Vintage TOS Starfleet Command Jim Kirk Phaser II

[TopgunTech2]

The man legally changed his name to the Captain of the USS Enterprise! Circa late 1970's thru early 1990's, his phaser II’s were copied from a first version Brad Nelson phaser. The P2 body is sand cast aluminum and the P1 vacuum formed plastic. One side of the handle profile is flat as the early Nelson handle was filled in between the tubes. This flat surface was the substrate for the early Nelson phaser II Velcro handle detail. Jim’s phasers were never sold with electronics although his catalogs at some point indicated one was “coming soon”. A least 3 prop builders I am aware of added electronics to this phaser II. More on that next…

This particular SC phaser II features a smooth nozzle versus splined. An alleged payment “dispute” with the machine shop stopped the machining process. SC used the unfinished nozzles regardless. Kind of matches the smooth rear knob that we usually see partially painted black (sometimes with a marker). The phaser pictured was restored a few years ago to match how it was originally created in early 1980.

It is important to note that the SC phaser II’s have only three rear fins while Brad’s have always had four. This was one of the stipulations Brad made in addition to having them use a different meter in the P1. Aspirator Mylar, rear knobs, thumbwheels, and other jewelry changed throughout the production run. The machined aluminum parts were copies of Brad’s, often not quite as accurate.

 

[TopgunTech2]

First version Brad Nelson phaser II handle profile for reference. SC removed the Velcro strip prior to sand casting copies.

 

[TopgunTech2]

As to SC phaser II's with electronics... Richard Coyle is the first to come to mind, adding his version of light & sound to this phaser. Richard's build below, easy enough to tell with his signature red button trigger.

 

[TopgunTech2]

Marco Enterprises also added electronics to the SC phaser II.

 

[TopgunTech2]

The only other known builder to add electronics to this phaser is CY Productions. I have no reference images to post so hopefully they are a member here and will reply with images and or further details. The SC phaser II's were also sold as kits, below.

 

[TopgunTech2]

Did anyone actually purchase and receive the deluxe electronic phaser listed here?

 

[phasernut]

The man legally changed his name to the Captain of the USS Enterprise! Circa late 1970's thru early 1990's, his phaser II’s were copied from a first version Brad Nelson phaser. The P2 body is sand cast aluminum and the P1 vacuum formed plastic. One side of the handle profile is flat as the early Nelson handle was filled in between the tubes. This flat surface was the substrate for the early Nelson phaser II Velcro handle detail. Jim’s phasers were never sold with electronics although his catalogs at some point indicated one was “coming soon”. A least 3 prop builders I am aware of added electronics to this phaser II. More on that next…

This particular SC phaser II features a smooth nozzle versus splined. An alleged payment “dispute” with the machine shop stopped the machining process. SC used the unfinished nozzles regardless. Kind of matches the smooth rear knob that we usually see partially painted black (sometimes with a marker). The phaser pictured was restored a few years ago to match how it was originally created in early 1980.

It is important to note that the SC phaser II’s have only three rear fins while Brad’s have always had four. This was one of the stipulations Brad made in addition to having them use a different meter in the P1. Aspirator Mylar, rear knobs, thumbwheels, and other jewelry changed throughout the production run. The machined aluminum parts were copies of Brad’s, often not quite as accurate.

I still have several old catalogs from the days past. These pics you posted reminded me of this order I attempted back in the day. I wanted the phaser 2 in the catalog sooo bad. (Now I know it's an early Richard Coyle). What I recieved was what you have pictured. Rough metal, and just completely unfinished looking. Luckily I was able to send it back for a refund.

 

[TopgunTech2]

I still have several old catalogs from the days past. These pics you posted reminded me of this order I attempted back in the day. I wanted the phaser 2 in the catalog sooo bad. (Now I know it's an early Richard Coyle). What I recieved was what you have pictured. Rough metal, and just completely unfinished looking. Luckily I was able to send it back for a refund.

And now that rough metal phaser is quite collectible! But in our youth we're like, "what the heck is this?". The replicas Richard made for Lincoln Enterprises are also very collectible. TOS history!

 

[Nascence]

And now that rough metal phaser is quite collectible! But in our youth we're like, "what the heck is this?". The replicas Richard made for Lincoln Enterprises are also very collectible. TOS history!

View attachment 1834136

I own one those PHASER II pistols
I got this one from Intergalactic Trading Company back in the early/mid 1990’s
Never knew these were, originally sold through Lincoln Enterprises, back in the day.
Never knew who actually made these, either!
This was a Richard Coyle prop replica?
It’s just okay.
The P1 wasn't hollowed out enough to clear the 9V battery and it always pops out of the PHASER II body.
While mine is made of resin, I never liked that the emitter nozzle was made of silver painted resin, instead of it being a nice shiny metal/aluminium nozzle
At the time, I paid $80 U.S.D. for it.
Decent made prop replica for its time.
I added an aluminium heat aspirator plate/“crispy” some time ago, over that ugly speaker area with, what is now, rusty looking wire mesh over that area.
Looks much better.
This PHASER II pistol appears to have some of the same look of Bradley Nelson’s own PHASER II pistol props, though.
Was every Star Trek PHASER pistol prop replica maker using Mr. Nelson’s PHASER body design, as a defacto or like “Gold standard” for a Star Trek PHASER II body design, through the 1980’s and 1990’s?

 

[TopgunTech2]

"That does not look like the Jim Kirk I met."

Moved my reply to drusselmeyer comment above here (off my topic for the Brad Nelson phaser prototype)

An early interview archive of Jim Kirk...

 

[TopgunTech2]

Brad Nelson, Ed Miarecki, Mike DesChenes, Jim Kirk. Circa 1978 images. (creator of the collage unknown)

 

[Larry Mager]

A buddy of mine, now deceased, unfortunately owned all three of Jim Kirks Landing Party equipment and they came WITH the Electronics installed, fwiw.

 

[Nicksdad]

There is a 35mm slide auction on ebay right now from a 1973 Star Trek convention and guess who is pictured along with I think
his brother. Pretty interesting history.

 

[Nascence]

I've actually met Ed Miarecki, a few times, over the years.
He used to live very close to my location, back when I was younger. He sinced move completely out of my area.
I don't recognise any of these other men.
The one I met, in CT, with the all cast aluminium PHASER II was clean shaven, was much taller than I ( I was between 5 foot 7 and 5 foot 8, back then ), was, somewhat, overweight ( not too much ) and did not wear a Trek uniform shirt. Just dresed in a normal, casual looking, button down collar shirt ( didn't pay attention to what kind of pants the man wore ( I want to say bluejeans, but really do not remember that, only the button down shirt ) and was quite friendly to everyone that had surrounded that dealer's/display table.
I guess I never met Mr. Nelson or Mr. Kirk, at all.
Was anyone else helping Mr. Kirk or Mr. Nelson sell their electronic PHASERs that anyone can recall?

Brad Nelson, Ed Miarecki, Mike DesChenes, Jim Kirk. Circa 1978 images. (creator of the collage unknown)

View attachment 1836849

 

[Apollo]

I've actually met Ed Miarecki, a few times, over the years.
He used to live very close to my location, back when I was younger. He sinced move completely out of my area.
I don't recognise any of these other men.
The one I met, in CT, with the all cast aluminium PHASER II was clean shaven, was much taller than I ( I was between 5 foot 7 and 5 foot 8, back then ), was, somewhat, overweight ( not too much ) and did not wear a Trek uniform shirt. Just dresed in a normal, casual looking, button down collar shirt ( didn't pay attention to what kind of pants the man wore ( I want to say bluejeans, but really do not remember that, only the button down shirt ) and was quite friendly to everyone that had surrounded that dealer's/display table.
I guess I never met Mr. Nelson or Mr. Kirk, at all.
Was anyone else helping Mr. Kirk or Mr. Nelson sell their electronic PHASERs that anyone can recall?

I was helping Bill and Brad!