestly. I designed all these parts so I can create instead of look for something. It’s a bit of a cheat if ur a real world, real part type of person. But its also really fun to see what you can come up with. The guidelines I gave myself was to use a part that we’ve seen before as that seems happens a lot with these SW builds.

I read somewhere that they just pulled parts from a limited amount of “greeblies” for all these builds. So with that in mind I started looking at parts I’ve already created and if they appeared anywhere else. But first it had to be similar to that pic you put up. This is how I saw that pic fyi..

With that in mind I noticed Fett’s ee3 scope had some windage/elewin knobs that looked very similar to the Greedo Killer’s. So that’s what I ended up using when I designed these..

I had to change some things like hollow it out and resize it a bit but it gives the overall appearance of something you’ve seen before while staying true to that Hoth imagine (or how I see it)..

Here is FM Hoth (without the knob) and my Hoth with the knob. The knob is removable as well..

 

[mgoob]

Ive gotta see if I have a cap that would work- would try to use a magnet to hold it in place when I get to building it.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Ya magnet would work just fine if it’s metal. With this one it’s not but it’s a slip fit so it stays pretty snug.

 

[Win7ermute]

While I thoroughly appreciate your attention to detail on the screen-used piece, I just find it a little sad that any kind of professional prop master thought it was acceptable to sharpie the knurls on there. No way I want that paean to laziness hanging on my wall.

Again no offense to you sir. Love your work.

 

[mrwax]

No way I want that paean to laziness hanging on my wall.

Now that's a word! While it probably won't make its way into my vocabulary, I'm happy to have learned it.

Regarding the blaster, if I made one I think I'd have to go the sharpie route. I don't think it looks good, but it tells its own story of how and why props are made the way they are. Plus in a collection of other DL-44s, I could stand to have one with such a thrown together element to it.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

While I thoroughly appreciate your attention to detail on the screen-used piece, I just find it a little sad that any kind of professional prop master thought it was acceptable to sharpie the knurls on there. No way I want that paean to laziness hanging on my wall.

Again no offense to you sir. Love your work.

lol ya it’s kind of crazy to think they did it this way but it does grow on you. Especially if ur building it urself.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

This was a fun quick build. It’s one of those c96 watergun Mausers that have recently popped up for sale on eBay. They are scaled correctly and it looks like they used an MGC when making the mold. Doesn’t shoot water very accurately but it’s still fun. Here are some pics including side by side with an MGC Hoth build for size comparison...

 

[russellsch]

Holy cow! That looks amazing!!
Did you glue the mount on?
Looks great! A little paint & you'd never know.

 

[E Williams]

No kidding, that looks to be a great base for static builds of the MGC blasters. Just gotta fill it with some resin. They even have a painted one that includes the storage shoulder stock! Looks like the same brand that did the excellent Blade Runner water pistols too. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Holy cow! That looks amazing!!
Did you glue the mount on?
Looks great! A little paint & you'd never know.

Thanks russellsch! No I actually drilled in 4/20 hole and tapped it. Screwed on the mount the same way you’d do it on a denix or MGC. No water leaks either as it seals up nice and tight

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

No kidding, that looks to be a great base for static builds of the MGC blasters. Just gotta fill it with some resin. They even have a painted one that includes the storage shoulder stock! Looks like the same brand that did the excellent Blade Runner water pistols too. Thanks for the heads up!

Ya it should be perfect for COSplaying as well. Might have to design some grips for these that I can get printed up to replace the “9” and then we are golden!

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Here is a link to a video I posted on Instagram to see it in action..

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Win7ermute]

lol ya it’s kind of crazy to think they did it this way but it does grow on you. Especially if ur building it urself.

Quick question, what do we think the inner part of the "thorens disc" is made of, brass? Just trying to figure out how to weather mine.

Thx

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Quick question, what do we think the inner part of the "thorens disc" is made of, brass? Just trying to figure out how to weather mine.

Thx

When u say the inner part of the “thorens disk” do u mean this part by chance?

 

[Win7ermute]

When u say the inner part of the “thorens disk” do u mean this part by chance?View attachment 1037144

You betcha !

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

You betcha !

From my understanding it’s glue not brass that you are looking at. But let me quote mortifactor directly as he was kind enough to share his finding a while back in TESB dl-44 thread. This info has been invaluable to many (myself included) here on RPF..

“Thorens staining is a grey gloopy looking filler or glue that is unknown to me. Its about 1cm in diameter but irregular as you'd expect. It's slightly glossy in an irregular way. The closest colour match I can think of is the old lego light grey colour.”

“Thoren's disk was only identified (mis-identified) from a magazine photo of the prop from a decade or so ago, the prop is in the same condition nowadays (with the same paint/glue pattern) and the part that was said to be a thoren's was definitely not one. So there is no reason for a thoren's disk to enter the conversation anymore, as familiar a part it may feel.”

 

[Win7ermute]

From my understanding it’s glue not brass that you are looking at.

Oh. So that yellowy/brassy colour I am seeing is just lighting ? How are people replicating that ?