Directed-Energy Weapons
built for the principal cast of the TV series ANDROMEDA
Preface
Some images presented here originate from early digital photography, including material captured using a SONY Mavica system with limited resolution and storage constraints characteristic of the period. To improve clarity for contemporary viewing, selected images have been digitally enhanced. Where this has been applied, both the original and enhanced versions are presented for reference and are identified accordingly.
Overview
Props documented here were designed and fabricated for the television series Andromeda (2000–2005). These pieces represent a range of handheld directed-energy weapons developed to support various production requirements across multiple episodes.
This material is presented as part of PROPOLOGY’s archival record, reflecting prior work in custom prop development and contributing to an understanding of the design, construction, and on-set use of technology-based props for film and television production.
The Assignment
PROPOLOGY (Then known as MOLNAR MOTION PICTURE PROPS) was assigned the task of producing these weapons by ANDROMEDA Prop Master Don Buchanan in April of 2000. Due to severe budget constraints, only 1 weapon was produced for each of the 4 principal cast members during production of the series pilot.
Design Approach
Before we were assigned this project, the Prop Department had already purchased a number of plastic replica guns that were to service as the starting foundation of the ANDROMEDA weapons. The Art Department then provided us with some basic renderings of the modifications and additions required to obfuscate their original designs and create unique looking weapons for the ANDROMEDA series.
The visual language of these weapons was developed to balance futuristic aesthetics with practical considerations for episodic television production. Designs emphasize:
- modular construction
- recognizable ergonomic handling
- hybridized industrial and speculative forms
This approach allowed for rapid deployment, variation between units, and visual consistency within the broader production design.
Construction Overview
Units were fabricated using a combination of:
- modified commercial components
- machined and cast elements
Finishes were selected to withstand repeated handling while maintaining visual continuity under varying lighting conditions.
Where appropriate, props incorporated simulated functionality including:
- illuminated indicators
- trigger-actuated lighting sequences and pyrotechnics
- removable or modular components
These features supported actor interaction and enhanced on-screen believability without introducing operational complexity.
Late-stage changes—particularly the integration of pyrotechnic effects—introduced additional complexity without corresponding adjustments to schedule or budget. This necessitated pragmatic design decisions during fabrication and final assembly.
Becca's Pistol
AI Enhanced Image
This Becca's weapon at the time of its completion. Astute observers will see similarities to Deckard's sidearm from BLADERUNNER. This was due to the Prop Department's decision to utilize a commercially available replica kit of his iconic blaster as a starting point for the design.
AI Enhanced Image
This depicts the prop nearly completed. A small detail piece missing from underneath the barrel is yet to be installed.
Becca's pistol had a working "Discharge Indicator Display" that was integrated into both sides of the weapon. It consisted of 4-large, rectangular, red LED's grouped together approximately a 46 degree angle. When the trigger was pulled, the LED nearest the operator would illuminate—followed by the remaining 3—rapidly illuminating in sequence—then immediately extinguishing. Variations of this kind of feature were incorporated into all 4 Hero weapons.
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Screen cap of Becca with her sidearm
In addition to this, all o the ANDROMEDA hero weapons had the ability to sequentially fire squibs that were loaded into sockets, housed in each weapon's machined aluminum barrel. This was not part of the weapons original specifications and was added well into the build by Production. To accomplish this feature, each required an aluminum barrel assembly that could be rapidly opened to gain access to several pairs of small electrical sockets that accepted custom made squibs that incorporated matching pin connections. An electronic circuit was used to fire a single squib at a time with each trigger press—until all were expended.
Rubber Stunt Version
Original Image
A rubber casting—moulded from the hero weapon. It was produced at a later date by another vendor. It's now in the hands of a private collector. It exhibits a more saturated color scheme than the original version—an adjustment that was made to all of the principal cast's weapons during later Production.
Post Production Toy
AI Enhanced Image
Months after the weapons appeared on ANDROMEDA, we noticed that the a Becca action figure came out with a very tiny (and inaccurate) version of her pistol.
Becca's Sidearm Auctioned
Becca's Hero Pistol was listed and sold during the PROP STORE Live Auction of Film and Television Artifacts in October, 2014
Harper's Pistol
AI Enhanced Image
This is an image of Harper's pistol at completion. The resulting form diverged significantly from the design initially provided by the Art Department as the replica the Prop Department asked us to base it upon wasn't really a viable choice to work with.
Original SONY Mavica Image
This image depicts an early iteration of the weapon's major components that established its overall design. The pistol grip/upper frame was a section cut from a plastic replica Steyr AUG bullpup assault rifle.
AI Enhanced Image
Shown near completion.
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
This image depicts the pyrotechnic squib-firing and LED sequencing circuit.
Original SONY Mavica Image
Battery compartment detail. Each weapon had its own carrying case incorporating custom foam inserts like the one shown here.
ANDROMEDA Production Still
Tyr's Pistol
Original SONY Mavica Image
This is Tyr's pistol at completion.
Original SONY Mavica Image
The pistol's primary components. These items are also incorporated into Tyr's assault weapon.
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Tyr's Over-Under Assault Weapon
The most elaborate was Try's "Over-Under" assault rifle. It's depicted here in the hands of an ANDROMEDA Prop Department staffer at time of delivery (around May 24, 2000).
Major Components
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
Completed Weapon
Completed Assault Weapon (AI Enhanced)
Other than the color inconsistencies, this is a largely an accurate representation.
Completed Assault Weapon (AI Enhanced)
Here too the color is off. More importantly, the silver dial is lacking the radial groves of the original prop. In addition, the 2, round detail pieces positioned together at the center of the weapon are not accurately rendered.
Note: The components used for this detail were actually the end caps from silver Mini-Mag flashlights
Original SONY Mavica Image
Original SONY Mavica Image
The poor quality of the original archive photos is due to the primitive digital camera that was used. Our then "futuristic" SONY Mavica, only possessed 2 MP sensor and recorded images to 3" floppy diskettes.
As seen every week in the seasons 1 and 2 opening title sequences.
Post Production Images
Today this prop is in the hands of a private collector "Sandman779" who posted this image on "Your Props". (Note the larger "power pack" added later during production.)
AI Enhanced Image
Original Image
Here's how they look today— in the hands of a collector on the YOUR PROPS forum under the name "rkpetersen".
Discharge Cycle Display and Control Dial.
Barrel and Foregrip.
Here's the pistol as it appears today. As he astutely points out on his webpage: "…if you look at the rifle you'll see they used two hero working prop pistols to create the rifle body and handle…". This is correct. Our thinking at the time is that it would be interesting to portray Tyr's weapons as part of an integrated system with many field-swappable/interchangeable components—hence the integration of pistol components into the assault rifle design.
Note: the round cap in the centre of the dial was originally painted light-bronze. The metallic blue and gray aspects have also been repainted to darker versions of the orignal colors.
Other Weapons Provided
This is a selection of other directed-energy weapons produced by us that ANDROMEDA rented n during production of the series. These were actually originally built for other productions, but would be called upon from time to time.
Archival Context
The work presented here reflects prior custom fabrication carried out in support of television production. While PROPOLOGY no longer offers fabrication services, this archive documents the experience and technical foundation informing the current rental inventory.
Current Offering
PROPOLOGY provides a curated inventory of technology and electronic props for film and television production, including vintage, contemporary, and speculative designs suitable for a wide range of production needs.