Object Title
Submachine gun - Star Wars DH-17 rebel trooper blaster
Date
1976
Object Number
XII.11982
Provenance
Purchased from Bapty & Co. in 2018. The object was manufactured by Sterling Armament Company, 1950s. Modified by Bapty & Co. Ltd for use in the 'Star Wars' films (1977-1980). Deactivated, 2000. Loaned to Lucasfilm Ltd as pre-production reference in 2014.
Physical Description
A (deactivated) commercial British Sterling Mk.IV (L2A3) submachine gun modified as a variant of the 'DH17' blaster as seen in 'Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back' (1980). It differs substantially from the 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope' (1977) pistol variant (which although was the first weapon seen in the saga, was in fact only a much shorter resin cast) and in detail from the larger variants seen in 'The Empire Strikes Back' and a further variant made (not by Bapty) for 'Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi' (1983) (the latter exists in the Lucasfilm Archives but does not appear in the finished film). The flat back finish has been partially resprayed following the deactivation work carried out in 2000. It is fitted with a late 1960s vintage Singlepoint 'occluded eye' optical sight in standard ring mounts which are dovetailed to a custom steel bar that is, in turn, clamped between the front and rear sight protectors (i.e. in place of the sights themselves). The Sterling heatshield has been cut back, leaving two complete holes and some partial ones (similar to the Lucasfilm example) and a variant of the silver-coloured barrel shroud fitted, apparently inspired by the BSA range of prototype submachine guns. In this example it is machined from solid aluminium and lacks the protruding 'button' at the muzzle seen on other variants. It also features narrower and more numerous radial fins. As part of the deactivation process, the bolt and return spring have been removed and a section of steel bar has been inserted in their place. The host Sterling receiver has never been stamped with a serial number, and instead features a large shallow-stamped letter 'R' possibly denoting a 'rejected' receiver (the standard Sterling markings are double-stamped in error). In any case, a non-serial-numbered gun could not be sold and was likely provided to Bapty directly from Sterling.
Dimensions
| Overall | Height | 210 mm |
| Overall | Length | 440 mm |
| Overall | Weight | 2.75 kg |
| Overall | Width | 130 mm |
Firearms/Artillery
Calibre
Inscriptions and Marks
| Stamp The host Sterling receiver has never been stamped with a serial number, and instead features a large shallow-stamped letter 'R' possibly denoting a 'rejected' receiver (the standard Sterling markings are double-stamped in error). In any case, a non-serial-numbered gun could not be sold and was likely provided to Bapty directly from Sterling. |
Associations
Notes
One of a pair of 'blaster' guns from the 'Star Wars' series of films, of Imperial Stormtrooper 'E-11' and Rebel trooper 'DH-17' patterns respectively, both modified by film armourers Bapty & Co. from 1950s vintage Sterling submachine guns. The Imperial blaster is confirmed by Bapty to be screen-used, whilst the rebel example is a unique 'hero' type that does not appear in the finished films. Note that the DH-17 variant held by Lucasfilm Ltd (made for 'Return of the Jedi' (1983)) also did not appear in that film, and bears striking similarity to this piece. It is possible that the former was based upon the latter.
In any case, on the available evidence, both props were assembled for used in 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980), although it is likely that both Sterlings were also previously used in 'A New Hope' (1977) as Imperial blaster. It should be noted that there are no wholly original complete guns left from the first movie, as all were stripped down after filming was completed and none were retained by Lucasfilm. In facts even in the Star Wars 'Bible' - 'The Star Wars Chronicles' (1977), p.91 - each of the two Imperial blasters illustrated have different features. Both guns may well also have appeared in other unrelated productions supplied by Bapty.
In addition, it is likely that both base guns themselves are likely to have also been used (as Imperial blasters) in 'A New Hope', and may also have featured in other productions as unmodified Sterlings. It would appear that these two guns were kept basically intact as they were post-'Empire' and were still at Bapty's in 1994 when the current owner joined the company. One other 'intact' formerly live-firing gun was sold in the early 2000s and then a batch of 20 more inert guns, rebuilt from existing parts and with other additions, were sold in 2004. These two therefore appear to be the last two known available 'Star Wars' blasters.
It is perhaps worth noting the following regarding the use of 'real' guns in these movies. Production Designer John Barry, is quoted as saying that: 'I took George [Lucas] to all the fun places... We went to one of the big weapon-hiring companies [this is presumably a reference to Bapty's] that had rows of arms and armour... George and Roger Christian (Set Decorator] and I got together a lot... Rather than your slick streamlined ray gun, we took actual World War II machine guns and cannibalized one into another. George likes what he calls the "visceral" quality that real weapons have, so there are really quite larger chunks of real weapons with additional things fixed onto them. It's just so much nicer than anything you can make from scratch; it stops them from having that homemade look.' (Rinzler, JW, The Making of Star Wars, 2007, p.117).
