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Collector Spotlight
Name : Andreas G.
Collectibles : 130
View Collection
Entertainment Earth
Reviews
Rebel Troop Blaster - A New Hope
Limited Edition

Released : 2004
Edition Size : 2,500
Display Case : Included
Retail Price : $449.00
Part Number : SW-125



When Star Wars: A New Hope hit the screen back in 1977, the first image that was thrown up onto the big screen (after the Fox and Lucasfilm credits, and the opening Star Wars fanfare and crawl) was the Rebel Blockade Runner. Then a huge ship that we came to know as the Imperial Star Destroyer came into view, looming above the screen, slowly but surely dwarfing the Blockade Runner in a jaw dropping effects shot that just seemed to keep going forever. Finally the Blockade runner succumbed to the Star Destroyer, and was engulfed within a large hatch at the bottom of it.

Inside the Rebels began gathering their forces to match those that would inevitably board their ship. Each of them carried a weapon that resembled a gun, but with a shiny barrel and strange looking sight. Thus we got our first look at a weapon from the Star Wars universe: The BlastTech DH-17 Rebel Trooper Blaster.

Whilst the effects are arguably not quite as stunning now as they were on release, the impact of these opening scenes is still impressive today.

In 2004 Master Replicas reproduced the Rebel Trooper Blaster as a Limited Edition of 2500. Due to the weight and size of the replica itself and its display case this arrives in a large and heavy shipping box (although not as big as that for the Stormtrooper blaster). The approximate dimensions of the box are 28 inches in length, 11 inches wide, and 15 ˝ inches high.



As can be seen in the picture it is marked ‘Rebel Replica’ and nowhere is the word ‘blaster’ or ‘weapon’ mentioned. This may well help in preventing it from being opened when shipping it. Inside both ends the message pictured below can be found printed on bright orange paper to catch the attention in case it is opened. These additions are welcome, particularly for international customers where customs can open parcels to check on the contents.



Behind the warning, wrapped in a large cushioned bag is the black packing box itself. Inside the box, is a large Styrofoam package, on top of which is a white envelope containing the Certificate of Authenticity, and the numbered plaque.









Removing the top of the Styrofoam reveals the acrylic dust cover for the case which is wrapped in thin soft padding.



The acrylic cover can now be removed, and the top of the blaster now emerges, with several protective sleeves, and the plaque holder is held at one end.






The blaster itself can now be removed.



Removing the next layer of Styrofoam reveals the base of the display case nicely protected.



Finally the blaster can be displayed in all its glory.












The Certificate of Authenticity for the Rebel Blaster (which is actually more detailed about the prop origin than many recent CoAs) states that “The Rebel blaster was the first Star Wars weapon to appear on-screen and was modelled after a 1950’s British sub-machine gun (also the model for the Stormtrooper blaster).” This is largely true, although a slight simplification. Without delving into all the details, for which there is other reference material available, some additional information is provided here in the context of the Master Replicas versions of these props. The similarity in the underlying parts can be seen in the comparison shots of the MR replicas.



There were at least 8 variations on the Stormtrooper blaster seen in ANH (and throughout the original trilogy). Almost all of these variants of the Stormtrooper blaster were constructed using British Sterling Mk4/L2A3 submachine guns as the basis, and the differences are around the scopes, use of wires, and other various bits and pieces that were used to modify the prop. In some cases for variations where original Sterlings were not the basis of the prop, MGC (Model Gun Corporation) Sterling replicas were used instead.



MGC Sterling replicas may also have been used as the basis for the Rebel blaster, or they may have been based on Sterling L2A3s. In their un-modified form they are very similar to the base gun for the Stormtrooper blaster. However the two blasters were modified in very different ways. Whilst the Stormtrooper blaster retained the folding stock, magazine, and barrel (although T-Track was used to modify it), the Rebel Blaster had the folding stock and magazine removed, and the barrel was covered with a shiny metal tube with machined grooves and endcap. Another fundamental alteration was made by moving the trigger mechanism further back down the body of the gun on the Rebel Blaster.



The scope on the two props was also very different; the Stormtrooper blasters had several different scopes. The Rebel blaster however used a scope manufactured by Singlepoint with a distinctive encased red rod at the front, mounted on an attached metal bar. There were variations with the Rebel blaster props, and some of them (likely to be castings) had the magazine holder on the left hand side of the gun removed. Since many of the ‘hero’ props seen on screen (including the first one seen at all) have the magazine holder removed MR have chosen to replicate the version without the magazine.



It is worth noting that the Rebel Blaster props were not just used by the Rebels in A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back (in some shots during the Hoth battle), but were also used by some Death Star Troopers. For example by one of the troopers that attempt to prevent Luke, Han, and Chewbacca from entering the holding area on the Death Star when they are trying to save Leia.

Also it should be noted that since the weapons used as a basis for the props were already old, and in keeping with George Lucas’s vision for a ‘used future’ these props had a weathered appearance. The Master Replicas Rebel Blaster LE is not weathered and therefore has the look of a new pristine version of the weapon as seen in the film. This idealization also stretched to some of the details which, in keeping with other MR LE releases, have been slightly ‘cleaned up’ in places.






The LE is a static non-functioning model. This means that the trigger and other moving parts that would exist on the base gun are static. The only moving part on the replica is the attachment ‘ring’ on the back of the blaster which can be moved. Since some of the props were casts from a hero prop it is probable that some of the actual props were non-functional as well. However they did all have real red-dot scopes mounted on them, and this too is non-functional on the LE. A decal has been created to go where the scope sight would be as can be seen from the picture. The decal is a slight improvement over the Stormtrooper blaster as, due to the design of the scope, it is more recessed inside it. As with the Stormtrooper blaster the decal only appears to have been stuck on and is not covered, so it is not very well finished in comparison with the rest of the LE. The next blaster that MR produced with a scope, the Han Solo ESB, showed a distinct improvement in this area as the decal was covered in a thick plastic ‘lens’ that added immensely to the finish overall.






The two most distinctive visual elements of this blaster that were obvious when it was seen on-screen are the front part of the scope and the aluminium machined barrel. Both are replicated nicely by the LE.






T-track similar to that used for the grips on Luke and Vaders lightsabers as well as on the Stormtrooper blaster was used along the side of the mounting area for the scope as can be seen in the picture below.






The grips on the handle are plastic as can be seen in the pictures.



As with some of the other Master Replicas blasters there is a blaze orange plug set inside the barrel for legal reasons as some US states require this for replica firearms. Also MR state that: “Some states and countries do not allow shipping of replica guns in their area. It is the buyer's responsibility to ascertain the legality of purchasing and receiving this replica.”






The display case is the same style as the newer style LE/SE lightsabers. It is a different size and shape to that used for the Stormtrooper blaster (it is narrower and shorter, but taller). The approximate dimensions of both can be found in the table below:
Approx. Display Case dimensionsRebel BlasterStormtrooper Blaster
Length21 1/8 inches23 2/8 inches
Depth6 inches9 inches
Height10 3/8 inches9 3/8 inches

This is a hefty replica with a weight of approximately 3lbs 9 1/4ozs (as compared to the Stormtrooper blaster which weighs in at 4lbs 8 1/2oz). As a weapon it has a strange feel as it is slightly too large to be utilised as single handed weapon, but slightly too small for a two handed weapon. On display in the fine display case it has a unique and memorable look to it which brings back memories of its on-screen appearance.

Master Replicas has done a fine job of replicating a clean, un-weathered, idealized version of the first Star Wars prop weapon seen on screen. Those after absolute accuracy or weathering could consider doing a build-up from a real gun or replica, however this is likely to prove far more expensive, and for many the MR LE is a very good option. Its striking appearance when on display, combined with feelings of nostalgia over those opening scenes from A New Hope, make this a worthy addition to any collection.









Review By : MikeyX

All images ©2006 MikeyX.
Unauthorized copying is prohibited.
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