Or how I managed to adopt real life design to a cosplay without making a carbon copy.
As I already said in previous post, I was really disappointed and kinda embarrassed we had to use repainted Nerf weapon for a rogue trader cosplay, so as soon as I got some free time I started making something better.
Only question was what?
Jazzy requested first one, derringer and I went to look at suitable designs. I decided on Remington Model 95 that is kinda most common and iconic design that have survived to this day.
So, armed with main idea and appropriate materials I went to make an actual prop. There are no real WiP pictures since whole proces from idea to the finished product (without painting) took only couple of hours.
Main body was made out of 10mm thick plasticard, grips from a soft wood (it is very easy to work with), hammer form a lighter parts, few screws, brass decoration, some Games Workshop bitz and that was it...
It was painted by our friends from a Pish-Posh studio, and as a final touch I have added some fake gems...
Second piece was a bit more difficult to decide on. In the end choice came to two approach - first one being some huge gun, other being elegant "dueling" type of weapon. After all considerations I have decided that first one would clash with a costume, and might even look funny (Jazzy is about 155cm "tall" ), so I had to find inspiration for a retro-futuristic, elegant gun.
For those historically minded, dueling pistols were often luxuriously made, and most often came in flintlock and caplock versions, first ones being most common. But that type was out of question, since it is supposed to be wielded by a character for a 41st millenium... So for a base pistol, I have decided on more "modern", 1896 made Bergmann No.3 Target pistol. A bit archaically looking even for period 120 years ago, it was a perfect base...
To tie it with pirate theme, I have decided to add some details (partial shape of the grip) from a Scottish Highland type of the pistols, common among early 18th century pirates.
Again, main gun body was made from 10mm thick plasticard, grips from soft wood, barrel from an aluminium tubing, and decorations from plasticard and thin brass sheet.
Spider is a heraldic symbol of her Rogue Trader house, so it found it's place on grips.
Games Workshop parts and small odd parts finished decorations.
Gun was initially painted in metallic purple that looked horrible, so it was later repainted in very dark, almost black purple.
Now, such fancy gun was supposed to have a nice holster so I made one, base was plasticard and cardboard, fake velvet inside and bookbinder's fake leather outside.
Then I cut out brass decorations and made a mechanical spider (another tie-in with her family heraldry).
Final decorations were fake gems both on gun and holster and chain lanyard:
As usual, thanks to Maki for helping me with decorations, especially that mechanical spider on the holster.