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Reviews |
Han Solo - A New Hope
Elite Edition Blaster
Released : 2006
Edition Size : 1,250
Display Case : Included
Retail Price : $649.00
Part Number : : SW-160
When I first saw Star Wars (without the Episode IV: A New Hope moniker that it would later be dubbed with) all the characters intrigued me, but there were two that I latched on to: Luke and Han. I cheered for Luke, but I wanted to be Han.
He is almost a walking definition of freedom and rebellion, a bad guy from the wrong side of the tracks, but at the same time when it matters he comes through for the good guys. He was cool, he was funny, and he owned the Millenium Falcon. For his blaster the prop makers put together something that was somehow both retro and futuristic, and the way that it was prominently wielded by Harrison Ford ensured that it became synonymous with the character.
The prop used for the filming had actually seen service in a previous film from 1966: "The Naked Runner" with Frank Sinatra. For that film the prop makers had used a "Broomhandle" Mauser, when they came to use this same prop for A New Hope they got rid of the extended barrel and stock, and also removed the scope. A new scope was then added as well as a few other modifications to end up with the blaster as seen in the film.
Given the characters popularity it is no surprise that Master Replicas chose this blaster along with the Luke ROTJ lightsaber as the first two releases in their Star Wars Limited Edition line back in 2002. Like the first 500 Luke ROTJ LEs the entire run of 1500 Han LEs was made in the USA (rather than China as later became the norm). It was appropriately weathered, and had a working trigger and hammer.
However it was based on a Denix, which is a copy of a Mauser, rather than an original Mauser. Also over the next few years a number of discoveries were made about the modifications and additions made to the Mauser to form the prop and, as is also the case with the Obi-Wan ANH LE, these discoveries mean that whilst it is a very fine replica it is not screen accurate.
In mid-2006 Master Replicas announced that the next in their ‘Elite Edition’ line would be a new version of the smugglers iconic blaster, utilising the new information this would be a more accurate replica, with a working trigger and hammer, and a practical scope. At the time it was first discussed the replica was also intended to be weathered. This news was met with a mixed reaction by fans, ranging from those who thought this was a straight re-hash plain and simple, to those who thought this was going to be the definitive version of the blaster. Master Replicas later decided that to fit in with the Elite Edition line they would not weather the blaster.
The original LE was a ‘holy grail’ item for many and had risen in value over the years. That accompanied by the characters popularity and the new discoveries that were being incorporated led many to believe that this was going to be a very quick sell-out. The edition size was set at 1250 (the original LE was only 1500), and the order date and time came. An hour later it was still available. A day later it was still there. A week, a month, then several months and still it was not sold out. Not even after it had begun shipping did it sell out. At time of writing (June 2007) it is still not sold out, and I received mine from the first shipments in December 2006. To me this is surprising to say the least. Whether the cause is that there are already 1500 LEs in circulation, or that the ESB Limited Edition Han Solo blaster had watered the market for a new Han Solo blaster, or whether it was the relatively high price and the fact that it was not weathered that caused its slow sale I am just not sure. At first it was thought that the lack of good pictures may have caused a slow up-take in orders, however what with the blaster being released and plenty of new pictures emerging, and yet still no sell-out this does not appear to have been as major a factor as some might have thought.
However in my opinion the replica itself does not deserve this fate. On opening the padded foam presentation box my first impression was that it was fairly bland in appearance, presumably due to the lack of weathering. However on examining closer, and having owned it for some time now, it has a fractal complexity to it – the closer you look, the more details emerge.
The replica arrives in a slightly larger than normal box to accommodate the padded storage box to go along with the display case.
As with other blasters by Master Replicas the box does not mention the term ‘blaster’ instead referring to the item as a ‘Han Solo Replica EE.’
On opening the box the traditional disclaimer can be found attempting to make it clear that this is a fantasy replica and not a firearm.
There then follows some suitably good packaging for the various items.
The paperwork, Certificate of Authenticity, and plaque sit between the display case and the padded storage box, and the plaque stand is stored underneath the padded display box containing the blaster.
The padded display box (now unique to the Elite Editions) containing the blaster is the newer style with a sleeve and no hinge between the two sides of the foam box.
Finally the blaster can be revealed in all its glory!
One last bit of packaging awaits though as there is a small piece of cloth inserted behind the hammer to protect it in transit.
Sitting in the padded foam box alongside the blaster itself is a small piece of T-track as seen below:
This may mystify some, however it is easily explained. In the publicity shots prior to filming there are some "toggle switches" (otherwise referred to as "greeblies" or "antenna") located just behind the suppressor. The theory goes that as this was a real firing gun it was at some point fired and these broke off (along with a few other details from the sides including a disc shaped object). As this makes it debateable whether they were present or not, MR decided that they would include the option of having them present. This may seem a tiny detail, but allowing this type of modification to represent different versions of the prop as it evolved makes a big difference to some collectors. I only wish that the Luke ANH EE lightsaber had offered a similar level of modification to allow it to represent the two clamp positions representing screen used and promotional shots.
"Toggle switches" in position (as the blaster ships)
T-Track in position
In order to replace the "toggle switches" they can simply be lightly pulled away from the barrel (they are held in place with a sticky pad and two positioning rods), and the T-track can be put in their place.
The display case is a new style display case with the Elite Edition shiny ‘piano’ finish rather than the normal finish of LE/SE cases. The display case shows off the blaster to full effect, and represents a significant upgrade in the display over the original LE edition.
Having released a number of replicas without the edition sizes represented on the plaques, the Han EE is in keeping with more recent releases and includes this information.
The various details on the replica are absolutely in-keeping with the high quality expected from Master Replicas. The picture below shows the newly modified ‘fins’
The handles of the EE are real wood.
The blaster has an orange plug which is a requirement in some areas to denote a non-functional weapon.
The Copyright notice and Elite Edition stamp can be found on the bottom of the blaster.
The flash suppressor has attracted some attention as it is lighter in color than some expected.
The mysterious missing ‘disc’ can be seen in the picture below.
For just about any Star Wars collector who collects high end replicas a Han Solo blaster is likely to be one of the most sought after items. For some the Empire Strikes Back version of the blaster is more memorable, and there are definitely good reasons for this to be the case. However I have a personal attachment to the A New Hope Han blaster. Given this there are clearly two choices for an officially licensed replica – either the original Limited Edition, or this more recent Elite Edition version.
The headline differences between the LE and EE are:
- The LE is weathered (like the prop itself), the EE is pristine.
- LE was based on a Denix replica of a Mauser, the EE is based on an actual Mauser. This leads to some subtle differences in the detailing on the base gun, and scaling of some of the attached objects.
- The LE has an ‘old-style’ display case as opposed to the ‘new-style’ case supplied with the EE.
- The EE has the optional ‘toggle switches’ or ‘greeblies’ behind the suppressor.
- The EE has real wood grips, the LE has wood effect plastic grips.
- A number of minor modifications have been made to the EE from discoveries made after the production of the LE:
- The Suppressor has been revised slightly to be more accurate to the original piece.
- The front fins are based on the actual plumbing adapter as used on the original prop rather than from reference photos.
- The geometry of the scope and scope bracket has been modified slightly.
- The trigger and hammer work on both the LE and EE (although only to simulate action, not as a real working gun would).
- The EE has an orange plug, the LE does not.
An initial reading of that list may lead to the conclusion that the EE is vastly superior – however this is just not the case. Both are fine replicas, and the choice between them will be decided by a number of factors, and is in no way clear cut. For me though the primary difference is the weathering. Whilst being totally understandable leaving the EE as a pristine version in keeping with the Elite line, it still seems slightly odd that after going to all the lengths of making the EE as screen accurate as possible in terms of the detailing, it was then decided to make it less screen accurate by leaving it pristine. That said of course it is perfectly possible to weather the EE.
One thing to note is that if you like to handle the blasters (which I don't, so this doesn't bother me) - the ANH scope is so heavy that it un-balances the blaster, and digs into your hand - I have no idea how Harrison Ford swung it about so much!
Up until now I have deliberately stayed away from this quote, but in summing up I just have to include it:
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."
I strongly believe that this is a sorely underrated replica that will gain more and more appreciation over time. Whether or not it should have ever been produced can be debated ad infinitum, but the fact is that it was made, and apart from the lack of weathering it represents the most accurate licensed replica of Han Solos blaster available to date, and as such it definitely warrants serious consideration.
Review by MikeyX - 20th June 2007
All images ©2007 MikeyX.
Unauthorized copying is prohibited.
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