Theatrical Props

The theatrical section is built for people who need a gun that reads correctly from the back of a theatre and survives a run of shows. The pieces here are light enough to be carried through a scene, detailed enough for a close up, and solid enough that a dropped prop does not end the evening.

Two things matter more than finish on stage. The weight, because an actor holding a two kilogram replica at arm's length for ten minutes will start to shake; and the silhouette, because the audience sees the shape and not the engraving. Buy for those two, then match the finish to the costume.

Props for Film, Theatre and Events

A prop has to survive handling, not just look right in a photograph. For film, the camera never sees the detail a collector sees, so weight, silhouette and the way the piece moves matter more than the finish. For theatre, the same gun is handled eight times a week, and a replica with loose small parts will not last the run.

If the piece is going on set, buy two of the cheap ones rather than one expensive one. A dropped replica that chips its finish is a continuity problem, and having a second identical piece on the truck is cheaper than a reshoot. Keep the spare in the same finish; a nickel and an antique will read differently on camera.

Common questions

Is this a real gun?
No. Everything in this section is a non-firing replica or prop with a blocked barrel and no working ignition, made for display, costume and film use.

Can I use it in a public event?
Check with the venue and local rules first. Transport it in a case and never carry it openly in public.

Will the finish survive a shoot?
A solid replica will, a painted one may not. For heavy handling, choose metal rather than resin and keep a spare on set.

Theatrical Props