Somewhere it the "Star Trek" universe, an infinitely expendable red shirted security officer is missing his trusty phaser. That's due to the fact that auction company Propworx now has it...and will be putting it up for sale to the highest bidder. The prop weapon traces back to the original "Star Trek," making it quite the collector's item. CNET (via Propworx) says the space weapon is "one of only two such examples that is known to have survived from the '60s."
The fiberglass phaser has a captivating history, it seems. It was a prop in the 1968 TOS episode "Assignment: Earth," used in an early scene when a mysterious stranger beams aboard the Enterprise...as they are wont to do. The phaser even had its own close-up while in the hands of security officer in the Transporter Room.
According to CNET, a distinctive scratch, a paint blemish and the geometry of the nozzle all helped to ID the prop as the real deal. The auction house expects that the same prop was also used in later episodes, although that's much harder to prove.
Hardcore "Trek" fans will get extra-excited about what was found in the Velcro patch on the weapon: Strands of red, gold, and blue tunic fabrics are still embedded in the sticky substance.
The phaser is estimated to sell in the $40,000 and $60,000 range...kind of pricey for what amounts to a cool toy gun. Propworx is accepting early online bids now, and the live bidding will begin on February 21. Start saving those pennies now, Trekkies...
