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Star Wars
Throughout the films of the Star Wars saga, creator George Lucas was determined that the universe he envisioned would have a "lived-in" look to it. Thus, the many weapons seen in the saga are in fact visually modified or based upon real-world weapons.
Note: This page encompasses all the films of the Star Wars saga.
The following lists the real-world firearms that were visually modified for use in the films of the Star Wars saga:
Original Trilogy (Episodes IV, V, and VI)
DDC Defender and SC X-30 Blaster Pistols (Vostok Margolin .22LR target pistol)
In the early scenes of A New Hope and in a few scenes in Return of the Jedi, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) can be seen with a "Drearian Defense Conglomerate Defender sporting blaster pistol" and "SoroSuub Corporation X-30 "Lancer" target blast pistol", respectively. They are both actually a Vostok Margolin .22LR target pistol, with some muzzle attachment fitted, selected for its diminutive size, keeping the prop gun from looking too bulky and unwieldy in Fisher's petite hands. Among other details, the X-30 in Return of the Jedi version lacks the commercially available compensator that the A New Hope prop had, attributed in-universe to the X-30 being a smaller more compact version of the Defender. Luke also briefly carries the Defender during the ceremony at the end of A New Hope.
BlasTech E-11 Blaster Rifle (Sterling L2A3)
The "BlasTech E-11 blaster rifle" is the standard issue blaster rifle of the Imperial Stormtroopers. The E-11 props were built from the British-made Sterling L2A3 submachine gun (provided by Bapty & Co.). Numerous main characters, including Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) use the weapon. Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) also uses an E-11 blaster in The Empire Strikes Back. Some details differ between the three movies, most notably the method of scope attachment and battery pack beside it (or lack thereof).
A revealing mistake is that spent cartridge cases can be seen ejecting from this "blaster" rifle. It is most noticeable in the bridge swing scene of A New Hope and when Lando is firing at Stormtroopers in The Empire Strikes Back. In Return of the Jedi the hero props were built from MGC Sterling replicas, explaining why there were no blanks used as in the previous two films.
BlasTech DH-17 Blaster Pistol
One of the weapons utilized by the Rebels in the films is the "BlasTech DH-17 blaster pistol". These blasters are first seen in A New Hope used by Rebel troops against Stormtroopers on the blockade runner Tantive IV and are later seen being carried by guards and officers on the Death Star. These were nonfunctional props with the receiver and pistol grip based on casts from a Sterling SMG (hence the larger trigger guards) and a (back then) distinctive looking Singlepoint OEG (Occluded Eye Gunsight) attached. Consequently, the muzzle flashes were added in post-production. There is an interesting continuity error where a couple of Imperial guards start off carrying this weapon but then switch to the E-11, firing it one handed like a pistol no less. This is perhaps because they looked similar enough and blanks provided a better reference point for adding blaster effects later.
In The Empire Strike Back, it is the weapon of a few Rebel soldiers on Hoth and a couple of guards on Darth Vader's Super Star Destroyer. For the film, the DH-17s were made from real Sterlings and were usable props that could actually fire. Despite the prop upgrade, the weapon had very little overall screen time during the film.
BlasTech A295 and A280 Blaster Rifles
The "BlasTech A295 blaster rifle" and "BlasTech A280 blaster rifle" are the standard issue blasters of the Rebel Alliance ground forces in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, respectively. Both the A295 and A280 props were cast from replicas similar to (built from) both the World War 2-era German Sturmgewehr 44 (the A295) and from the M16 series rifles (the A280).
BlasTech DLT-19 Heavy Blaster Rifle (MG34)
The "BlasTech DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle" is the standard issue heavy blaster of the Imperial Stormtroopers. The DLT-19s were nothing more than World War II German MG34 general purpose machine guns painted solid black with added "rails" on the barrel shroud (like the E-11).
BlasTech T-21 Light Repeating Blaster (Lewis Gun)
The "BlasTech T-21 light repeating blaster" seen carried by the Sandtrooper Officer in A New Hope is a British Lewis light machine gun with its drum magazine removed and minor cosmetic alterations.
RT-97C Heavy Blaster Rifle (MG15)
Imperial Sandtroopers can be seen carrying "RT-97C heavy blaster rifles" while on patrol on Tatooine in A New Hope. The RT-97C prop is in fact a modified German MG15 machine gun. Notably, until the release of Star Wars Blueprints: The Ultimate Collection in 2008, the weapon did not have an official designation, and had been simply referred to as the "MG-15" by fans. The name references, Chris Reiff and Chris Trevas, the artists of the blueprints, and the year they first met - R(eiff)T(revas)-(19)97C(hris).
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BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol (Mauser C96)
The "BlasTech DL-44 heavy blaster pistol" is the weapon of choice for Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and the Rebel Alliance. The weapon is also seen been wielded by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) throughout The Empire Strikes Back. Possibly the best known duplicate of a real gun, the DL-44 blaster pistol prop was built from a Mauser C96 handgun, sometimes with a sniper rifle scope. The modifications are obviously added on to the exterior, though the distinct "broomhandle" grips are still wooden.
The live-fire C96 used in Star Wars was previously used in The Naked Runner, where it also had a scope mounted to it, although the lower body was replaced. The scope and mount actually used in Star Wars were previously used in Sitting Target, where it was mounted to a Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer machine pistol.
Ion Blaster (Cut-down Lee-Enfield No.1 MkIII)
The "ion blaster" utilized by the Jawas who shoot R2-D2 in A New Hope were built from a cut-down British Lee-Enfield No.1 MkIII* series bolt-action rifle with the grenade launcher cup attached to the shortened barrel.
EE-3 Carbine Rifle (Webley & Scott Flare Gun)
The "EE-3 carbine rifle" (modeled after the E-11 in-universe), a modified Webley & Scott No.1 Mark 1 Flare Gun, is used by Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. In The Empire Strikes Back the barrel was rather simple looking, but in Return of the Jedi, it has a more distinctive barrel and the scope is actually mounted backwards to where it was before!
BlasTech SE-14C Blaster Pistol (Rexim-Favor Mk5)
The "BlasTech SE-14C blaster pistol" is carried by Dr. Evazan in A New Hope. He draws his weapon after provoking a fight with Luke Skywalker at the Mos Eisley cantina. It was built from a Swiss Rexim-Favor Mk5 submachine gun with the stock, barrel, and magazine removed and two ASI 4x20 scopes attached. A similar weapon, the "BlasTech SE-14r light repeating blaster" is also seen being wielded by Stormtroopers in publicity photos for A New Hope, but does not actually appear in the films. It's possible at least one of the props was derived from a Rexim-Favor-based laser pistol used in Alien.
Dressellian Projectile Rifle (Mauser Kar98k)
An unmodified Mauser Kar98k bolt-action rifle as the "Dressellian projectile rifle" is seen in the hands of the character Orrimaarko (a.k.a. "Prune Face") in promotional photos for Return Of The Jedi.
Prequel Trilogy (Episodes I, II, and III)
Theed Arms Security S-5 Heavy Blaster Pistol (Feinwerkbau C55 Model Air Gun)
In The Phantom Menace, the Naboo troops use the "Theed Arms Security S-5 heavy blaster pistol", which was based around a Feinwerkbau C55 Model Air Gun.
Naboo Blaster (Walther LPM-1 Air Gun)
In addition to the S-5 Heavy Blaster Pistol a second unnamed pistol is also carried by some Naboo troops in The Phantom Menace. The pistol is based on a resin casting of a Walther LPM-1 Air Gun fitted with optics and an under-barrel attachment similar to that used on the S-5, and with grooves machined into the air reservoir.
Corellian Arms CR-2 Heavy Blaster Pistol (Calico M950A)
Also seen being used by Naboo troops in The Phantom Menace is the "Corellian Arms CR-2 heavy blaster pistol", which appears to be based off of the Calico M950A.
BlasTech DC-15A Blaster Rifle
The "BlasTech DC-15A blaster rifle" (now known canonically as the "DC-15 blaster rifle") is the weapon of choice for the Galactic Republic's clone troopers during the Clone Wars in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. It is essentially a larger and more powerful long-range alternative to the DC-15S blaster carbine. Although entirely computer-generated (as are all the clone troopers, no costumes were manufactured), its design is based on parts from the German MG34 making up the rear half, as well as much of a scaled-up Sterling L2A3 turned upside-down for the front.
BlasTech DC-15S Blaster Carbine
Like the M16 has the M4, the DC-15A has the "BlasTech DC-15S blaster carbine" (now known canonically as the "DC-15A blaster"). It is basically a compacted version of the DC-15A, lacking some of the range but making up for it in handling and rate of fire. It is usually seen in the hands of officers, most notably Commander Bacara when he and the Galactic Marines kill Ki-Adi-Mundi, as well as in the hands of many regular clone troopers (in-universe, the design of the DC-15S carbine would later influence the design and development of the E-11 blaster rifle). Though all weapons were computer generated, its similarity to the E-11 (most notably the folding stock) suggests it was based on the Sterling L2A3 as well.
Sequel Trilogy (Episodes VII, VIII, and IX)
Sonn-Blas F-11D Blaster Rifle
In The Force Awakens, the standard First Order Stormtroopers are armed with "Sonn-Blas F-11D blaster rifles", which appear to be upgraded models of the BlasTech E-11 blaster rifles seen in the original trilogy. Some of the blasters (such as the one carried by Captain Phasma) are fitted with stocks, which are based on the ATI Strikeforce, mounted on to the back of the receiver tube. While the blaster may appear to have retained the E-11's folding stock, it is actually be a static piece, with the butt of the stock having been turned into a folding foregrip. The F-11D also features an extendable flashlight just below the barrel. Captain Phasma's unique F-11D, like her armor, has a reflective "chromium" finish and also lacks a trigger guard (called a "recurved" trigger guard, apparently for a "two-handed grip").
Unlike the first two films of the original trilogy, the F-11Ds do not appear to be made from real Sterling SMGs but are instead mock ups, as indicated most obviously by the fact that the magazine protrudes out of the right side of the receiver rather than the left (most likely a practical consideration to make the weapons easier to hold and holster). Also note the manufacturer's name, which is derived from BlasTech Industries (who made the E-11) and Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc., who together spun off Sonn-Blas to avoid treaty restrictions that prevented major galactic corporations from selling arms to the First Order.
Sonn-Blas SE-44C Blaster Pistol (FAB Defense KPOS)
In The Force Awakens, some First Order Stormtroopers carry the "Sonn-Blas SE-44C blaster pistol", which appears to be based (numerous subtle differences suggest the props were actually custom made) on a Glock inside a FAB Defense KPOS carbine conversion kit with the folding stock removed, a custom muzzle device (similar to the DL-44's) fitted, and a strange sight-like device (the front of which appears to be based on an AR-15-style front sight). In-universe, a black version called the "officer's blaster" or the "officer's edition" is used by First Order officers (such as General Hux) and TIE fighter pilots, but it doesn't seem to appear in the film. Furthermore, the SE-44C seems to never be fired, and only appears holstered throughout the film.
BlasTech EL-16 Blaster and EL-16HFE Blaster Rifle (Heckler & Koch G36C)
The Resistance uses the "BlasTech EL-16 blaster" and "BlasTech EL-16HFE [Heavy Field Edition] blaster rifle" in The Force Awakens which appear to be based on a Heckler & Koch G36 variant, likely the Heckler & Koch G36C. The two blasters are visually identical, except that the EL-16HFE has a stock. Poe Dameron uses the EL-16HFE at the beginning of the film, firing at Kylo Ren only to have his bolt suspended mid-air by Ren. Finn later gets an EL-16 (with sling) from Han Solo, and uses it for much of the rest of the film. In-universe, the two blasters are outdated surplus by the time of the events of the film.
Eirriss Ryloth Defense Tech Glie-44 Blaster Pistol (SIG-Sauer P226)
Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (and General Leia Organa, in-universe at least) is armed with the "Eirriss Ryloth Defense Glie-44 blaster pistol", which appears to be based on the SIG-Sauer P226. He keeps the blaster holstered for the entire film.
LPA NN-14 Blaster Pistol
In The Force Awakens, Han Solo gives Rey the "LPA NN-14 blaster pistol", which she uses against the First Order's forces during the Battle on Takodana. While the blaster appears to have been largely custom made for the film, the grips seem to be based on the Mauser C96's.
BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol (Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer)
The DL-44 blaster pistol returns in The Force Awakens as the blaster of choice for Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Strangely enough, despite it being very well known that the DL-44s in the Original Trilogy were based on Mauser C96s, The Force Awakens's DL-44 is based on a Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer machine pistol. All of the props seems to have been based on airsoft/replica M712s, with their selector switches removed to make them appear more like the C96. At least one of the props was built from an HFC M712 and another from what appears to be a Marushin M712, both with their scope, scope mount, and "grill" seemingly based on the (non-Elite Edition) Master Replicas Han Solo Blaster replica.
