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Star Trek TNG & Voyager Hero Type 1 Cricket Phaser

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Television Memorabilia Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Star Trek TNG & Voyager Hero Type 1 Cricket Phaser
Star Trek TNG & Voyager Hero Type 1 Cricket Phaser - The Type 1 Personal "Cricket" Phaser was first used in "Star Trek: The Next Generation". It was one of Gene Roddenberry's favorite gadgets since to him, it represented a different kind of weaponry for a more "civilized" 24th Century. He liked the fact that it was small and "non-threatening", (it resembled the "cricket" noise makers that became a popular toy, and was first created to be used in WWII to signal friendly soldiers in the dark during "D Day"), but also that it was used in "TNG" mostly to subdue rather than kill. This is an actual hero screen used Type 1 Hand Cricket Phaser of the type first seen in the pilot episode of "TNG" entitled "Encounter At Farpoint" (Season 1, Episode 1 - aired September 26th, 1987), and then used several more times before being "retired" for larger phasers. One reason for the Cricket's demise was that fact that since the TV's of the time did not have high resolution the small Cricket sometimes got "lost in the scene", and made it look like the power beams were coming out of the actor's hands! However, the Cricket was re-established again in "Voyager". it was last seen in the "Voyager" episode "In The Flesh" (Season 5 Episode 4 aired November 4th, 1998). The Cricket Phaser was cast in resin and acrylic. It was originally designed by Rich Stembach and built by prop master Tom Homsher. It was repainted several different colors from the transition from "TNG" to "Voyager". This screen used unit is painted silver with a thumb pad (the silver Trigger overlay button has been removed), two power buttons, eight degree power meter, pre-fire chamber, particle vents and muzzle. The thumb pad is removable exposing the original production special effects electrical wires inside that triggered LED's in the vents and muzzle. The letter "C" has been written on the underside of the pad. It comes originally from the collection of both Star Trek Pyro Special Effects Technician Mark Stimson, and Star Trek Set Designer Fritz Zimmerman (son of legendary Star Trek Production Designer Herman F. Zimmerman) and comes with a Letter Of Provenience from another Star Trek crewmember who acquired it from them. (Phaser is approx 3.5"x1`.5").