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400. Ponda Baba/Walrusman's Photo-Matched Blaster ### STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
400. Ponda Baba/Walrusman's Photo-Matched Blaster ### STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977)
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STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977) - Ponda Baba/Walrusman's Photo-Matched Blaster - Ponda Baba, also known as Walrusman's, photo-matched blaster from George Lucas' Star Wars: A New Hope. Surly Aqualish bar patron Ponda Baba drew his blaster on Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) after the Jedi Master attempted to stop him and Dr. Cornelius Evazan (Alfie Curtis) from harassing Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the Mos Eisley cantina. In the ensuing confrontation, instigated with Evazan's infamous line "He doesn't like you. I don't like you either," Kenobi severed Baba's hoofed arm while it still held his blaster.

In addition to several nicks along its right side, the serial number on this blaster, 68796, photo-matches to a vintage behind-the-scenes image taken by renowned armorer Bapty documenting the weapons it provided to the production. As with many of the film's now-iconic extraterrestrial weaponry, Bapty specifically fabricated this distinctive otherworldly blaster for the film, a process they later repeated for The Empire Strikes Back. Following production, a large number of production weapons were returned to Bapty, in whose armory they were later to be rediscovered with many of their parts stripped.

In a now-infamous continuity error in the theatrical release, an insert shot of Baba's severed arm showed his hand changed from an Aqualish hoof to a hairier, werewolf-like appendage and the blaster changed to Dr. Evazan's blaster. However, the original blaster appeared in rough cut footage from the cantina sequence later included on the Blu-ray release as well as multiple behind-the-scenes images from the production. Boelo, one of Jabba the Hutt's human henchmen, also carried the same style of blaster in the Special Edition release.

This blaster was originally constructed from several different real-world components, including the metal body and barrel of a self-loading .22-caliber ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer rifle with serial number "68796" engraved near the trigger and a winged steel muzzle. The body, barrel, muzzle, scope end cap, and scope ring all originated from Bapty. The blaster features custom-drilled holes from where a scope was added during production. A metal and glass scope and aluminum scope rail replicas are screwed into those existing holes. Its twisted red grip is also a replica added to complete the weapon's distinctive look.

The blaster exhibits visible signs of production use, including scratches along its body and flaking paint around the trigger, barrel, and butt. It was sympathetically deactivated by Bapty in 2006, allowing it to be possessed with a deactivation certification. Dimensions: 16" x 7.5" x 2" (40.75 cm x 19 cm x 5 cm)

Firearm deactivated; see firearm deactivation notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Additional Provenance: Bapty Certificate of De-Activation.

Estimate: $40,000 - 80,000

Bidding for this lot will end on Thursday, August 15th. The auction will begin at 9:30AM PDT and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Friday, August 16th, Saturday, August 17th or Sunday, August 18th.