Screenused Xena Hero Metal Battle Sword Prop

Hi guys! Welcome again to this Xena blog, today I bring you a really special post that's making me feel so lucky. About a month ago, I've got in touch with a United Kingdom collector that was wondering to sell his Xena screenused retractable sword. After thinking about for a while, I've decided to buy the sword. I've never thought I was going to be able to get a screenused Xena Hero sword used by Lucy Lawless herself, I was pleased just to find a Creation Entertainment one.

However, the destiny let me find a screenused metal sword to add to my collection, some of my xenites friends told me that this piece is the most important one in my collection, about that I'm not sure but I know I really love it so much.

General view of the sword - Front.

Guard close-ups. Front and back.

General view of the sword - Back.

Clearly, the Xena screenused props are very popular but really hard to find one in good condition and with the COA available. It's a sword that is "one of a kind", I really never see before a retractable Xena metal sword on sale. I've seen screenused resin/foam Xena swords in particular collections of xenites, although are quite difficult to find any of them at all.

Close-up from the guard, you can see the raw paua shell inlay.

The history about this sword starts when the well-known collector Christi Clogston (owner of the blog xenastuff.blogspot.com) bought in the Xena Turners Auction from New Zealand in the year 2001. Later, the sword was auctioned in the Auxip Starship Auction on 21-27 March 2015 and sold, I believe, to the person that sold it to me finally.

The handle is wrapped in black leather, it's not painted resin.

My aim isnt just to show off the sword, I think mostly all collectors love to watch good quality photos of rare props and collected in their computers or phones and check them from time to time, just as I do, is like a virtual way of collecting props that can be useful for references, etc.

Here you can see the details of the real leather wrapped.

The COA says that was used in the latest season from the tv show, so I image it is from season 6, also the tone and shape of the guard and pommel remind me season 6 episodes.

The pommel is oval and is very detailed and the paua shell is in the top.

Another view of the guard.

About the blade, is maybe the most interesting part, in this case, because is retractable. As you know, I've got the centaur metal retractable sword and arent the same. This one can retracts and after the blade is inserted inside the sword when it's leaning on something, it has a "spring" mechanism that allows the blade to return to the initial positition. Very interesting, and I didn't know it till I got it on my hands.

The retractable blade close-up.

 Which episodes was used? Well, that's difficult to know exactly. Although, I've got in my mind two episodes that maybe was used because Xena sticks in the sword, and the camara capture that moment.

One, in the episode "Motherhood" from season 5 when Xena killed Athena, there's a close-up screencap that makes me think can be that instant.

 

 "Motherhood" episode, Xena kills Athena.

And two, when Xena stuck the sword to Mephistopheles in the "Haunting of Amphipolis" from season 6.

The close-up from the screencap from this episode match with the back part of the Xena sword.

Thank for visiting this blog and I hope that you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed writting it.

See you soon!

UPDATE! 30/07/20

Here are the original photos of the Auxip Starship Auction on 21-27 March 2015.

Awesome Callisto Skirt Replica

Hi guys! Today I bring you this authentic treasure from the propmaker Todds Coyle, in this case, is a Callisto leather skirt. First, I was a little skeptical when I bought it to a seller from UK because it's known that the quality of the lastest work from Todds Costumes isn't as good as it was years ago, but I had a good feeling about it. So, two weeks ago it arrived and I was really surprised about the good quality and detailing of the skirt and the dagger shealth. It is very well made to the detail, absolutly awesome. *I've put  the roman dagger on the dagger sheath from the skirt to see how it fits on it.

The snakes reliefs are my favourite part of the skirt, its of a kind of flexible polyurethane, I love it!

Xena FIN sacred katana

The Xena FIN sacred katana is one of the most iconic props of the series, this is an exact replica of the one used in the tv series made by the same propmasters. Every single detail is like the one seen on screen.

Centaur Metal Sword

After these difficult days when all the world was stopped because of the Covid-19, Ive got the chance to take some good photos of some of my favourite props.

These sword is an amazing prop. This kind of swords were used mostly by centaurs during the series, also seen in the episode "Death in chains" used by Toxeus (played by Chris Graham) to fight against Xena and kill his men. Im quite sure that this sword was used in that episode because we can see how Toxeus kill his men with it in some close-ups, thats why they used a retractable hero metal sword.

Also, I realized that the round emblem in the pommel was also used in Xenas whip, this kind of emblems were used in many props and costumes during the tv series.

Here you can admire the shinny blade of the retractable metal sword. Also, as you can see the grip is wrapped with real black leather all arround.

Screencap from the episode "Hooves and Harlots", the Centaurs against the amazons.

Some screencaps from the episode "Death in chains".

Gabrielle India Wardrobe as Shakti

When Studios USA sold off a lot of Xena costumes/properties on eBay, this beautiful costume was bought by a German dude that had it stored for many years, never was displayed before, since I bought it 3 months ago. It comes with the COA from "Studios USA" and "It's a Wrap".

This is a complete screenused wardrobe used by Gabrielle played by Renée O'Connor during the episode "Bewteen the lines" from season 4, Gabrielle went to the future to save Xena soul of her enemy, Alti.

The Gabrielle Shakti Outfit is complete, although it missing the golden turban and shoes. It contains the following items:

- Red Trouser: The trouser has a tag inside that is written "Gabrielle as Shakti", made out of red silk and gold details.

- Gold Wrap Top: In a beautiful gold tone this top is made of silk with the authentic tag from the costume.

- Gold Belt with hanging Bits: The belt is maybe one of the more impressive accesories from this costume, has plenty of details and the gold metal piece in the front is quite heavy.

- 2 x Upper Armbands & 2 x Gauntlets: The armbands and gaunlets are awesome, they are made from leather with a covering of gold fabric and adorned with metal trims, fake gold medallions and fake gemstones. Also, they are identify as Gabrielle (Renée O'Connor) accesories. Sometimes the costumes that were sold in the Turners Auction in New Zealand came with some double/stunt accesories, this one isnt that case, is everything from the co-starring from the tv series, Renne.

- Necklace: The necklace is completely made of metal and quite heavy.

- 2 x Earing: The earings are like the necklace made out of gold metal.

- Chain Bandelier: Its a metal chain with a gold rope arround.

*Note: The Shakti double armbands were sold on eBay the 24 nov 2014. They were separated from the double/stunt costume. No idea were they are right now. Ive found this photos from the auction.
The auction said: "Up for auction is a pair of gold jeweled armbands.  They are labelled "Shakti Double" (faint but readable) - (note: the letters have faded further barely readable now).  They measure 11" long, 1 1/2" wide.  They are made from leather with a covering of gold fabric and adorned with metal trims, fake gold medallions and fake gemstones.  They lace up with gold elastic cord.  They have been worn and are slightly damaged, but still a great piece of television history from a fabulous show. They come with a Scroll of Authenticity from Drummonds Antiques who held the original auction from New Zealand. They would be an excellent & unique addition to any collection.  They have not been displayed they were locked in my safe."

Front

Back

Here I share some screencaps from the episode "Bewteen the lines" where it seen the costume.