E-11 ANH b

This version is seen, to our knowledge, only briefly at the very beginning of ANH as the Stormtroopers follow Darth Vader aboard the Tantive IV.

NOTE: The only known major difference between this version and version "A2" of the ANH BlasTech E-11's is the version of scope mounted to the top of the gun (see below for details.)

The BlasTech E-11's were built from British Sterling Mk4/L2A3 submachine guns. Produced after 1957, they may have been UK military contract weapons.

Modifications to the guns involved the addition of six grips around the barrel. The exact identity of the grip material has yet to be determined, but recent revelations suggest hard black plastic T-track from old cupboards with sliding doors. These were cut to varying lengths and each end was then inserted into the appropriate cooling hole in the barrel jacket. Note: The row of holes on the underside of the gun had no grips as they would interfere with the folding stock. Also, the row of holes just above the folding stock on the left side of the gun received no grips, presumably this is because of the bayonet attachment stub that occupies the third hole from the front in this row.

Another modification includes the addition of a M19 or M32 azimuth scope (see below) to a mount by the use of the two hex head bolts that came with the scope. This scope mount is in the form of an approximately 1cm wide by 1/16" - 1/8" thick strip of metal sitting about a 1/4" above the gun. The front end of the strip was bent and inserted into the rear most vent hole on the top of the gun thus requiring no rivet or other attachment. On this blaster variation the rear of the mount strip goes straight back into the rear sight and is attached there presumably by riveting it to the sight.

Next, a Hengstler Corporation industrial mechanical counter was then added to the side of the gun close behind the magazine receiver. There are at least two variations of the Hengstler boxes known to have been used on the BlasTech E-11 version A props and we presume they were used on this variant as well. The only visual difference between the two boxes is in the logos on their sides. (see below) The obvious difference being that the one on the left actually says Hengstler where the one on the right merely has the "eagle" logo. It is unknown exactly which version of the Hengstler box was used.

A bit of history: The eagle logo was dropped by the company during or shortly after W.W.II because of its resemblance to German icons.

Two small cylinders (details on these are not known) rest on top of the magazine well in a mount of sorts. See the "Unidentified" section of the site for detailed photos and theories about these parts.

The standard Sterling Mk4/L2A3 34-round magazine model L1A1 was used. These were manufactured by Sterling Engineering Co of Dagenham, Essex. The unique scalloped-edge design (seen below) distinquishes it from magazines made by other military contract manufacturers.

They were cut down considerably. The exact length varies between each prop (from 1/2 to 2/5 the original length). Both ends of the magazines were used. The blank firing versions used the feed end of the magazine which locks into the magazine well while non-firing models usually used the left over ends. On some of the guns there are magazines with the real bottom plate covering the exposed end. Others have replicated plates (no hole in the center) and some were just plugged with a piece of wood.

On non-firing versions of the prop like this one, the cocking handle was removed from the bolt and the ejector was removed. The ejector is located just behind the magazine well and is held in place by a retaining screw. The magazine catch had to be removed to release the ejector, but it was put back in after.

The bolt, where it shows through the oval cartridge ejection port on the right side of the gun was possibly covered with aluminum or chrome tape. We can not verify this as we have no images of that side of the weapon.