The standard-issue Colonial sidearm (introduced in the Miniseries) is according to Ron Moore's commentary an exact replica of the (fictional) sidearm used in the movie Blade Runner. The standard service handgun used by the Colonial forces appears to be a modernized version of the LeMat revolver of the US Civil War, with a revolver-like pistol grip and a large barrel beneath the primary barrel. From closer examination of the handgun, it appears that the handgun used in the Miniseries and Season 1 was built around a Smith & Wesson K-Frame or L-Frame revolver. This sidearm is nicknamed the "Colonial Clamshell" by a propmaster in David Eick's 18th video blog.
This replica is a clamshell design fitted around an airsoft revolver. The grips faux wood grain and made from resin. The maker of this replica would coat the molds with powdered aluminum to give them a realistic metallic look. It's painted in screen accurate colors and has been weathered to look slightly used. It features a working trigger, moveable metal switches and dummy rounds in the rotating cylinder.
By Matsuo.
