Imperial Blaster
Wolff
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The IMPERIAL BLASTER was usually released with the following combinations of colour to figure:
Blue Imperial Blaster:
- Boba Fett (Lili Ledy)
- Death Squad Commander (Lili Ledy)
- IG-88
- Imperial Commander (Kenner & Lili Ledy)
- Stormtrooper (Lili Ledy) (more likely black-blue, but sometimes blue)
Black-Blue Imperial Blaster:
Silver Imperial Blaster:
There are 10 main mould variations plus subvariants. More subvariants do exist. As a result of the fact that these were shot on a sprue tree in higher numbers the subvariants may vary heavily depending on the steel mould used.
M1 was produced by UNITOY in Hong Kong. The following colours are known:
- blue (translucent)
- greenish black-blue
- black-blue
- greyish black
- black
M1a:
M1b:
M2 was produced by UNITOY in Hong Kong. This is definitely a later used mould by UNITOY and probably started with 21-backs. The following colours are known:
- blue (rough surface)
- blue
- black-blue
M2a:
M2b:
M3 was produced by KADER in Hong Kong. This seems to be the earliest KADER mould. It was probably only used in the beginning of the line (12-backs). The following colours are known:
- greenish black-blue
- black-blue (semi-translucent turquoise)
- black-blue (semi-translucent blue)
- black-blue
M3a:
M3b:
M4 was produced by KADER in Hong Kong. This mould was used by Kader from the beginning till POTF. It further more was used by GLASSLITE in Brazil for the DROIDS line. The following colours are known:
- dark blue
- blue
- greenish black-blue
- black-blue (semi-translucent turquoise)
- black-blue (semi-translucent blue)
- black-blue
- solid black (POTF and Glasslite)
- silver (Glasslite)
M4a:
M4b:
M5 was produced by SMILE in Hong Kong. The mould was used by SMILE for the entire line. Furthermore those moulds were probably also used by PBP in Spain. The following colours are known:
- greenish blue (highly translucent)
- dark blue
- blue
- silverish green-black (slightly metallic)
- silverish blue-black (slightly metallic)
- black-blue
- dark black-blue
- almost solid black (probably PBP)
M5a:
M5b:
M6 was produced by UNIVERSAL MANUFACTURERS in TAIWAN. It was therefore only released with Boba Fett with Taiwan COO. The following colours are known:
- greenish black-blue
- black-blue
M6a:
M6b:
M7 was produced by KADER in Hong Kong and probably used for their plant in China. The moulds were also used by LILI LEDY in Mexico and PBP in Spain. The following colours are known:
- blue with greenish tint
- blue (Lili Ledy)
- greenish black-blue
- dark blue
- black-blue
- very dark black-blue with violet hue (Lili Ledy)
- dull solid black (Lili Ledy)
- shiny solid black (Lili Ledy)
M7a:
M7b:
M8 was produced by KADER in Hong Kong. It was only released in the weapons pack “Survival Kit” from Kenner. The following colours are known:
- light blue
- blue
M9 was produced by TAKARA in Japan. It was therefore only released with Stormtrooper with Japan COO. The following colours are known:
- grey-black (highly translucent)
M10 was produced by TOP TOYS in Argentina. It was therefore only released with Stormtrooper from Top Toys. The following colours are known:
- black-blue
The RETRO COLLECTION was introduced in 2019 by HASBRO. The figures are licensed reproductions made to look like the figures from the 70s and 80s. These figures look very similar to the originals at first glance, but on closer inspection you can see clear differences. The weapons are made also like look-a-likes. The following versions are known:
- numbered and smooth (Tarkin)
- rough (Stormtrooper)
- rough and large (Boba Fett)
They do mostly resemble the M5 version from SMILE. Here is some comparison pics:
Easy to use, the Imperial Blaster accessory holder is supplied in 2 parts – BASE and TOP PLATE – and are specifically designed to accompany the GW Acrylic LASER cases.
All holders are produced from Archival grade UV acrylic sheet (UV 99%+) to ensure the very best protection for your collection.
We like to access our collectibles and have the freedom to change things up therefore we recommend Bostik Removeable Glue Dots which are acid and lignin free and leave no trace on the surface of the case when removed.
> Check out the new accessory holder range over at the GW ACRYLIC site
BRAZIL
Coming soon
This blaster was produced by Elektrospółdzielnia (EVANPLAST) for an unnamed line in Poland. The mould was used only in the 80s. These were packed in baggies probably stapled onto cardbacks and sold as accessory sets. They are nowadays mostly paired with the figures that came from the same factory in the so called “Polish 1st Gen” line. All those weapons came in a huge variety of colours over the years. Here are two examples:
- blue
- black-blue
R1: COLOUR COMPARISON
The R1 is one of the most common reproductions out there. It has been around for decades. The early ones are painted grey, blue and black. In later production they were casted in the colour needed. Lots of shades are known as seen above. They don’t swim when submerged in water and therefore are an easy spot.
They do mostly resemble the M7 version from KADER:
The following colours are known:
- light grey
- grey
- dark grey
- dark grey painted
- light blue
- blue
- blue painted (no picture)
- blue-black
- black
- black painted (no picture)
R1a: Recast of R1
The R1A is a homemade recast of the R1. Why anyone would recast a cheap reproduction blaster at all is beyond my mind. Those do possibly exist in more colours. They don’t swim when submerged in water.
The R2 is as well as the R1 one of the most common reproductions out there. It also has been around for decades. They don’t swim when submerged in water and lacking a lot of details.
The R2 blasters do mostly resemble the M5 version from SMILE:
The following colours are known:
- blue
- blue (pictured example has tapered handle to resemble an UZAY blaster)
- black
R2A: MODIFICATION of R2
The R2A is a modification of the R2 blaster. A grip pattern was added and therefore a second EPM was probably necessary. They don’t swim when submerged in water.
The R3 blaster is a homemade recast with usually lots of flashing and airbubbles to the surface. Those only came in black and are part of a series with known specimen of Jawa Blaster, Leia Blaster and Endor Blaster. They do swim when submerged in water.
The R3 blaster is a recast of the M7 version from KADER:
The following colours are known:
- black (flashing removed)
- black (with flashing)
The R4 blaster has minor irregularties and seems to be shot not casted. They don’t swim when submerged in water.
The R4 blasters do mostly resemble the M6 version made in TAIWAN:
The following colours are known:
- black (less detailed)
- black
The R5 blaster looks like a homemade recast with less detail, an obvious gate scar to the rear and a typical “blob” to the magazine. This reproduction does swim when submerged in water.
The R5 blaster is a recast of the M6 version made in TAIWAN:
The following colours are known:
- greyish black
The R6 blaster is one of the most, if not the most accurate reproduction blasters out there. There is tell-tales as on every reproduction piece, but it is a very close one which can be easily mistaken for the real thing. As far as I know these are produced and sold in Spain. This reproduction does not swim when submerged in water.
The R6 blasters do mostly resemble the M5 version from SMILE:
The following colours are known:
- blue
- black-blue (?) (no picture)
The R7 blaster is a painted homemade recast. The quality of those vary pretty much, so we can assume someone is trying hard to get better and better results. Those are pretty fragile and do easily break into pieces. They don’t swim when submerged in water.
The R7 blaster is a recast of the M4 version from KADER:
The following colours are known:
- greyish black (painted)
- black-blue (painted)
- blue (painted)
The R8 blaster is a recast and usually has air bubbles on the surface. The front and rear part are not accurate due to the casting process. This reproduction does not swim when submerged in water.
The R8 blaster is a recast of the M5 version from SMILE:
The following colours are known:
- black-blue
The R9 blaster is one of the newest reproductions out there. They do swim when submerged in water and the material they are made of is as close as possible. They are even semi-translucent. The square indent on the side clip is a good tell-tale, but be aware, by now a few examples surfaced were that detail was sanded of or removed otherwise. So comparing the grip pattern is the better way to identify those.
The R9 blasters do mostly resemble the M4 version from KADER:
The following colours are known:
- blue
- dark blue with greenish hue
- black-blue
- black-blue with greenish hue
- black
The R10 blaster was released by Crazy Toys from China. Several packaging configurations are known. Usually they do come in 2-packs with white and black (shadow) Stormtroopers. The blaster is more a knock-off then a reproduction to me. The front part and very rough grip pattern are a good tell-tale on those. The blaster does not swim when submerged in water.
The R10 blasters do mostly resemble the M5 version from SMILE:
The following colours are known:
- glossy black
The R11 blaster is a pretty unknown reproduction and also comes up barely. It seems to be a recast but is lacking any air bubbles or other signs from being cast. Another important detail is, that it is way smaller compared to an original. They don’t swim when submerged in water.
The following colours are known:
- black
