As promised…I have delved deep into the ‘Maggiani Archives’ and found all the photos I hope to post on the construction of the SD Studios M41-A Pulse Rifle.

These photos have never been posted before and I feel the ALIENS LEGACY board should be the first to have them available for all interested parties to enjoy.
I’m being repetitive here as the following part was included in my initial introduction but, I feel, bears repeating as it belongs as part of the introduction to our personal friend…the M41A Pulse rifle.

I had originally met Steve Dymszo through a mutual friend (Jimi Rooney-Black) who told me Steve had scratch-built a Pulse rifle. Well, I HAD to meet him and was VERY impressed with his work.

Originally, Steve was making it for Jimi but the cost began to get much higher than Jimi could afford.
I suspect Steve kept raising the price because he wanted to keep it (who wouldn’t) I later sold that one for Steve to a friend in Trenton , NJ whom I’ve since lost contact with.

Little does he suspect the rarity of that PR or the amount of money it would fetch today as an Original SD Studios prototype PR #001
The following photos of are of SDS PR PROTOTYPE No. #1

The upper part of the shroud was wood carved into shape then covered with Bondo and sanded to a smooth finish.

The Thompson receiver was also constructed based on available photos of the PR.

The magazine housing.

The front housing for the barrel (Top) and grenade launcher tube (bottom) mounted to a clear plexiglass rod that will become the barrel.

This is the Thompson receiver with a brass tube for the barrel and a shotgun assembly. I believe the grip was from an Airsoft gun modified for this build.

The front barrel shroud constructed of brass

Some misc parts including the ammo counter cover.

The finished Thompson receiver showing some wiring that activates the countdown display.

My best friend, Jimi Rooney on the day I first met Steve. Jimi would later on publish Hobby F/X magazine for which I wrote the article ALIENS FIREPOWER see link: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14729
Notice that the magazine being inserted is of an Airsoft UZI.

Here she is on the day I first saw her. This was taken at Steve’s Schwenksville home and was I impressed…Yes, to say the least. Every part was scratch-built from scratch by Steve. The only things store-bought were the screws, sling swivels and LED number display.



In the photo above you can also see a part of the MAC-10 SMG Steve also scratch-built from ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK on the top, a MAD MAX Airsoft shotgun below and just the tip of the muzzle of the Flame gun Steve constructed from LOGAN’S RUN.

The pulse rifle you see above eas the one sold to my friend, Barry. It was sold because I convinced Steve that I could assist him in making a better PR by obtaining some real Thompson and Spas-12 shotgun parts. At the time only a few parts were available to us such as the switches, Magazines, and other misc. parts. Steve had both the Upper and lower receiver as well as the shroud machined out of aluminum and scratch built the rest of the remaining parts.
Only 2 were made…Yes, I still have mine and it weighs a ton!!!

Part 2 will continue with photos of that we shall call SDS PR PROTOTYPE No. #2
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

very cool

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"I am the ULTIMATE BADASS , state of the badass art"
Alpha squad. Burton's Bandits

A great piece of history.
Thanks for sharing.

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Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons

That's awesome! Man, I was just happy to run around pretending my Lazer Tag rifle was a PR.

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

PART 2 - SDS PR PROTOTYPE NO. #2

Armed with more photo information and blueprints of the Thompson M1A1 SMG Steve started designing the second version of the Pulse rifle. This time it was going to be all metal. Thanks to the machine shop Steve was associated with they were able to turn out all the needed parts in aluminum.

I sourced all the various parts we could add to this version. At this time it was limited to trigger, selector switches, extractor, mag release and SPAS-12 cage. All small parts but they added that touch of authenticity that we were looking for in making an accurate pulse rifle.

As mentioned, Steve had both the Upper and lower receiver as well as the shroud machined out of aluminum and he then scratch built the remaining parts.

Well, we thought we were the ‘Ultimate Badasses’ as we were probably the only 2 fans on the planet to have Pulse Rifles with this level of authenticity. But…were we REALLY satisfied……for the moment


The mold made for the PR Grip

Resin poured into the mold. Notice the metal rod to allow the screw to mount into the receiver.


Finished castings of the grip.

Metal magazine shroud with plastic ammo counter frame.


Metal rod used for the barrel.

Both the PR and Shotgun barrels assembly.

Trigger assembly with connectors for counter display.

Machined aluminum barrel shrouds.

Machined shoulder stock

Raw machined Thompson lower receiver

Upper Thompson receiver with attached SPAS-12 cage



Upper and lower receiver with attached parts.

Partial assembly showing ½ of the aluminum shroud assembly.

Breakdown of parts.


PART 3 will continue with the ULTIMATE Pulse Rifle for the ULTIMATE Badasses!!!!
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

Ed what year was this again?? I just can't believe how accurate this all looks given the lack of documentation available. You guys really were in a league of your own.

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

Ed, I meant to say "welcome" a long time ago. This is just awesome. The retro feel to all of this while giving a true look at how things were in the "long long ago" is really awesome. I can't wait to see more

Im loving seeing these great slices of history. Please keep them coming!

This original project Prototype No. 1 was around 1988 while the prototype No. 2 was around 1989-1990.
The Prototype No. 2 was the one featured in the ALIENS FIREPOWER article I wrote in the Summer of 1991 in 'Hobby F/X' issue No. 1
See Link to read that article: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14729

You're right, there really was almost zero reference at the time. I had a Japanese program for Aliens that had a fairly clear photo of all the props but besides articles in magazines like 'Starlog' etc. there was a VERY limited amount of reference let alone photos of the real props.

Also, before the advent of the internet and the ability to do screen captures, we relied on freeze-framing the VHS tape as well as taking 35mm color photos with a camera off the screen. We had to sometimes wait a day or two for the film to be developed. Eventually, Laser Disc gave us much clearer images and good reference of the props.
I still have the hundreds of 4x7 color photos I took off my TV screen.
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

Thanks and not to worry...there's a LOT more coming!
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

I'm speechless! These pictures are too cool! Thanks for sharing them!

Before continuing on to PART 3 of this story I did a chart comparison so as to identify the various versions of the SD Studios Pulse Rifle.
As each of the rifles underwent changes and different re-paintings you’ll notice that the weathering changes as well.

Here is the chart showing the variations followed by misc photos of each:

NOTE: To view the large version of this jpg...click on it and it will open in a new window.
then click on the + magnifier at the lower right of the photo then repeat if necessary.
it will then open a huge photo that is easy readable.



PROTOTYPE 01-B




PROTOTYPE 01-C
The shots showing several Aliens related items were for an article I wrote for MODEL & TOY COLLECTOR
magazine No. 17 – (The Aliens Issue ) entitled ‘Toys for Big Boys’ it covered various props from several films.
If I find the article I’ll reprint it here as well.





























PROTOTYPE 02-A
Interestingly, as I collect practically everything under the sun, I already had the Savanna Bronica Lighter, The Night Raider
Knife and the Edison Toy Pop gun in my collection prior to the movie being released. It’s always cool to see a film and recognize
things used as items already in your possession.















PROTOTYPE 02-B














Hope you enjoyed these….will return with Part 3
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

Hi Ed,

Steve had told me there were two prototype No 2 aluminium shrouds made:-

"The shop made two aluminum shrouds. They took 90 hours to do both and they said they would never do them again. I THINK they were made around 1995 to 1996.."

I have one of them, do you still have the other or know where it ended up?.

THE HITCHER!!!!

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

Yes, I still have both the prototype No. 2 as well as the final version Pulse rifles in my collection.
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

Wow amazing pics!!
They're the same age as me too!

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AKA: Simon

Makes me feel old to think that photos I have are as old as another member...LOL
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

Thanks for the info Ed. Which one of the prototype No2's do I have - A or B?

This is a photo of it (taken around 2006) before it's refurbishment.

This is such a cool timeline

I'm pretty sure that's the 'B' due to the slimmer profile of the magazine shroud.
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

As I had previously mentioned…Steve and I are weapons enthusiasts so, admiring not only the Pulse rifle but the original Thompson M1A1 Submachine gun, it was my suggestion that we restore 2 of the demilitarized weapons back to their glory days. The weapon incorporated the same aluminum upper receiver as the PR so only the additional of the rear sight was different in this build.

As per Governmental regulations demilitarized weapons must be torch cut into 3 parts according to ATF regulations. In this case the top receiver portion was also missing.
As you can see, the entire weapon was coated with tons of cosmoline grease.

After a good cleaning of the metal parts and picking out the best of the wooden stocks, grips and forearms to be cleaned, sanded and re-stained…we had the great, great, grandfather of the USCM Pulse rifle.

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TheSpyBoys.com

Here are 8 of the Thompson receivers all cleaned off and ready for assembly.







Remington 870 shotgun after being deactivated and cut for insertion into SPAS-12 cage.









SPAS-12 Shotgun handguard before / after conversion



SPAS-12 with deactivated Remington 870 and converted SPAS-12 Handguard assembled.







Slide racked open and seen above is a resin M40 grenade given me by our very own Harry Harris.
This resin shell fed and cycled through the shotgun perfectly so the aluminum copies were based on the dimensions taken off this grenade.

















































































Castings of the magazine release.



Resin castings of the bottom of the magazine.



Resin castings of the grip.



Paper template to verify measurements of the shroud

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TheSpyBoys.com

It's like peeking inside the Pulse Rifle assembly line at the Armat factory... I love it!

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

Glad you guys are enjoying this. I think I'm wearing out my scanner!!!!
Ed

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TheSpyBoys.com

Second this!
Ready for another shift.

Only a few parts missing to build another one.

_________________
Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons