the enigma that is badger

Now available from BrickArms! M21 Sniper Rifle Baseball Bat Lee-Enfield Rifle Also available as part of the Zombie Defense Pack, the new BrickArms Combat Shotgun! And available as part of the World at War Weapons Pack and Covert Weapons Pack, the BrickArms Combat Knife! Both the Combat Shotgun and Combat Knife are produced by Will Chapman himself using home-cut molds and injected plastic. All are available for order now! badger

I'm almost afraid to ask for more detail on what you mean by the "whatever" category. "Boys" and "Girls" pretty much covers all the legal and social-acceptable options there are out there! Like many, the tight-quarters and coursework demands of college put me into a relative dark age. Still, I actually did have one or two smaller sets stashed away in my dorm room, and built a few things now than then as stress relief. While I have even less time now, my time management skills have increased, and I'm able to get in a few quality hours of building time each week. Unfortunately, it's almost all spent on testing of BrickArms prototypes and behind-the-scenes work with Will, so I can't share anything I work on right away! My significant other finds my hobby amusing and somewhat-childish but accepts it as something I enjoy doing. So long as I fulfill my other household responsibilities, she doesn't care that I spend some time, as she calls it, "playing LEGO." No, darling, that's beta-testing prototypes! badger

Thanks for the great review! Looks like UPS to Chicagoland is fairly consistent - based on the tracking #, mine should be waiting for me at home, too! badger

I'd wait a few days to start. You never know what news might come out of BrickCon . . . badger

The BrickArms website will reopen Oct 3. Just two days away! badger

Magic 8 Ball says, "Reply hazy. Ask again Oct 3" badger

There's actually a great page on the BrickArms website that describes how Will Chapman (designer of all the BrickArms custom accessories) produces these items, but unfortunately, the site is down for the moment while Will is making several much-needed updates. Simply stated - custom molds cut with precision instruments that are then injected with the same high-quality ABS plastic that LEGO uses for their products. This process allows Will to create durable, highly-detailed accessories that are the perfect compliment to your minifigs. Most of the items in this thread, however, are prototypes. While steel production molds for BrickArms are cut by Will's tooler, these items were made using aluminum molds cut in Will's garage by his own CNC machine! This allows Will to test designs for upcoming accessories to make sure they're up the very high standards Will has for his products. Will injects with home molds and sends out the prototypes to beta-testers (myself included) to try the designs out ourselves. Also, BrickArms fans who come to conventions where Will has a BrickArms booth also might be able to get one or two as a special treat for coming by. Hope that helps! When the site's back up, the FAQ page might make things a bit clearer! badger

I'm not sure what you mean as Will has never said he's working on such an item. Actually, I can confirm he isn't nor are there any plans for him to do so. Not to say Will's been resting on his laurels. Nope, look for big things to come both on the main BrickArms site and out of BrickCon! badger

When it's released, the Revolver will definitely be available in black. Actually, that item in silver might only be available as a "chase" accessory. badger

Thanks, but Will is more than able to handle all of his prototyping and limited-edition items himself. badger

I had heard this news as well, and it's certainly saddening. While I'm sure most of the newer figs in the set (Maiden and Witch) will find their way into future Castle sets, I would have preferred to pick up this great set! Methinks I'll be trading some exclusive and rare BrickArms items with someone in a few months! badger

Have I ever thought about producing anything? Nope, because I'm fairly sure Will has more custom accessory making talent in one of his toe nail clippings than I do in my entire person! Still, you really think folks would be happy with a bayoneted M1? While that might be a neat accessory, I honestly think Pirate fans are much more discriminating than that! Nope, if Will were to take the plunge into Pirate accessories, it'd be full-on Pirate items, no compromises! Just the kind of highly-detailed, accurate accessories folks expect from BrickArms! badger

Those are all great ideas! What I'd suggest you do is join the BrickArms Forums and start some threads for them! Actually, there's already a thread for the shamshir here. If that's an item you'd like to see, posting in that thread is the way to show your support for it! Yes, all of the prototypes that I and others posted were produced by Will in his garage using his home CNC machine and aluminum molds. Still, they're made of the same high-quality ABS plastic that production items are made of (not to mention TLC accessories!), and they're of nearly the same quality of production items! They're really a testament to Will's skill at tooling and injection. However, Will doesn't cast anything. All BrickArms accessories are made via injection to capture the high degree of detailing Will packs into every BrickArms accessory. badger

Actually, that accessory in oo7's picture IS a dao! Specifically, it's based on the dadao, a later version of dao that was used in the Ming and Qing dynasties and later. It's most famous for its use in WWII by Nationalist troops against the Japanese invaders. Supposedly, when the dadao and Japanese katana were matched against each other, the dadao proved the superior weapon. At least that's what the Chinese say! If you're looking to outfit Chinese pirates, the upcoming BrickArms Dadao would be an excellent choice! badger

Some images of what the SPAS-12 looks like if you remove the stock: "I'm Sarge, and I approve of this mod, you meatbags! It's perfect for pumping buckshot into people . . . and Griffs!" And a comparison shot of the Revolver prototype with the BrickArms S&W Magnum: Notice the revolver is slightly smaller, has a curved grip, and is much more old fashioned in appearance. It's perfect for classic Police and Western figs, not to mention a certain archaeologist! badger

Unfortunately, no. That piece was designed as a test for curved grips (an example of which can be seen on the M1917 Revolver prototoype) as well as how well Will could get the "double barrel" look with a single piece. While it is a nice piece, it's just not up to the level of accuracy and detail Will expects of a BrickArms item. Besides, while I know all the Pirate fans are hungry for period-accurate accessories, I doubt something that vaguely resembles an Pirate accessory is going to make anyone happy. Nope, I think only items specifically designed to compliment the Pirate line are going to do that . . . badger

One more great new prototype: the BrickArms SPAS-12 Shotgun! badger

Definitely the Lee-Enfield. As the rest, it's hard to say. Like I said, Will has a bunch of designs in the works right now, but they're coming together rapidly. Keep in mind that production of BrickArms items involves a good deal more than just designing the items, and delays can (and have) occur that are out of Will's control. Still, Will is certainly aware there's a strong demand for all of these items, and plans to have them available as soon as he can. The BrickArms Lee-Enfield is based on the classic MkIII model, and yes, the are plans to release the ammo clip as a separate accessory for purchase. Hope that answers your questions! badger

Will Chapman of BrickArms continues his designing spree! Here are several new BrickArms prototypes that have debuted at BrickFair: m1917 Revolver: Custom Two-Face fig by obxcrew Custom US WWII General by Will Chapman Gunblade Lee-Enfield Rifle and Ammo Clip Shown here included with the Limited Edition BrickArms Tommy minifig Comparison of the BrickArms Lee-Enfield and M1 Garand: Top: M1 Garand Bottom: Lee-Enfield Like all prototypes, these items are still in development, so the design and colors of the final production items many vary. As for when these will available on for purchase on the BrickArms site, I can't say, but I'll be sure and keep you all updated as best I can! I can also say these items represent only a fraction of what Will's been cooking up lately. so be prepared for more great news out of BrickArms in the future! badger

Well, aside from the obvious bandwagon effect of folks wanting to hope on the winning team, there's also an interesting phenomenon in social psychology that explains this as well: If you present a story without an ending to someone, then give them four different possible endings and are told to pick the one that's most likely to occur, people will pick each ending with equal probability. However, when told that one answer is what "really" happened, people will then overwhelming pick that option regardless of which of the four ending is said to be what "really occurred." Basically, the knowledge of how a situation really turned out colors how you you view the sequence of events that led up to it. Over the past few months, there have been numerous threads claiming that the return of certain parts in recent TLC sets, images in TLC media, and products at LEGOland parks meant Pirates where on the way. Now that we know for a fact Pirate sets are indeed in the TLC pipeline, it's hard to look back objectively at those "hints" without considering the new information that's come to light. Did the return of these items mean TLC was dusting off molds the company knew they'd be making use of in upcoming Pirate sets? Maybe. Then again, they could have also simply thought with an available accessory that worked well enough for the job (the TLC cutlass doubling for a rapier), why waste resources on a new mold? Without someone from inside TLC giving us info that yes, those parts were returned to active production in anticipation of the new Pirate line, we can do nothing but throw around idle speculation as to whether or not they really were clues Pirates were to make a return. badger

You can purchase all of BrickArms custom weapons and other great minifig accessories at this website. The BrickArms Lewis Gun, however, is still in development and currently is not available for sale. However, Will Chapman, the person who designs all of BrickArms' custom weapons, is currently hard at work finishing up this and several other designs (well, not just this moment as he's attending BrickFair right now ) , and as soon as it is available, I'll certainly post about it in this forum! badger

Funny, I think "A BrickArms item? No way! If Will were to design a grappling hook gun, it would look way cooler than that!" But seriously, Will does work exceptionally hard at maintaining the high level of quality and accuracy that people have come to expect from BrickArms. If you think fans are rough on the preliminary sets that leak from TLC, you should the shreds Will's beta-testers tear into a design that's not up to Will's usual standards! Great job on the fig by the way! Love the faux bouffant hair! badger

Thanks for the kind words regarding the M1 Garand! I can tell you Will's exceptionally proud of that particular item considering it was his first attempt at a rifle and he was concerned how well it would be received. So far, it's clearly a fan favorite! "Cool" hasn't been an adjective that could be applied to me since my mother thought a toddler looked great in a polo shirt, plaid pants, and saddle shoes. Arnold Palmer, eat your heart out! Still, I can't talk anymore about the item as it's still in development and I have no idea what Will's plans are in terms of displaying prototypes. I do know BrickFair is coming up very soon, and chances are at least a few new things will be on display and for sale there. As for Pirate items, like I said, we're all exceptionally excited about the return of Pirates and for the opportunities that line creates for custom items. The thread I linked to above has been a great resource in terms of what items Pirate fans most want to see, and I know Will really appreciated both the response and the constructive ideas. Will is actually still working on finalizing the line ups of several molds right now, and if there's an item or item you'd really, really like to see, post in that thread and let us know! badger

Indeed, that gun is a TLC part and not anything produced by BrickArms: Looks like it was only available in the old Hydronauts sets. badger

Naturally, that's what I'm here for! Still, to answer, I did have to tear myself away from a new design Will's been working on. It's something I think Pirate fans will find very exciting . . . badger