If you’re a huge Star Wars fan then I’m sure you’ve already signed up for the new streaming service Disney Plus. I did, mostly for the new live action show “The Mandalorian”. The show is essentially a spaghetti western in space that follows the story of a Mandalorian bounty hunter played by Pedro Pascal. Mandalorians are a popular group in the Star Wars saga among fans with their iconic T visor helmets, armor and gun fighting skills.

I was watching the first episode recently and as soon as the Mandalorian pulled out his pistol in his first gunfight I knew it looked familiar. After a quick search, I stumbled upon a Reddit post confirming my suspicion, his pistol was based on a real-world firearm. His gun is actually based off of the Bergmann 1896 semi-auto pistol, a German pistol designed by Louis Schmeisser, father of Hugo Schmeisser who developed the StG-44.

The pistol that the Mandalorian’s is based off of, the Bergmann 1896. Source

I only really knew about this rather obscure pistol because I remember watching the below video from the folks over at Forgotten Weapons.

This isn’t the first time the prop makers working on Star Wars used real world firearms in their blaster designs. Han Solo’s iconic DL-44 blaster was based on the Mauser C-96 pistol, the Stormtrooper’s E-11 rifle was based on the Sterling L2A3 SMG, their BlasTech T-21 was a Lewis machine gun and the BlasTech DLT-19 was an MG-34. There are many more examples of real world guns inspiring the blasters in both the prequel and sequel Star Wars movies as well.

The real guns that inspired the weapons of Star Wars. Source

For all the fans of bubba’d guns, there was also the cut down Lee Enfield rifle used by the Jawas in Star Wars: A New Hope.

A Bubba’d Lee Enfield rifle used in Star Wars. Utini!

I think it’s pretty cool seeing all these older firearms being used in Star Wars, and it’s not surprising really. George Lucas got a lot of inspiration for his movies from classic WWII and samurai flicks. I wonder what other guns will eventually make an appearance in future shows and movies in the franchise. Still waiting on a Mosin Nagant.