As the sole contributor to the Original Prop Blog, I am often asked about my own collecting philosophies and interests. This page serves as a static feature showcasing my personal collection as an online “exhibit”.

My collecting focus has evolved over the years, and my current goals are to acquire 1) hero/recognizable/iconic pieces 2) with impeccable provenance 3) from favorite films and television programs.

Below are some of the original props from my personal collection… (click images for larger photos of each prop)

Please note that I am in the process of building full articles about each of the pieces featured below, with much more in the way of details about each piece, multiple high resolution photos, movie stills, etc., so please look for this style of graphic below on those pieces with “jump to” articles with expanded information and photos:

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)

Imperial Stormtrooper E-11 Blaster

• One of several used by various characters in the George Lucas film.
• Approximately 20 of these non-firing/non-gun custom blasters were found at Bapty several years ago, who served as the armourer for the original Star Wars film.
• These were custom, specially designed versions of the Imperial Stormtrooper blasters that were produced for easy import/export in and out of the UK.
• Based on a vintage British Sterling sub-machine gun, these were custom designed and exhibit the following features:  no trigger, non-standard trigger guard, wooden dowel in place of gun barrel, custom made grip, seam and molding lines in the cast aluminum billet, specific rivet positioning, solid rear sight, and s rivet that held the top rail in place (just in front of the rear sight)
• These custom blasters can be identified in a number of scenes throughout the film, including the Tatooine scenes filmed in Tunisia, all desert scenes, the spaceport scenes, the Death Star scenes, and the trash compactor scenes.  These can also be seen in many publicity photos produced for the film, as handled by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.
• As these pieces were rented to the production, they were never owned by Lucasfilm, and later purchased directly from Bapty by The Prop Store of London.
• When discovered at Bapty, these were stripped of the dressing/greeblies as seen in the film – the Hengstler counter box, the scope, the scope rail, the cylinders, and the barrel ribs.  This piece has been fitted with replacement parts (replica pieced not from the production) to restore the blaster to its “as seen on screen” appearance, though the M38 scope is a real functional azimuth tank scope that was obtained from Karl Schmidt, the Bapty armorer who built the guns for the film, and could have possibly been one of the originals used in Star Wars.
• Provenance includes tracing the custom-made piece back to Bapty, the armourer for the film, and identification by Karl Schmidt, who made them for the film.  The piece is also accompanied by an LOA by the individual who found the props (this prop having previously been his own personal copy), as well as a COA from The Prop Store of London, who purchased the pieces from Bapty.  This is one of approximately 20 found at Bapty.

License to Kill (1989)

Hero Walther PPK – Used by Timothy Dalton as James Bond

• Used by Timothy Dalton as James Bond in the John Glen film.
• The Walther PPK is the signature James Bond firearm. This piece is especially rare given that most Bond films were filmed in the UK with weapons supplied by Bapty. Since this piece is from Stembridge Gun Rentals, it did not require deactivation as was the case with the few Bapty pieces sold to the public by Christie’s in late 2006.
• Provenance includes original copy Stembridge rental agreements to the production and letter from Anthony Waye, Production Supervisor to Syd Stembridge along with original postmarked envelope from the Mexico-based production.

Die Hard (1988)  |  Die Hard: With A Vengeance (1995)

Hero 92FS Beretta, Stunt HK-MP5L Machine Gun, Hero Zippo Lighter, NYPD Credentials – Used by Bruce Willis as John McClane | Hero Kenwood Radio – Used by Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber and Hart Bochner as Harry Ellis

Hero 92FS Beretta

• Used by Bruce Willis as John McClaine in Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995), the John Mc Tiernan film.
• One of four Berettas converted from live fire to blank fire for use in the film.
• This was, until the recent 4th installment in the series, the signature sidearm employed by John McClane. As such, it is the most recognizable prop used in the first three films. It is prominently featured on the of the two one sheet posters used to market the original film.
• Provenance includes rental agreements from the armorer to the production, with matching serial numbers.

New York Police Department Credentials

• Used by Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard (1988), the John McTiernan film.
• Made for an early scene in the film, on the airplane, but not used in the final cut of the film.
• This prop is not in the final cut of the film, but is an interesting artifact from the movie in that it is such an excellent character piece.
• Provenance includes a detailed letter from the propmaster of the film. Additionally, a second such piece was auctioned at Christies in NYC in 1996.

Hero Zippo Lighter

• Used by Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard (1988), the John McTiernan film.
• Per the prop master, the Zippo is the only one filmed and seen on screen in Die Hard.
• Most memorably used in the air duct scenes (“come out to the coast, let’s get together, have a few laughs…”).
• Provenance includes a detailed letter from the propmaster of the film.

Stunt HK-MP5L Machine Gun

• Used by Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard (1988), the John McTiernan film.
• Per the weapons specialist, one of the stunt machine guns used by John Willis and the terrorists
• This style of weapon was used throughout Die Hard, as McClane carried one during most of the film, following his having obtained one from one of the terrorists early in the film.
• Most memorably after dispatching the villain, McClane sends him down the elevator to send a message to Hans Gruber and the others, writing, “NOW I HAVE A MACHINE GUN, HO HO HO!” on the terrorists sweater.
• Provenance includes a detailed letter from the weapons specialist of the film, certified by The Golden Closet.

Hero Kenwood Radio

• Used by Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber and Hart Bockner as Harry Ellis in Die Hard (1988), the John McTiernan film.
• Used throughout the film as Gruber communicates with McClane.
• Provenance includes history of ownership back to 1998 Sotheby’s auction and a screen-match to screencaps from the Blu-Ray disc version of the film.
• Note: The antenna is not original to the production but a replacement.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Hero Glock 17 – Used by Matt Damon as Jason Bourne

• Used by Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in the Paul Greengrass film.
• This weapon is used by Jason Bourne in the NYC scenes in the last section of the film.
• Provenance includes rental agreements from the film’s armorer and letter from the on set weapons handler from the production.

Heat (1995)

Hero Colt 1991A1 Sidearm – Used by Al Pacino as Vincent Hana

• Used by Al Pacino as Vincent Hana in the Michael Mann film.
• A customized and modified Colt M1991A1 Series 80 from Stembridge Gun Rentals. Customization includes custom ivory stocks, as well as conversion from live fire to blank fire. Unique customizations specified by Michael Mann, per Stembridge.
• This weapon is used by Vincent Hana to gun down and kill Neil McCauley (portrayed by Robert De Niro) in the climax of the film.
• Provenance includes Little John’s COA (previously from Stembridge collection), rental agreements, customization that matches Stembridge Heat specs, direct match to Guns Magazine feature (is the piece pictured in the article). Additionally, there is a possible screen-match to one of the scenes in the film and the piece still has studio blood on the stocks and may have been used in the shooting scene in the final moments of the film.
• For full reference see “OPB Article Stembridge Auction Report, Part 12: Al Pacino Pistol from Heat“

Jackie Brown (1997)

Hero Colt .38 Detective Special – Used by Pam Greer as Jackie Brown and Robert Forster as Max Cherry

• Colt .38 used by Pam Greer as Jackie Brown and Robert Forster as Max Cherry in the Quentin Tarantino film.
• Wallet and credentials and lighter used by Pam Greer as Jackie Brown.
• Provenance varies based on piece.  All pieces originated from Steve Joyner, propmaster, which were liquidated through StarWares.  All pieces include StarWares COA.  Colt .38 can be screenmatched in details/scratches/cuts. All pieces confirmed as from Steve Joyner per StarWares records.

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Hero Customized Winchester 12 Pump Shotgun – Used by Juliette Lewis as Mallory Knox

• Used by Juliette Lewis as Mallory Knox in the Oliver Stone film.
• A customized and modified Winchester 12 Pump Shotgun 12 gauge from Stembridge Gun Rentals. Customization includes custom paint, pistol grips, and mounted cartridge block.
• This weapon is held by Mallory Knox in many prominent publicity photos, seen held by her in the film in the context of “in film” publicity, and is seen used in the film in the context of two actors playing Mickey and Mallory in the “American Maniacs” television show, hosted by Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.).
• Provenance includes Little John’s COA (previously from Stembridge collection), ScreenUsed COA, customization that matches film specs, rental agreements, and a direct match to several publicity photos.

Point of No Return (1993)

Hero Custom Hammerli Model 280 – Used by Bridget Fonda as Maggie

• Used by Bridget Fonda as Maggie Hayward/Claudia Anne Doran/Nina in the John Badham film.
• One of two or more custom chromed Hammerli Model 280 pistol modified by Stembridge Gun Rentals.
• This is the most recognizable prop used in the film. It is used by Maggie in the first assassination sequence and is prominently featured on the one sheet poster.
• Provenance includes origination from Stembridge Gun Rentals (subsequently sold at the Little John’s Auction Service Stembridge event), the custom chroming, screen-matching to the film, and a serial number match to the one sheet and several publicity photos.
• For full reference see “OPB Article Stembridge Auction Report, Part 7: Hero Pistol – Point of No Return“

 

Note:  The actual property depicted on this page ARE NOT assets of Original Prop Blog, LLC

Note:  All original photos and descriptions are copyright Original Prop Blog, LLC – please contact me for permission to use