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John McClane's (Bruce Willis) stunt Heckler & Koch MP5A3 submachine gun from John McTiernan's Die Hard. After dispatching Hans Gruber's (Alan Rickman) henchman Tony Vreski (Andreas Wisniewski), McClane took his assailant's weapon and radio. For the rest of the film, McClane carried and utilised his machine gun to eliminate more of Gruber's terrorists as he fought to get the LAPD involved, then later as he rescued the hostages, including his wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). Willis sometimes used rubber stunt guns during filming, especially for action sequences, as they were lighter weight and softer than their metal counterparts.
Based on the novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Roderick Thorp, Die Hard grossed $140 million on its initial $25 million - $35 million budget, and defied the predictions of industry professionals. It is considered one of the greatest action films of all time as it revitalized the genre and had a massive impact on pop culture. Die Hard established both Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman as feature film stars and spawned four sequels.
This lot originated from prop master Mike Papac's collection. It consists of a static black rubber stunt gun with a black nylon strap that was modelled after a gun modified specifically for the first Die Hard film. It features the lower receiver of an MP5 and an HK94 upper receiver, with a cut down barrel and is stamped with the models on their respective parts. This weapon was made with a collapsed stock, rather than an extended one, which McClane was often seen carrying throughout the film.
Also included is the original receipt of purchase from Stembridge Gun Rentals. This lot exhibits pitting in the rubber from the curing process, as well as a buildup of grime in the crevices, and a notable centre seam. Dimensions: 50 cm x 6 cm x 25 cm (19.75" x 2.25" x 9.75)
Restricted ownership; see replica firearm notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £8,000 - 16,000 Ω
Mike Papac is among Hollywood's most respected armourers. Active in the film industry since the late 1970s, he served as weapons specialist on action classics including Lethal Weapon and Die Hard, and as property gun master for Predator - all within an 18-month span. By the early 1990s, Papac had become a trusted resource for leading directors such as Tony Scott, Renny Harlin, and Richard Donner, collaborating throughout the decade with stars including Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. His career has encompassed work as prop master and armourer on some of cinema's most successful franchises, from Iron Man and Man of Steel to acclaimed action comedies like Three Kings and Red. Original hero pieces from the Die Hard films are exceptionally rare, and Propstore is proud to present these examples from Mike Papac's personal collection - offered to the public for the first time.
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