First look at future BrickArms prototypes [News]
Will Chapman of BrickArms was at BrickWorld 2008 the weekend before last, and Nannan scored a selection of custom items and prototypes for future BrickArms products. Since this isn’t a review (like my recent BrickForge review), I’ll mainly just show you pictures.
My favorite BrickArms prototype is the unique Lewis gun from World War I:
In addition to historical accuracy — the round magazine is removable — I think this gun has the most potential beyond military applications. In fact, the real-life Lewis gun inspired the T-21 light repeating blaster from the Star Wars universe.
The BrickArms machete and KA-BAR (“survival knife”) add sharp edges to the BrickArms inventory:
Military builders have already expressed excitement over the M21 Sniper Weapon System:
The baseball bat and “cleaver” improve minifig odds against the zombie horde:
The “Spy Carbine” and “Golden Gun” evoke the world of Ian Fleming’s James Bond:
See more in my BrickArms photoset on Flickr.
I know lots of you want to know when these are going to be released and whether these prototypes represent the final design. To save you some confusion, here’s the official word from the BrickArms spokesbadger:
- Cleaver – Prototype only. Design is finalized. Will eventually see mass production.
- Machete – Prototypes only. Two versions were distributed in a variety of colors: one with a lip on the handle and one without. The design is still being finalized. Will eventually see mass production.
- KA-BAR – Prototype and included in a special BA custom Commando fig. Existed in a variety of colors including trans-colors. Will eventually see mass production.
- Golden Gun – Prototypes only. Existed in a variety of colors including trans-colors. Unlikely to ever see mass production, but may be available beyond the Spy Contest prizes at some point in the future. Design is final.
- Spy Carbine – Prototypes and included with a special BA custom White Tuxedo Bond figure. Decision regarding mass production still in flux as is the design of the accessory.
- Needler-inspired accessory – Only included with a special BA custom Marine fig. Will never see mass production due to the complexity of the process to produce the item (multiple molds and over-injecting).
- Baseball Bat – Available for purchase in a variety of colors. Design is finalized. Will eventually see mass production.
- Lewis Gun – Prototypes only. Design still in flux. Will eventually see mass production.
- Brodie Helmet – Prototypes only. Design is final. Will eventually see mass production.
- MGL – Prototype only. Design still in flux. May or may not see mass production given certain design difficulties.
- M21 Sniper rifle – Prototype only. Design still in flux. May or may not see mass production.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:03 am
I can’t believe I lost my baggie full of BA prototypes.
;__;
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 am
Great photographs, Andrew! I assume the lack of review is because these are only prototypes, yes?
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 am
@Lukas: That really sucks. :-(
@obxcrew: Correct.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
A coustom marine fig to go with the needler, Hmm…………..
and they better make the m21! or ill be flaberghasted! >:( (firs one here to say flaberghasted.)
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Thanks for the great write-ups! I really had a great time handing out many of these prototypes to fans and friends of BrickArms at BrickWorld, and the feedback Will received on them really will help in terms of finalizing these designs as well as selecting what new items to design and produce.
Thanks again!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
whats MGL?
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I love that bat, very cool and simple.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I have a few BA figures (Mr Black) and think they are great. these new design look excellent. Do they have a UK rep yet?
July 6th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Tim: Yep, check out minifigforlife.com
October 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
[...] newly released M21 Sniper Rifle isn’t substantially different from the hand-molded prototype we previewed a few months ago, but it’s great to see the final version in [...]
October 12th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
[...] our earlier coverage and the Zombie Apocafest, readers should already be familiar with the Lewis gun and Combat [...]
January 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
start selling these prototypes cause they’re awesome