There are some absolute treasures in this auction, which takes place this coming Saturday via Julien’s Auctions and Hollywood Legends, all from the final chapter of the original trilogy Return of the Jedi.
There are 49 lots, with items available ranging from script pages to production notes, sketches calendars and posters but it’s inevitable that Lot 932 will grab the most attention, Han Solo’s DL-44 blaster used in the Endor scenes of Jedi.
An original production used “BlasTech DL-44” blaster prop used by Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Return of the Jedi (Lucasfilm, 1983). The prop is custom made, built on a metal working non-firing model version of the German Mauser C96 (“Broomhandle Mauser”) from MGC (Model Gun Corporation) of Japan with additional found parts, greblies and cast resin pieces added on, creating one of the most iconic sci-fi weapons in the history of film.
This is believed to be one of four hero Han Solo blasters made for and used in Return of the Jedi. The production had one hero “practical” (blank fire) version rented from Stembridge Gun Rentals (which sold for $201,600 at auction in 2007) and three hero “non-firing” versions (two of which are believed to be at the Lucasfilm Archives). Per production records included with this prop, this appears to be one of two “non-firing” versions made for and used in Return of the Jedi by the US production (records indicate two “non-firing” versions were shipped from the UK prop department to the US).
Harrison Ford is seen using his blaster in many scenes on Endor throughout the second half of the film. Per James Schoppe, a weapons handler (he recalls Syd Stembridge specifically) had to be on set when the hero “practical” (blank fire) version was used (for safety reasons), so the hero “non-firing” versions like this one would have been used in all other scenes.
This prop was damaged at some point during filming (Schoppe believes it may have occurred in pulling the prop out of the holster or holstering the piece); part of the scope was damaged.
Once production was completed after the end of second unit shooting on Return of the Jedi, Property Master Peter Hancock came by Schoppe’s office to thank him and say goodbye, and at the end of the conversation, he presented Schoppe with the Han Solo blaster and a few other props, saying he wanted him to have them. As filming wrapped, it was believed that Star Wars was “done,” as it was considered the final film. And this held true until 1999 (some 16 years later), when George Lucas revisited the film franchise with the first “Prequel” film. Schoppe has kept the blaster and his memorabilia archive boxed up for the last 35 years.
Probably the most recognizable and coveted props from the original Star Wars trilogy are the lightsabers used by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with the blaster used by Han Solo. The original DL-44 blaster used in Star Wars: A New Hope had long been lost, making the examples that survived filming from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi even more rare.
Given the provenance of this piece – coming directly from the art director of Return of the Jedi – along with the accompanying documentation, it should prove to be one of the most historic offerings of genuine Star Wars movie prop memorabilia to ever come to public auction.
Included in this lot along with the prop are the following related original production documents:
•an original letter of authenticity describing the provenance of the Han Solo blaster prop, signed by James Schoppe
•one original production black and white photo of the Endor shield generator bunker on the sound stage with actors in full costume featuring Han Solo and Rebel Soldiers confronting Imperials as seen in the film
•three pages of script changes, pages 83-88, production stamped/coded in red ink across each page
•two pages of Return of the Jedi Original Production “Blue Harvest” Location Call Sheets for Day 81 and Day 83 with scenes of Han Solo at the Endor shield generator bunker
•one typewritten page “NOTES ON CONVERSATION WITH NORMAN REYNOLDS, 9/10/81” discussing wardrobe, weapons and monsters; included in the “list of guns” is “2 broom handle mauser pistols (Hans)”
•an original copy of a map of Redwood locations: “Plot Plan A – Bunker Location”
•an original copy of a Western Union Telegram from the UK Props Department on the shipping of prop weapons to Los Angeles, “ADDRESSED TO PACKAIR, FOR BLUE HARVEST” dated 3/17/82 (two pages)
•an original Western Union Telex/TXW from Michael Bloom to Michael Ford discussing the practical weapons taken to Norway for The Empire Strikes Back, including “2 MAUSER PISTOLS,” dated 8/12/81
•an original memo on “Blue Harvest” notepaper from Peter Hancock to Schoppe “RE: MAUSER PISTOL (HAN’S)” asking “Is Stembridge doing that pistol (Peter would like them to.)” with additional comments about Han’s blaster and Leia’s blaster and Stembridge Gun Rentals
•Schoppe’s personal notes on weapons, handwritten on lined yellow paper, outlining counts on various key blasters made for and used in the film; under “PRACTICAL” is listed “HAN – 1 GUN”
•a letter-sized manila file folder with notes written in black and red Sharpie – “WEAPONS RETURN,” “HAN SOLO BLASTER NUMBERS INFO – DOCUMENTATION – LISTS,” “3 SHIPPED FROM U.K. 1. PRACTICAL BY STEMBRIDGE 2 DUMMY BROOM TAKS FROM UK”
• Schoppe’s personal handwritten notes on lined yellow paper from 11/13/81 Weapons Meeting that lists weapons requirements for principal characters, Imperial and Rebel troopers, Jabba the Hutt’s gang and more; for Han Solo, lists “1 PRACTICAL U.S. STEMBRIDGE” and “2 REPLICAS FROM UK” (4 pages).
Accompanied by a copy of the film.
