Chances are they simply have no back-story, had a load kicking about in the props room and said "Here, stick a couple of these on your belt. They look futuristic"

While that probably actually is the truth, thats no fun!

lol...I don't think I'm going to get one, unless I find one priced to what it's actually worth.

personally its one of the things about the film and the marines that i love, its the same as the brackets on the armour, no one really knows the purpose but they are there, just a little detail that enhances the look and effect but bears no relevance to the story so isnt mentioned, it just adds to the richness and the depth.

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Pt. Graham "gunny" Green
A07/TQ2.0.12129E1
UKCM 501st Regt. 1st Batt. The Bucketheads

That's JC for ya
I bet he had an idea for them in his head.

Maybe they are water purifiers, after all they had no canteens on the belts.

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AKA: Simon

How much would you pay for a device that does all of the above? 500.00? 1000.00? Not even close.

For a limited time you too can have one of these amazing devices for the low low price of 19.95, and if you act within the next 10 minutes we will throw in another thing a ma jig for free. Just pay processing.

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What ever tape you found in that VCR isn't mine.

Interesting point! Do we have a JC sketch for the back of the Marines? We've all seen his front view of the armour, but I wonder if there's another kicking around. I'd assumed the brackets were Terry English's idea, but pretty much every other detail of the armour conforms to Cameron's sketch, so why would the back be any different?

My hat is off to the ingenuity of this forum by the way. There are some fantastic ideas mentioned here for what the pop gun is supposed to be. Maybe Stapleton13 is right: it does all of the above!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

But does it make Julienne fries?

It's true purpose is probably something really mundane...like it's used as a wheel block for APC's.
Or it keeps doors wedged open.

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Man, I had a bunch of these when I was younger! Mine were yellow and red. I used to chew on the rubber bullets....

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viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12784
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12917

I was looking at it, and was reminded of a prop they had in star trek that was a marshmallow dispenser. lol!!!

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What ever tape you found in that VCR isn't mine.

Camp fire scene in Star Trek 5! Totally!

"Let's make a fire, sing some songs." -Carter Burke

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Guys - what was the tool supposed to be? We're they actually the toys just painted?

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A02/TQ2.0.52141E1

"Errr... Roger that's a 2-1-6..."

Could have been designed to shoot little yellow rubber bullets. lol I Doubt we will ever know, but we can all be sure that you can't live without one.

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What ever tape you found in that VCR isn't mine.

What it was 'meant to be' is the mystery much of what pages 2-3 of this thread neatly summarized! Unless you mean literally "why are you guys excited about this", in which case its a legit "found prop". Look on the belts of nearly every marine. One to three of these things are on there.

But yeah...its just the toy (front arm removed) painted and tucked in a belt. Now that those are sold out, they are probably back to being pretty rare.

Someone somewhere must have the ability to make these (I am thinking a company in China) for dirt cheap. You would think they would make the rounds more often in dollar stores.

Coming in late on this, but since it is virtually the same base item used for the smart gun batteries, the USCM Tech Manual mentions chargers for the pulse rifles, and that most of the Marines armed with pulse rifles had them clipped to the front of their web belts within easy reach, I'm inclined to go with pulse rifle charger. That said, it could be a universal charging unit that would also work for the portable welder, etc. Just my ¥.02 worth.

BTW: I painted mine BB, and I'm pretty certain they were BB in the movie. But it's really only a matter of personal preference.

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

That does jive with the fact Ski had a flame thrower and didnt carry any. Dietrich (2 'tools') and Frost (3) would appear at first glance to be outliers, but Dietrich would need something as a backup on her medkit. Frost could easily just be a boyscout (always be prepared). The shared foundation of smart gun batteries which 100% were power supplies simply cannot be ignored...hmmm... I may have a new #1 seed for what I personally believe! I agree.

Just edged out my new favorite theory of water purifiers (or purifying agent dispenser). The lack of canteens still has me open to that option though. But yeah, now I am back on the 'all purpose battery' bandwagon.

Sorry guys... I've been a pillock of late and have posted before realising there are additional pages to a thread. I'm all for detail and getting it right and I applaud the ingenuity and attention to detail you guys pursue... I like detail... I can't stand "that'll do". So well done...

As a previous poster noted... There are 'details' in the movie that are never expanded upon... Like the brackets on the armour and these tools... Nice deep detail... It makes us use our imaginations... And it fuels debate after debate on the forum... What a legacy the concepts created...

As an experienced 'stitch counter' for WW2 British gear and having ICD for detail, I would NEVER ask or question why you guys get excited about a piece of detail... Crack on!

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A02/TQ2.0.52141E1

"Errr... Roger that's a 2-1-6..."

And I like the theory about spare Smart Gun charges... Like present day... Everyone carries ammo for the squad support weapons...

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A02/TQ2.0.52141E1

"Errr... Roger that's a 2-1-6..."

Always reminded me of the Biofoam container from Halo.

Basically it is a quick fix in the field for any kind of open wound, fills the area and stops the bleeding.

Now THAT /\ is a great idea!.

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Why not? They have stuff like quickclot now...

There is something to be said for having the two props built from the same found object have a shared purpose. It makes it feel less arbitrary.



Oh, I'm absolutely certain it was BB in the film, I just think BB looks like hot mess. I'd still troop next to you though!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

i love BB i have 4 original tins!!

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Pt. Graham "gunny" Green
A07/TQ2.0.12129E1
UKCM 501st Regt. 1st Batt. The Bucketheads

mine came in yesterday and i luv it. i want to keep it as a toy but will be making another belt tool just not sure do i want black like my Spat one, or go with BB.

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SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer