The Mauser C96: The origin of one of the most iconic weapons in movie history, and lorded over by Star Wars fans scifi geeks and cosplayers the world over. With its unique long barrel and magazine, its was known by another nickname, the Broomhandle, due to its distinctive wooden stock. A powerful weapon for its time used in many conflicts and spawned many knock-offs. But rather than being resigned to be a gun collector’s piece or museum exhibit, it it now revered amongst Star Wars fans.
I am of course talking about the DL-44 or to use its more popular name, Han Solo’s Blaster, first seen on screen in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. I fell in love with this blaster the first moment I saw it in Star wars as a kid, the shape the silver muzzle and the long scope attached to the side. I knew nothing about how it was designed or made, but I remember thinking to myself I’ve seen that before somewhere, I just couldn’t place where! Then it dawned on me, war films I’ve seen it in a war film. Don’t ask me which one, I used to watch a lot of them and still do.
