Update from Owner of Fake ‘Star Wars’ Movie Prop Blaster, Claims Acquired from Les Hemstock “As Is”

Following a story published on the Original Prop Blog (see Fake ‘Star Wars’ Movie Prop Blaster Resurfaces on eBay with Elstree Props “Danziger Collection” Certificate of Authenticity), I have been contacted by the current owner who recently listed the prop for sale on eBay, who claims that the prop was previously acquired by him in a transaction with Les Hemstock. 

The replica Star Wars: Return of the Jedi “Biker Scout Blaster” – which has been marketed for sale as an original from the production – was previously withdrawn as inauthentic by Profiles in History.

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.

The current owner contacted me via e-mail to provide additional information about how he came into ownership of the piece, and granted me permission to publish his e-mails in this update article.  Of course, the content of the two e-mail messages below is his own personal statement on the matter.

Mark (bass1truex) E-Mail #1:

From: wallace2nascar@verizon.net
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 4:14 PM
To: jason@originalpropblog.com
Subject: Starwars Pistol

Hi jason, Im contacting you about the Starwars blaster that was on ebay about 2 weeks ago, Biker Scout Pistol ROTJ. Coa from Elstree and a signed letter from Chris. That was me selling it, bass1truex. I did not know this was a fake, I would not have put it up on ebay if i have known that. Im just a little collector that got screwed on this item. I thought it was 100% the real deal when i seen the letter from chris and the COA from Elstree, thats why i traded alot my props for this pistol. I traded with a guy named Les Hemstock out in L.A. He emailed me all the pictures of the COA and letter, so i thought it was real. I put it on ebay and i was contacted by Bigdaddyvader that it was not real, I took it off ebay right away. Thats why the auction ended early. First time i have been screwed like this, i traded Les alot of items. I was talking with another collector from Germany (Jan) who i just bought a miniature model house used in the making of the movie the Patriot. Great person to talk to, Also new who Les Hemstock was. But i see you put me on your blog site. Everyone thinks im a crook now, why did you put ebay name up. Im the victim here, i had what i thought was all the right documents and as soon as Bigdaddyvader told me it was fake i took the auction down within seconds of him telling me. But if you see my feedback and the people i have delt with, im a very honest guy. Just a small time collector who got screwed, But with you putting me up on your blog, Im getting people asking if i sold them fake items now. This is not right. i can never sell something on ebay. Please can you add something to your blog that im just the victum, Les Hemstock is the one who screwed me. Thank you,Mark

Mark (bass1truex) E-Mail #2:

From: wallace2nascar@verizon.net
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 6:59 PM
To: jason@originalpropblog.com
Subject: Re: RE: Starwars Pistol

Hi jason, Thank you for getting back to me. I do not have the e-mails no more. Wish now i did save them, Just alot of back and fourth about the trade and photos of the item, but the e-mails after i told him the blaster was a fake and that Bigdaddyvader told me, Les was not to happy to hear that, His response was, Was Bigdaddyvader on the set, how would he know. And than i told Les about your site and that i read about him on your site, Les said you are out to get him and something on the line that he can get a Lawyer for putting his name on the blog site, Basically he was pissed for me contacting him about the blaster being fake. I did not hear from les since than. But i have to check my documents on my work computer to see if i still have the letter Les wanted me to sign and email back to him that he is trading me the blaster as is an no Guarante, But i didnt even think that did not sound right. The COA from Elstree and the signed letter from Chris, i thought it was real. So i signed the letter and sent it back to Les, But when i get back from the holiday break i will check my work computer. When i was told the blaster was not real from Bigdaddyvader, i e-mailed Les and he said he told me that it was not a guarante and that it is not his problem and i have to take it up with that guy Chris who the letter of authentication is from. So basically, Les must have known it was a fake. I got screwed. I traded him alot of my items from Screen used store and a few other prop stores. So the items he got are 100% real from me. I should have done my homework, i was just so excited on getting the blaster. but i needed some extra money and decided to sell it on ebay. thats when i found out, I took it off ebay right away, I could not sell and item i knew was fake than. I could not screw someone else. I want to join your website, Very helpful, The collector jan from Germany told me to join, I keep putting it off. After Christmas im going to join. You can list any of these emails. I do not mind. Im a very honest person. I work very hard for my money to buy alot of these props and i do no want to see someone else get screwed over like i did. thank you for your help, and in the future if im not sure and before i buy im contacting you if you dont mind. Thank you,Mark

The owner, Mark, has since sent me a few e-mail exchanges that he claims are between himself and Les Hemstock.

Other items offered for sale into the marketplace by Les Hemstock have been the subject of past articles on the Original Prop Blog:

• Marketwatch | Les Hemstock (kcotsmeh)

As noted in the original article, 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.

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):

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.

Full analysis can be found in the previous article on the subject:

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

I have since found unlicensed/bootleg replica kits available for sale on the Internet (for approximately $30-$35) which appear to be from the same or similar lineage, each with the same “Kenner” tells.  The biggest difference between the two examples below is with the handle/grip:

Click for Full Listing, Full Resolution Archive

Click for Full Listing, Full Resolution Archive

Minor “Planet of the Apes” Statue of Liberty Head Update:

Also related to Les Hemstock, the “Planet of the Apes” Statue of Liberty head that has been the subject of a two year investigation has had a change in marketing description as listed for sale or rent at the Hollywood Parts website (see www.HollywoodParts.com).  Since publishing information showing the origins of the piece – as made for and used in The Terminal (2004), not Planet of the Apes (1968) – it is currently described as followed on the Hollywood Parts listing:

This head is claimed to be from Planet of the Apes. Client has COA. Recent id from Terminal art department inconclusive. the mystery of the origin of this piece remains.

Listing Archive:

Full Resolution

The piece is offered for sale currently at $18,000.00.

All related articles can be found via the portal below:

Jason DeBord