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Batman's (Michael Keaton) speargun from Tim Burton's superhero sequel Batman Returns. Batman used his speargun, also known as the spring-action reel or the grapple gun, as a key gadget during his battle with members of Penguin's (Danny DeVito) gang on the streets of Gotham.

The speargun that appeared in Batman Returns was a design carried over from the original Batman (1989) film. Multiple variations of the speargun were conceived around the idea that different accessories could attach to the spring-action reel which also contained a firing mechanism. Those accessories included the spearhook that was the main attachment, smoke capsules, bolas, and tranquilizers, and were designed by concept designer Julian Caldow for the first film. After that film's success, the speargun was widely seen in images of Batman and became one of the character's most iconic gadgets. New props were built for Batman Returns that were modeled exactly on those for the first film, though slightly different in construction. The first film props were capable of interchanging the front accessories, while the props for Returns were made as with the speargun attachment integral to the back spring-action reel section.

This speargun includes a practical folding handle that locks into place via a spring-loaded retention mechanism, and is constructed primarily from resin hand-painted in Batman's signature black with metalized silver-color panels screwed in on each side. A length of gray cord is wrapped around a spring-coiled practical spindle; when the rope is pulled out of the prop, the spring-mechanism functions to return it to the coil.

The speargun is the signature accessory of Michael Keaton's Batman and original props are exceedingly rare; this is one of only two spearguns from either Batman or Batman Returns still known to exist. This lot exhibits signs of production use and age throughout, including fraying to the rope's end, paint scratching exposing unpainted resin underneath, and loosening to the screw-on handgrip. Dimensions: 9" x 5" x 3" (23 cm x 12.75 cm x 7.75 cm)

Contains mechanical components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000



View all lots from BATMAN RETURNS (1992)

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