Rock Island Auction Company recently unveiled the iconic and well-documented Star Wars Han Solo DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol. The auction house says it is the only surviving DL-44 heavy blaster pistol Harrison Ford used as Han Solo in the 1977 epic Star Wars movie. The Mauser manufactured model 96 prop pistol features a 9mm gauge and three 1/4-inch round barrel that only shoots blanks. It has a blue finish and a walnut grip. This first Star Wars movie kicked off a franchise with the biggest cult following in film history. Rock Island Auction Company points out that the gear, setting, and characters were instruments that brought George Lucus’ vision to life.
What’s more, the lack of funding meant creative solutions and resourcefulness. The Star Wars Han Solo DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol is an excellent example in which the prop department combined components from multiple surplus military weapons. Lucas, the set director Roger Christian, and the production designer John Barry used everything from disassembled aircraft parts to toy model kits for filming. They teamed up with a London-based prop house, Bapty & Co., to provide the prop weapons. Rock Island Auction Company says one of the most iconic surplus firearms was the Mauser C96 Mauser (broom handle) pistol, which would eventually become the iconic DL-44 carried by Han Solo. The Star Wars Han Solo DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol will be up for auction on August 27, 2022.
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