This is my DT (two piece double telescoping) lightsaber Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi that I got in 2003. It is one of only about 12 or fewer remaining in the world. These were only released on a very few cards before Kenner switched to the single telescoping one piece lightsabers. Extremely limited numbers of the blue DT lightsaber Obi-Wan Kenobis and red DT lightsaber Darth Vaders were released, and I have been told that no more than two of each remain on the card. All others are loose, and many of those are bent, cracked, broken, or one of the two pieces is missing. There is information about all three DT sabers on the Star Wars Collector’s Archive. Most DT sabers are yellow, because of all the DT Lukes that came out in the Early Bird kits. However, some blue and red ones were made and released on the first 12 back cards in the first release in early 78. Then Kenner changed to the one piece saber for all three figures, as they were more cost effective, and much easier to make. Hence why the blue and red ones are so very rare. Most of the released ones were lost, thrown away, or broken. After over 25 years, only about 12 blue ones are known to still exist. For whatever reason there are half as many blue DT sabers than red ones. The red and blue ones were most likely manufactured and released in the same numbers, but more of the blue ones were lost, destroyed, or damaged, leaving only around a dozen blue DT sabers remaining. This particular one sat in the original owner’s black vinyl Star Wars figure carrying case with his other figures for over 15 years. It’s in excellent condition and has no signs of wear or damage, because the original owner played so carefully with it, and because it was stored in the carrying case for so many years. There is a letter from the original owner here, telling its history. I had pretty much given up on finding one, since they are so rare and sought after. I passed up a couple that had some damage, hoping I might find a C-9+ one. It doesn’t have any cracks, bends, or discoloring at all, thanks to being in a dark enclosed carrying case for so many years. These are also being faked, in mass numbers, but the fakes are not too hard to identify. I bought this one from a collector friend of mine Jason, in early March of 2003. In August of 2001, he had it authenticated by Tom Derby of Cloud City Collectibles. He’s considered the best expert on vintage DT lightsabers, and authenticated this DT Ben at Celebration II in 2002. To see the certificate of authenticity signed by Tom Derby, click here. I have blotted out the signatures on the computer to protect them from forgeries. I’d suggest not buying a blue or red DT lightsaber until you have had it verified by someone very well known and reliable, like Tom Derby. There are very good fakes out there so be extremely careful.
In addition to the two piece double telescoping Ben and Vader blue and red lightsabers that were released on the cards in very small numbers, there is an even rarer example of the two piece double telescoping lightsabers. They are called mushroom tip double telescoping lightsabers. They are also definitely prototypes and never released. These are first shots, which are early hand painted prototypes. The figures are made of a resin material, and even the coats are hand cut from different material, which is most obvious in the Ben coat. Both figures are also hand painted, also most obvious in the Ben. These figures are really amazing pieces, and it’s only by chance that they were not destroyed at Kenner, like so many other early pieces of this kind. They have a clearly visible mushroom tip on them which kept them from sliding out the back of the hollow piece. Only one of the mushroom tip DT saber Bens is known to exist. There are two of the mushroom tip DT saber Vaders known of. These two, pictured here, belong to a good friend of mine who purchased them from Justin Kerns in 2007. So it’s thanks to him that I can display this picture of them. He had the Ben years before, but traded it for other items. Now finally he has the Ben back and the Vader. They’re really excellent pieces, and likely the first molded examples of vintage Ben and Vader figures. And with the Ben especially, it is a truly one of a kind item in all the world. That makes it even more incredible and valuable. They really add a lot to the fascinating quality and over all fun of the vintage double telescoping sabers. Enjoy the picture.
