Fake ‘Star Wars’ Movie Prop Blaster Resurfaces on eBay with Elstree Props “Danziger Collection” Certificate of Authenticity

A replica Star Wars: Return of the Jedi “Biker Scout Blaster”, which has been marketed as original and offered for sale in various venues, has recently resurfaced at auction on eBay.  The prop, which includes a “Danziger Collection” Certificate of Authenticity, certifying it as “an original production used” piece and signed by “N. Harrison” (see “Who is N. Harrison?”: Update on Questions About Certificates of Authenticity Issued By Prior Owners of Elstree Props), appears to be a resin casting of a modified vintage Kenner toy sold in the early 80s.

I do have an account of a very interesting chain of ownership from a collector who contacted this most recent seller, but given that it is second hand information, I will limit the following article to those details which are publicly available.

Based on photo analysis, this appears to be the exact same prop that was pulled from the Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 37” catalog last month, prior to the auction, after being identified as inauthentic (Lot 729. Biker Scout stunt pistol from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi):

Comparison – Profiles in History Pulled From Catalog (LEFT) | “bass1truex” eBay Auction (RIGHT):

Note that there appear to be matching unique marks on the piece depicted in both sets of photos, along with the shared characteristics of the missing trigger and the “Kenner” details that are custom to the licensed toy released in conjunction with the film in the 80s.

eBay Seller: bass1truex

Auction Title: “Star Wars “Return Of The Jedi” Item’s; Production Used and Production made ***BEST OFFER****“

Noted Source/Provenance: “COA from Elstree and a Letter of Provenance from Chris distin“

eBay Item #: 330380201114

End Date: 11/24/09

Auction Result: “Buy It Now” $1,950.00; No Bids/No Sale [Note: Appears To Have Been Ended Early By Seller]

Full Auction Archive: “Star Wars “Return Of The Jedi” Item’s; Production Used and Production made ***BEST OFFER****“

Description:

From the movie “RETURN OF THE JEDI” 1983 you get 3 item’s.

Production Used Biker scout Pistol, made of resin. Trigger has been damaged.

Comes with a COA from Elstree and a Letter of Provenance from Chris distin www.distin.de

Next you get a Production made 1983 Death Star Surface Section. Purchased from the Sithcollector. Well known collector UK.

And last a section of wood from the Endor Forest w/photos of the forest.

This is an Awesome collection for any StarWars fan or collector.

I do ship world wide, Im not responsible for customs charges or delays or damage due to customs. Thank you

I ship out once a week, 7 days after i recieve the cleared payment thru paypal. Paypal Only. NO-Echecks. Payment due 5 days after auction ends. all sales are final, no returns, no exchanges.

Thank you for looking, Check out my other item’s

******MAKE AN OFFER*****

Chris Distin Letter of Provenance Marketing Photos & Text:

Letter of Provenance Text:

ORIGINAL STAR WARS BLASTER PROP

Letter of Provenance

This Star Wars Blaster Prop was Production Use din the 1983 George Lucas Film “Return of the Jedi” .This particular Blasters were used by the Biker Scout Stormtroopers on Endor
The Prop is cast from Resin and painted black with some painted effects added to make it look metallic. There are some chips to the resin and the Trigger has been damaged.
This Prop was obtained from one of the Crew members during Filming and was afterwards given to his Nephew who had it in his possession for nearly 20 years.
I purchased it directly from the Nephew.

[Signature]

Chris Distin
[Address Edited]
Germany
www.distin.de

N. Harrison/Danziger Collection/Elstree Certificate of Authenticity Marketing Photos & Text:

Certificate of Authenticity Text:

Certificate of Authenticity

This certificate is valid only if the gold seal is impressed, and N. Harrison signs the certificate.

This is to certify that this is an original production used Biker Scout Pistol.  This was used during filming of Star Wars Episode Six, Return of the Jedi at Elstree Film Studios.

[Signature]

The Danziger Collection
Elstree Film & Television Studios
N. Harrison
Special FX Supervisor

eBay Marketing Photos – Additional:

This is not the first prop Star Wars blaster attributed to the “Original Trilogy” of films and marketed as original with Elstree Props/”N. Harrison”/Danziger Collection provenance that has been determined to be a replica (see Prop Watchlist: Star Wars Imperial Blaster).

The biker scout pistol that is the subject of this article might be recognizable as problematic upon first glance to those Star Wars fans who grew up with the Kenner toys in the late 70s and early 80s, as there are obvious spots on both sides of the blaster which are distinct cut outs designed for the familiar Star Wars movie logo stickers which were stuck on all of the “role play”-style toy weapons produced under license by the toy manufacturer.  Note the following comparison below with sticker cut outs highlighted with green rings (“bass1truex” LEFT, Kenner Toy RIGHT):

The following is the same comparison without any marking – note the same unique construction and details above the grip/handle:

As an example, in the actual production, for the scope along the side of the real props, a casting of a real world vintage single point scope was used (which is consistent with blasters used in all three of the Original Trilogy films – see Parts of Star Wars).  With the Kenner toy, mirrored with the casting-based replica that is the subject of this article, Kenner toy designers came up with a “toyified” version of the scope, which is at best a rudimentary approximation of what was seen in the film.

Given that the Letter of Provenance from Chris Distin and Certificate of Authenticity from “N. Harrison” both appear to be undated, it is unclear who first authenticated the piece.

Jason DeBord