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Star Wars Weapons – Part 1
Blaster Pistol
BlasTech DL-44 favored by many heroes of the Rebellion
Han Solo’s signature BlasTech DL-44 heavy blaster pistol benefits from a highly illegal military power cell and customized energizer circuitry for maximum blast impact. This heavy-duty performance is enough to tear huge chunks from the adobe walls of a desert planet docking bay, and more than enough to permanently discourage the average Rodian opponent.
After the Battle of Yavin, Solo had fitted his trusty DL-44 with an improved silver flash suppressor and a couple of other military components acquired from his new Rebel friends. Solo’s modified pistol is a formidable weapon, and his quick-draw skills are honed by long practice with remotes and against living opponents.
Shortly before the Rebels set up their base on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker began using a BlasTech DL-44 blaster pistol similar to that favored by his friend Han Solo.
Blaster Rifle
Standard Stormtrooper sidearm
The standard Imperial sidearm is the BlasTech E-11 blaster rifle. This weapon has a three-position stock which allows for optimum bracing during use. Entrenched field troopers typically lock the stock in its fully open position for protracted firing on a constant target point. In full assault or unpredictable situations where agility is key, the stock is kept folded in its fully closed position, as seen here for the escort of a Rebel prisoner.
Imperial blasters are substantially more powerful than most civilian sidearms and can often penetrate the combat armor worn by stormtroopers. Captured weapons in the hands of Rebel elements can lend significant power to the opposition.
Chewbacca’s Bandolier
Chewbacca’s ammunition belt
The giant Wookiee Chewbacca wears as his only article of clothing a bandolier pouch, which holds ammunition and the few personal articles he carries with him. The Wookiee’s heavy pelt allows him to brave cold temperatures without the need for protective clothing.
When Chewbacca pretended to be a prisoner on board the Death Star, he stubbornly refused to take the bandolier off. The spectacle of a seven-foot prisoner wearing a fully-loaded ammunition belt drew more attention than Luke and Han would have preferred, and made the cell block officer suspicious of the ruse as soon as they walked in.
When it came time to rescue Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, eyes once more turned to Chewbacca, who had made such a successful “prisoner” decoy on board the Death Star. He was only talked into performing the role again due to the extremity of the situation. And so he walked into Jabba’s palace in chains. But he still wouldn’t take off his ammo bandolier.
