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There are a handful of prop guns that I know almost anyone would want to have as part of their private collection. James Bond’s Walther PPK, John McClane’s Beretta 92, a genuine prop M41A Pulse Rifle from Aliens, or even Han Solo’s famous DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol. Like most Star Wars “blaster” props, the DL-44 Blaster Pistol used by Han Solo in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is actually a real firearm with a bunch of stuff tacked onto it – not too dissimilar from 90% of the firearms you’d find on Hot Gat or Fudd Crap. The DL-44 is now being put up for auction through the Rock Island Auction Company meaning if you’ve got the scratch, you can now potentially own a piece of well-known silver screen history.
Rock Island Auction @ TFB:
- President Ulysses Grant’s Revolvers Sold at RIAC for $5,170,000
- The 4 Most Expensive Firearms Rock Island Auctions Has Ever Sold
- Alexander Hamilton’s Pistols Sold at Rock Island Auction for $1,150,000
The Original C96 Mauser “Broomhandle” pistol (left) and the Bapty modified “DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol” (right)
Han Shot First: RIA Auctions Off Han Solo’s DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol
In the full article detailing the methodology behind arming the various characters from Star Wars, Rock Island Auctions writer Ryan F. Sullivan explains how a limited budget drove the prop department to select surplus WWII firearms to be used as both “one-off” props and many of what would go on to be iconic props from the well-loved Sci-Fi fantasy film series.
Han Solo’s BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster pistol in the Star Wars universe is considered to be “one of the most powerful blaster pistols in the galaxy, delivering massive damage at close range“ but apparently is also known for overheating quickly. In the real world, the DL-44 is very obviously a Mauser C96 9mm pistol that has been heavily modified using an offset Hensoldt-Wetzlar 3X Sniper Scope, and a shortened barrel capped off with an MG-81 muzzle device (the MG-81 was an aircraft-mounted version of the MG-42).
All modifications to the pistol were performed by Bapty & Co – a well-renowned prop house specializing in prop arms and armor, known for working on films such as the Tomb Raider series, Aliens, The Dark Knight Rises, 2012’s Kick Ass, and of course the Star Wars original trilogy.
Han Solo’s BlasTech DL-44 will be available for auction between August 26th and 28th and is expected to fetch the highest sell price of any of August’s 2022 Premier auctions at RIA. The lot will include not only the original pistol, scope, scope mount, and muzzle device, but also a letter from the BATFE approving its importation for use as a prop gun, a signed Han Solo photograph by Harrison Ford, and of course the pride of knowing you’re the only human being in the universe who owns the original Han Solo DL-44 Blaster Pistol.
Lot 1247: Documented Mauser Broomhandle “DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol” Prop goes live for auction on August 27th, 2022, and is currently estimated to sell for a price between $300,000 and $500,000, although if RIA’s track record and the current state of Star Wars fandom is anything to go by, I think we might see the blaster go for a much higher realized auction price when all is said and done. Of course, we’d like to hear your thoughts on this auction, is this something worthy of your collection, or is it just Hollywood Fudd crap? Did Han Solo shoot first (he did)? Let us know what you think down in the comments.
Rating Definition:
Arguably the most iconic movie firearm of all time, it remains in fine overall condition and is converted to a non firing for blanks only. Do not miss this opportunity to own the only surviving example of the DL-44 Heavy Blaster used by Han Solo in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”, because we all know… Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.
