Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)

This is an update to a series of articles about two prop lightsabers marketed by Paul Harrison, at the time owner of Elstree Props, which were described as original pieces made for the film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. No such lightsabers appear in the finished film. Though it has been some time since the last update, published in late 2007, I have obtained new information. Included in this feature are photos of one of the props that I’ve been told were taken in late 2005, of a newly made custom replica lightsaber, prior to delivery to Paul Harrison. The prop in these photos clearly matches one of the two Elstree Props lightsabers. Was a newly made replica prop listed for sale to the public for $50,000.00?

The series of six past articles directly related to this topic can be found below:

Market Watch | Elstree Props (pre-2008) | Return of the Jedi Lightsaber

New Development: Custom Made Replica “Functional” Return of the Jedi-Style Luke Skywalker Lightsaber (Circa 2005)

Below are photos dated December 2005 of a custom made “functional” replica lightsaber in the style of the one used by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi:

This replica fan-made lightsaber created in late 2005 precisely matches the lightsaber showcased on the ElstreeProps.com website beginning in early 2006 – a prop that was characterized by then owner Paul Harrison as an original “close-up model” that was filmed for Return of the Jedi, which was released in 1983. Note in the following compilation of photos that there are matching faux weathering (marks and scuffs) in addition to the piece and its custom components matching exactly.

My source states that the capacitors in the control boxes on the replica lightsabers came from a late 80s (well after the release of Return of the Jedi) model Pioneer brand Hi-Fi system.

It has been explained to me that there are some differences in the two replica ROTJ lightsaber props custom made for Elstree Props, and the second of the two (that was offered for sale for approximately $50,000.00 on SpecialistAuctions.com in late 2007) included a special switch on the control box. That switch is reportedly an off the shelf, modern day part currently available at Maplin Electronics in the UK. This part can be found on their website:

Maplin Electronics – Double Pole Sub-Miniature (Order Code: FH35Q)

Part Photo:

Also sourced from Maplin Electronics were the red and green triangular LEDs. These parts can also be found on the maplin.co.uk website.

Maplin Electronics – Panel Indicator LEDs (Order Code: YY55K):

Part Illustration:

These two sets of parts can be identified on the second of the two Return of the Jedi lightsabers:

Below is a contemporary photo of left over parts from the production of the two replica Return of the Jedi lightsabers, including the Pioneer Hi-Fi system board from which parts were pulled for the control boxes:

Note that the same Maplin Electronics parts are shown in the photo, along with other found parts.

Additionally, the smaller cylinder parts with the tri-color bands found in the control box can be seen in the same photo above:

My source of information states that two lightsabers were custom made for Paul Harrison of Elstree Props by a third party – as replicas.

The first was delivered in December 2005 and was showcased on the ElstreeProps.com website beginning just a few months later in early 2006.

The second was delivered in Spring 2007 and was listed for sale on SpecialistAuctions.com in November 2007 for approximately $50,000.

The second prop used parts such as an air bearing collet and industrial turning inserts and holders – all of which are post-1983.

This same individual also reportedly made two Golden Gun replicas for the Harrisons – the first one used the flip up cover on the lighter as the hammer and it was spring loaded while the second was a blank firing version, with the firing pin and blank bullet holder removed so it couldn’t make any sound.

There was a photo on the Elstree Props website of Roger Moore holding a Golden Gun prop, which resembled the piece seen in the James Bond film, The Man With The Golden Gun.

In late 2008, an original Golden Gun prop was reported stolen from Elstree Props. This was covered extensively by the mainstream media.

Below is a contemporary photo of a new Golden Gun replica and new Return of the Jedi lightsaber replica made by the same person who reportedly made the two Return of the Jedi lightsabers and two Golden Gun props for Paul Harrison (note: the Golden Gun replica seen below is only 30% complete):

The series of six past articles directly related to the “Golden Gun” topic can be found below:

Market Watch | Elstree Props (2008-current) | Golden Gun

Background: ElstreeProps.com Website Luke ‘Return of the Jedi’ Lightsaber

Below is an archive of the “Lightsabers” page on the ElstreeProps.com website, while under ownership of Paul Harrison. This page presents the first of the two “reveal” lightsabers characterized as original and attributed to use by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi.

Below is the primary description of the lightsaber prop:

Below are the photos as seen on the webpage:

The following ElstreeProps.com snapshot by Archive.org shows that the “Lightsabers!” page was not added to the Elstree Props website until a date in-between 02/09/06 and 04/02/06:

As noted, the photos of the matching replica lightsaber photos at the start of this article are dated December 2005 – just months prior to its first appearance on the ElstreeProps.com website.

Background: Elstree Props SpecialistAuctions.com Luke ‘Return of the Jedi’ Lightsaber

Below is an archive of one of the ‘for sale’ listings on the SpecialistAuctions.com website, listed by Paul Harrison as Elstree Props in late 2007. This ‘for sale’ listing presents the second of two “reveal” lightsabers characterized as original and attributed to use by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi.

This was offered for sale for £30,000.00 (approximately $55,000.00 USD at the time).

Below is the marketing description of the lightsaber prop:

Below are the photos as seen on the public ‘for sale’ offering on Specialist Auctions:

New Development: Interview with Howard Kazanjian, Producer of Return of the Jedi and Former Vice President of Lucasfilm LTD

There is a new interview with Howard Kazanjian available at StarWarsAficionado.com which addresses the questions about “lost” scenes of Luke Skywalker constructing his lightsaber.

Below is an excerpt from that interview:

New Development: High Resolution Video of Elstree Props/Paul Harrison’s “actual Lightsaber prop used for the missing scene”

There are a series of videos published on YouTube by Jambe Davdar called “Returning to Jedi: A Fan Documentary”. A short segment in “Part 1” shows video of one of the two Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” lightsabers discussed at the start of this article. Below is a link to that short sequence (full “Part 1” video can be found HERE):

Given that there is a “High Quality” version of the video, it was possible to obtain some quality screencaptures of the lightsaber from the video, which were published on the Replica Prop Forum (see Elstree props Luke ROTJ reveal saber) – click each image for full resolution:

The following compilation shows that the lightsaber prop depicted in the video (YELLOW INSET) matches the December 2005 photos of the same piece characterized as a replica made new in that same year:

Concluding Remarks

With the original articles on this topic, a number of issues and questions were raised (most extensively in “Update 3“) which were never addressed by those who would suggest that these two lightsaber props are “Original” and were made in the early 80s for Lucasfilm for use in Return of the Jedi. Today, a substantial amount of new and alarming information has come to light.

Revisiting the “Update 4” article on this topic, the following is the news article published by This Is London on the attempts to sell one of these two pieces as an original prop used in the film:

Jason DeBord