Rangefinder stalk oddity

[jedisushi]

Perhaps this has been discussed before – forgive me if so. This photo is from the Lucasfilm Archives, in a book published in 1994.

This helmet is noted as being from ESB, and I believe you can see the expected damage/crack on the left side (right side of the photo).



I’ve always wondered about the rangefinder stalk here. What is that extra part? Maybe it’s a piece of supporting metal that broke away at some point? It doesn’t seem like a feature any of us copy so I’m curious.

I bet someone here knows... ;-)

PS: Unrelated, but for someone reason this book has NO photos of any hats from the Indy movies, which always struck me as insane.

 

[chibobber]

Just a wild a** guess. Could it be a cover for the RF wires that has popped loose?

 

[BudaFett]

I believe you're looking at a Stunt helmet. In the Star Wars Costume book this same helmet appears with only the shorter stalk piece.

 

[ShortFuse]

Probably a support for the flimsy stunt stalk. Also, the Perspex block looks like it is made from insulation foam.

 

[jedisushi]

Right on, thanks guys.