I was just saying to a friend recently, that the Holy Grail of Star Trek props is Kirk's Phaser Rifle from "Where No Man Has Gone Before". And all of a sudden it appears! The rifle will be at Julien's Hollywood auction April 5th, 2013.
The Description:
STAR TREK WILLIAM SHATNER PILOT PHASER RIFLE
A Phaser Rifle from the William Shatner-starring second pilot for Star Trek
(Desilu Productions, Norway Corporation, 1966-1969). This one-of-a-kind
weapon was created by toy inventor Reuben Klamer at the behest of Star Trek
creator Gene Roddenberry. When the original pilot presented to NBC was
asked to be retooled for a more action-packed adventure, Roddenberry
asked for a really big gun. Klamer designed and created the weapon at no
charge to the production in exchange for potential licensing rights to
the weapon. When production was wrapped, the piece was returned to
Klamer and replaced with the now familiar pistol design used throughout
the remaining three seasons of the original series. While this weapon
was never seen again in the series, it was used in a number of
studio-commissioned publicity photos and even represented on an early
lunch box for the series. The weapon is constructed out of wood and
finished with a blue/green metallic paint. There is additional
detailing, including the hand-tooled aluminum barrel and spring-loaded
trigger, a sliding switch to adjust the force setting, three plastic
non-functional domed indicator lights and inset plastic panels as well
as a telescoping antenna mounted to the top. Moveable pieces on the
weapon include three acrylic “Turret Tubes” cylinders with what appears
to be copper painted metal conduit with ends painted to match the three
force settings. The entire turret unit turns on a center axis. The black
shoulder butt also rotates to be used as a handle or shoulder stock.
The weapon comes in the original custom-made case made to deliver the
rifle to the studio.
Also included in the lot are copies of Inter-Department
Communications from Roddenberry to Bob Justman, Bernie Weitzman and Ed
Perlstein regarding the weapon as well as an original, signed letter
from Roddenberry to Klamer, dated March 16, 1966. The letter informs
Klamer that the series was picked up and they would continue discussions
regarding Klamer’s possible involvement in creating more props for the
show. Seven black and white Polaroid photographs accompany the lot
showing the finished weapon from various angles with a letter to Klamer
from employee AB Kander, discussing Roddenberry’s visit to the shop to
inspect the rifle and approving the final product. Finally, the design
plan for the rifle, signed by Roddenberry for approval on June 28, 1965.
There is an additional pen sketch on the plan with some minor revisions
to the weapon.
34 by 14 by 4 1/2 inches
More to follow.
Alec
