A
Graflex 3-Cell flashgun was the actual prop used by George Lucas
for Luke's lightsabers in
A New Hope and
The Empire Strikes Back.
The Graflex flashgun held the flash bulbs for a vintage
"Speed Graphic" camera from the 1940's.


*Note: No modifications or changes
beyond the flash pan being removed have been made to the flashgun in this pic.

There are different versions of the flashgun, but it's a 3-cell flashgun
with
patent #2310165 stamped onto the bottom that was used for the film.

The 3 pieces of a disassembled graflex flashgun

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Graflex flashgun conversion to Luke's ANH Lightsaber Hilt-Seven 3 5/8" long black hand grips
- LED calculator 7 bubble display lens slid into the Graflex's mounting clamp
Only two 7 bubble models are known,
Texas Instruments Exactra 19 and Exactra 20 from 1974.
(pic of an Exactra 20 interior)

-D-ring attached with single screw for the belt clip
-Chrome tape - 1/2" wide chrome mylar tape for covering
the word "Graflex" that is stamped into the clamp.
Graflex flashgun conversion to Luke's ESB Lightsaber Hilt-Six 3 5/8" long black rubber hand grips notched and fasteners added
-A second red button replaced the test light lens

-HP-44 bus type computer card edge connector cut down to 2" long with
13 gold connectors was slid into the Graflex's mounting clamp

-D-ring attached with screws or rivets (multiple versions)


-Chrome tape - 1/2" wide chrome mylar tape for covering
the word "Graflex" that is stamped into the clamp.
For more detailed info on Luke's ANH & ESB hilts click on the following links:
ANH http://www.partsofsw.com/skysab.htmESB http://www.partsofsw.com/esbsksab.htm------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graflex ANH Luke built by Yoda of FX-Sabers.com
Graflex ESB Luke built by Yoda of FX-Sabers.com
ANH & ESB side-by-side
Yoda's Complete Saber Kit, with interchangeable bottoms ANH & ESB
All the parts needed to put together both lightsabers.

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Yoda's Graflex ANH and ESB lightsabers feature:Blue 3watt Luxeon LED -Luxeon is evenly lit along the shaft and is brighter at the base
(just like in the original trilogy movie posters) because it's a single
light that is placed into the hilt. The placement of the LED allows for
a removable blade making a Luxeon the best choice for dueling.
TCSS Aluminum Blade Holder -The Custom Saber Shop...
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/The blade is held in place by a solid aluminum holder.
Corbin Components Blade & Film-The Corbin film is a diffuser that gives the saber a white core
in the center of the blade (just like in the original trilogy movie posters).
Blast Tech Rubber GripsANH version has 7. ESB version 6.
Including Sound and Battery module w/protective sleeve.A plastic sleeve is used to center and protect the battery cartridge also allowing the sound to travel back up the saber and out of the holes of the Graflex clamp as well as in conjunction with the multiple holes hidden under the D-Ring. The placement of these holes give you a loud saber without sacrificing the movie accurateness of the hilt. The sound is chambered and resonates through the body giving a slightly different (a more metallic resonance) and deeper tone from the typical Anakin sounds even though it's the same module. It also does not have the direct harshness of the MR sound at the bottom of the hilt. Do not worry it's not at all muffled sounding...it is
Loud guaranteed.
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On/ OffThe red push button is the activator for the blade.
Since it's not a switch this reduces accidental turn offs during dueling, spinning, or handling of the saber.
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WeightThe Graflex's combined weight of hilt and blade is
lighter than the MR Anakin ROTS which uses a heavier cast metal. The Graflex has a lighter blade because it's hollow (no LEDs inside) which makes the hilt feel heavier giving the Graflex a better feel than a MR. Also with an aluminum adapter in the top and batteries in the bottom the Graflex's hilt by itself is better balanced than a stock MR.
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*Note: All Graflex's have a degree of natural weathering from being around for 60 years which is actually more movie prop realistic being that
Luke's sabers were used and weathered from training. So the Graflex looks the part of being a real lightsaber that's served its master well.
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"I can use either an Original Vintage Graflex Flashguns and/or Parks Graflex Replicas. The Vintages usually cost about $50 more
because of their higher cost to obtain as well as the extra labor involved because they need to be throughly cleaned as well as
gutting the parts is more difficult than a Parks Hilt because a Vintage is not necessarily designed to be taken apart." -Yoda
To order or talk with Yoda simply PM him using this link:
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=75For more info on Yoda's Graflex's click on the following link:
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?board=47.0------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this post has helped in buying a Graflex from Yoda please mention my name and the post to him.
It is his Graflex that was my inspiration for writing. Thank You. -Red Five