I thought I’d share some of my observations and research – work done leading up to the auction – in an effort to highlight some of the challenges and concerns in approaching the Stembridge Collection Auction.
The first concern, as noted in my Part 3 article (My Experiences and Observations at the Event), was that, for the most part, these pieces were accompanied with no rental agreements (the strongest form of provenance, with firearms). More, the catalog and terms of auction warn as follows:
All sales final. Buyer must satisfy his own condition, provenance, movie history, and any buying requirements before bidding. NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN THIS SALE.
Because of these circumstances, I was very critical of those pieces for which I did not possess rental agreements (only Terminator 2).
This leaves the average collector with very little to go by, in terms of “tools”, outside of viewing the film itself.
Of course, a piece can be rented to, and even used in a film, and not be seen or seen clearly in the finished product. For me, personally, I felt if I couldn’t find it on screen, it was likely not worth the associated risk.
What follows are a few of the pieces I researched and some of my findings.
Batman Returns: Michelle Pfeiffer Derringer
Being a huge Tim Burton fan, one of the first pieces I looked into were the Derringer’s attributed to Batman Returns:
LOT 123
American Derringer Corp. over/under tip-up two-shot pistol, .38 Spec. cal., nickel finish, faux ivory grips, #73666. Gun is in overall fine condition showing little use, approx. 99% nickel finish remaining, fine bores, crisp action and markings, fine grips with ornamented colored long stem roses contained in a form fitting factory box identical in configuration to another lot that displays the Stembridge tag stating “Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman gun from Batman” Used in the movie “Batman II”. Est.: $1,000-$2,000.LOT 124
American Derringer Corp. over/under tip-up two-shot pistol, .38 Spec. cal., nickel finish, faux ivory grips, #73647. Gun is in overall fine condition showing little use, approx. 99% nickel finish remaining, fine bores, crisp action and markings, fine grips with ornamented colored long stem roses contained in a form-fitted factory box. Stembridge Arms tag states “Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman gun from Batman”. Used in the movie “Batman II”. Est.: $1,000-$2,000.
By coincidence, the HD (720p) version of Batman Returns was broadcast on cable leading up to the auction, so I obtained a few screencaps via freezing the scenes with my TiVo and taking photos of my 67″ set (hey, it works in a pinch).
Here is a comparison photo (screencap top, auction items bottom):
Notice that, among some minor differences, the grip is very different. Other than both featuring a floral design, the one at auction is quite simple in comparison to what is seen on screen. More, even if you assume it might have been switched since filming, the screw hole in each example is in a different place.
That was enough for me to put this on my “pass” list.
Sudden Impact: Clint Eastwood Model 180
Again, with these pistols attributed to use by Clint Eastwood in Sudden Impact, I was limited to examination of the film.
LOT 157
TDE auto mag. Model 180 semi-auto pistol, #A03903 in .44 AMP cal., 7” barrel stainless steel, checkered plastic grips and barrel has been modified for firing blanks. Gun is in overall very good condition. No Stembridge Arms tag, however similar to another stainless auto mag. with tag stating “Clint Eastwood Sudden Impact”, possibly a back-up. Est.: $800-$1,600.LOT 158
TDE auto mag. Model 180 semi-auto pistol, #A06297, 7” ventilated ribbed barrel stainless steel, modified to fire blanks, .44 AMP cal., black checkered plastic grips and adjustable rear sight. Gun is in overall good condition. Stembridge Arms tag states “Clint Eastwood – Sudden Impact”. Est.: $2,000-$4,000.
In this case, I went through the DVD, frame by frame in those scenes featured the use of the Model 180s.
In the film, there is a scene in which the pistol is shown in it’s case, which is a nice clear shot (pistols for auction on top):
Note that, in addition to a difference in the grips, the barrel on the one seen on screen (below) is noticeably longer than the ones available at auction. Also, the one seen on screen has four “vents” along the top of the barrel while the auction pieces show three. This is true of the pistols used in every scene, in my review.
Other Pieces
With some films, I was at a total loss with my review, with no piece seen that is close enough to even compare.
The Godfather, Part II
One interesting observation concerned the two pistols attributed to The Godfather, Part II.
LOT 163
Webley MK VI double action revolver, .455 cal., 6” barrel, blue finish, checkered hard rubber grips, #322362, frame dated 1917. Revolver remains in good condition having the barrel completely plugged, approx. 20% of the original finish remains. Used in the movie “Godfather II”. Est.: $300-$600.LOT 164
Webley MK VI double action revolver, .455 cal., 6” barrel, blue finish, checkered hard rubber grips, #163356, frame dated 1915. Revolver remains in good original condition having the barrel completely plugged, approx. 20% original finish remaining. This is the actual revolver used by Robert DeNiro in the “Godfather II” when e eliminates Don Fannuci in his entryway. Est.: $1,000-$2,000.
In reviewing the film, and use of this style of pistol, again, frame by frame, I found it interesting that, assuming both were used in the film, the specifics noted did not agree with what was seen on screen.
Lot 163, with the greeblie hanging off the bottom of the grip, is noted simply as used in the film
Lot 164 is noted as “the actual revolver used” to eliminate Don Fannuci in the entryway. This piece has just the knob, without the greeblie.
In looking at the film, the pistol used to kill Fannuci has the greeblie (like Lot 163) and when DeNiro breaks and throws the pistol away on the rooftop, the greeblie is not present, just the knob (like Lot 164).
These pieces only realized $3,600 each (plus Buyer’s Premium). My concern was that there were three more of these exact model pistols in the auction (Lots 353-355), attributed to the film Mystery Men. So without rental agreements, it was, in my opinion, a risk, in that there were no rental receipts included with the pieces.
Conclusion
Showcasing the results of a few pieces I looked into is intended only as “food for thought”, and perhaps give some collectors some ideas about researching pieces in future auctions.
Special thanks to Rick Spector, partner in researching pieces for this auction.
Jason De Bord