Hy-Score Sporter - UK model

[DavidC]

Hello all. I'm new to the forum, though not to airguns which I have been shooting for over 50 years, and starting with a question.

Is there any collector interest in the UK produced Hy-Score Sporter air pistol?

I have been sorting through my boxes in preparation for a house move and came across an air pistol I had forgotten about. I originally bought an early model Hy-Score from Pheonix Arms in late 1989 or early 1990 with the intention of reviewing it, back when I was writing for Survival Weaponry And Techniques magazine. The pistol I bought had problems and I exchanged phone calls and letters (which I still have) with Mr R L Marriott-Smith of Pheonix Arms regarding the pistols, with the intention of giving Pheonix an opportunity to comment on my findings before submitting my review for publication.

During this time various changes were made to the pistol, they sent me newer models which I also tested, but they still weren't right and eventually the article was submitted and published in August 1990. Pheonix continued to work on the pistols and produced several variants and accessories. I returned the pistols I had and after a considerable wait, due partly to the formation of the Hy-Score Arms Company Ltd as an independent entity from Pheonix, exchanged mail (also available) with Trevor Skelly of Hy-Score Arms Co Ltd and received a new boxed pistol set from their latest production batch. This pistol was much better, with many of the previous faults rectified and featuring a Weirauch rear sight, though this was due to be replaced by one of Hy-Score's own on later models. Many of these changes are discussed in the letters and might provide some historical insight, if there are indeed any collectors of these pistols. I can also photocopy my SWAT review if that is of interest.

The pistol and all the accessories are in the case and unmarked, though the pistol is not strictly speaking 'mint' as I did fire some pellets through both the .177 and .22 barrels to test the pistol when it first arrived. There is also a thin leather holster with external pocket for the silencer/cocking aid.

I would have included pictures but I don't have permission to do so, I would guess because I am new to the board.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for replying if you do so. I look forward to exploring and joining in with other conversations on the board.

[bighit]

hi there . i went into country life on gorgie road in edinburgh to buy a hy score pistol that had both barrels and the cocking aid . in the end i walked away from the shop with a hw45 which cost at least £100 pounds more at £175 at that time . still wanted the hy score though . not too sure why i rejected it . maybe the hw45 looked more like a centre fire handgun ( i had a air arms hi power at the time so maybe it was the military phase lol) .

the hy score did and still does look great . should have bought them both .


was this one i nearly bought http://www.network54.com/Forum/40594...y-Score+pistol


also i used to buy Survival Weaponary And Techniques magazine before they dropped the Weaponary bit

[Garvin]

Welcome to the BBS David. That's an interesting story you've told and I expect there is someone out there who will be curious to know the twists and turns taken in developing the British Hy-Score. I haven't actually heard of a collector who specialises in Britsh Hy-Scores or in Sussex Armoury/Phoenix etc but it wouldn't surprise me if there was one or more out there!

I'm not sure if you're hoping for a valuation of the pistol and related correspondence with a view to a sale? (If so you will need to make sure that any sales thread is posted separately, since BBS rules are that you can't sell off a valuation thread.)

I suggest you join one of the free picture hosting sites (Photobucket is one) and then you can post links to the pics in your posts. Alternatively various members would be willing to host the pics for you (in fact if you want to email them to the address in my profile, I will do it for you).

[Jerry Cornelius]

I am sure there would be interest in this, though probably not "riches beyond the dreams of man" !

In deference to board rules and as its not a valuation thread I won't go any further

[fat man]

I have a couple of the Hyscores myself, including the multishoot. I like them, think its the quirky loading system, ok not the most accurate but they are the one spring pistol to be made in the US. that was a success. Made from late 40,s to the 70,s there. They were also sold here by Bsa in the 60,s. Give me a pm and I will see what info I can dig out for you. atb

[johnbaz]

Hi


My brother in law has a Hyscore pistol, I can recall him showing me how it was cocked/loaded but I can't for the life of me remember how it was done (senility galloping on i'm afraid )

I may just pay a visit and see if he wants to sell it, along with the two mk4 Dianas that he has

His Hyscore is the type with the thin barrel that doesn't take a silencer (not sure if that's or US spec)..


John

[DavidC]

Hello all. Thank you for the welcome and for the offers of help.

Big Hit, I think the one in the photograph you linked to is probably an import from the US. All the ones I had, and the one I now have, were made (or assembled, as I know at least some parts from US stock were used at first) in the UK and featured the flat-sided barrel shroud that is an extension of the main body, rather than the rather stylish thinner barrel of the US version. The one I have now doesn't have the stamped scroll design on the sides, though IRC the original one did. That first pistol I bought came in a cardboard tray with a card sleeve but I don't think the sleeve design was the same as on that box. Unfortunately there was no packing or shaping in the tray so the pistol and accessories just rattled around in there and the bluing on the pistol inevitably got scratched. If I remember correctly that pistol was about £75 but when the later plastic cased version came out it was £95. It's good to hear of a SWAT reader, I wrote quite a few articles and reviews for them over the years. The name eventually changed to Survival And Outdoor Techniques - a politically-correct decision based on adverse publicity, akin I suspect to Survialism being rebranded as Bushcraft, rather than the interests of the readers.

Garvin, thank you for your welcome. I was really more interested to know if there was any collector interest, rather than looking for a value (I assumed I would have to do a web search for that, but that was before I started exploring this board and discovered how much experience and knowledge there is available here!) but certainly I would appreciate an estimate of current value. If anyone wants to buy the pistol and associated documents they can always pm me or I can put another post in the sales area. I went to your profile to look for an email address to send you the pics but though I found a link for a pm I didn't see one for email.

Jerry I wasn't expecting a sale of this to pay for a new 4x4, though it's a nice thought!

FM, I'll pm you after I have finished this. Thank you. I'd heard about the multi-shot adapter and I've seen pictures but I didn't know if they were available here. I remember that Hy-Score in the UK were going to release several versions and accessories, including a chromed model, and optical and laser sights, but I don't know if that ever happened. Although I was writing for SWAT I was still in the forces at the time and shortly after the article appeared in the magazine I went to the gulf in preparation for GW1 so I was out of touch for a few months.

Thank you all for your replies

[DavidC]

John, To cock the pistol push forward the button on the right side just above the trigger, that releases the upper part of the body which you then pull up and forward, rather like cocking a Webley Premier air pistol. To load, rotate the knob at the back of the pistol about a quarter turn. That opens the breech. After you have loaded a pellet, turn the knob back and you will see the shutter slide into place behind the pellet. Ensure it is fully closed before firing. I hope that helps

[Garvin]

Garvin, thank you for your welcome. I was really more interested to know if there was any collector interest, rather than looking for a value (I assumed I would have to do a web search for that, but that was before I started exploring this board and discovered how much experience and knowledge there is available here!) but certainly I would appreciate an estimate of current value. If anyone wants to buy the pistol and associated documents they can always pm me or I can put another post in the sales area. I went to your profile to look for an email address to send you the pics but though I found a link for a pm I didn't see one for email.

Hi David my email address is definitely there. Maybe it's only visible to people who have reached a certain number of posts, I don't know. I've PMd you my addy anyway. Inviting offers for an item in place of posting a proper sales thread is frowned up, I'm afraid.

[Josie & John]

Hello all. Thank you for the welcome and for the offers of help.

Big Hit, I think the one in the photograph you linked to is probably an import from the US. All the ones I had, and the one I now have, were made (or assembled, as I know at least some parts from US stock were used at first) in the UK and featured the flat-sided barrel shroud that is an extension of the main body, rather than the rather stylish thinner barrel of the US version. The one I have now doesn't have the stamped scroll design on the sides, though IRC the original one did. That first pistol I bought came in a cardboard tray with a card sleeve but I don't think the sleeve design was the same as on that box. Unfortunately there was no packing or shaping in the tray so the pistol and accessories just rattled around in there and the bluing on the pistol inevitably got scratched. If I remember correctly that pistol was about £75 but when the later plastic cased version came out it was £95. It's good to hear of a SWAT reader, I wrote quite a few articles and reviews for them over the years. The name eventually changed to Survival And Outdoor Techniques - a politically-correct decision based on adverse publicity, akin I suspect to Survialism being rebranded as Bushcraft, rather than the interests of the readers.

Garvin, thank you for your welcome. I was really more interested to know if there was any collector interest, rather than looking for a value (I assumed I would have to do a web search for that, but that was before I started exploring this board and discovered how much experience and knowledge there is available here!) but certainly I would appreciate an estimate of current value. If anyone wants to buy the pistol and associated documents they can always pm me or I can put another post in the sales area. I went to your profile to look for an email address to send you the pics but though I found a link for a pm I didn't see one for email.

Jerry I wasn't expecting a sale of this to pay for a new 4x4, though it's a nice thought!

FM, I'll pm you after I have finished this. Thank you. I'd heard about the multi-shot adapter and I've seen pictures but I didn't know if they were available here. I remember that Hy-Score in the UK were going to release several versions and accessories, including a chromed model, and optical and laser sights, but I don't know if that ever happened. Although I was writing for SWAT I was still in the forces at the time and shortly after the article appeared in the magazine I went to the gulf in preparation for GW1 so I was out of touch for a few months.

Thank you all for your replies

Hi David,
The chrome plated "UK" Hyscore was made in very small numbers. I had one for a little while but sold it when I realised I could not see the sights when there was the tiniest hint of sun. There are several variants of the "UK" Hyscore to collect and there is substantial interest in the pistols as they were only made for a short period of time. Your holster sounds interesting as that is the only accessory I have not been able to find, not that I ever made a conscious effort to collect Hyscores. They sort of kept coming my way!

All the very best. I still have the first few issues of SWAT and recall a young Pete Moore testing some interesting black powder arms, which made for an interesting review. Must have been if I remember it almost 30 years on!

If you are able, I'd love to see photos of the holster at some stage.

All the very best,
John

[johnbaz]

John, To cock the pistol push forward the button on the right side just above the trigger, that releases the upper part of the body which you then pull up and forward, rather like cocking a Webley Premier air pistol. To load, rotate the knob at the back of the pistol about a quarter turn. That opens the breech. After you have loaded a pellet, turn the knob back and you will see the shutter slide into place behind the pellet. Ensure it is fully closed before firing. I hope that helps

Ahhhh!!

Thanks David, ir does sound familiar


Regards, John

[magicesperanto]

Hi David my email address is definitely there. Maybe it's only visible to people who have reached a certain number of posts, I don't know. I've PMd you my addy anyway. Inviting offers for an item in place of posting a proper sales thread is frowned up, I'm afraid.

Garvin, not visible to me either, something in your settings perhaps?

When I click to email you, I get:

"Sorry, this user has chosen a privacy option that prevents you from viewing this information."

[magicesperanto]

What sort of power do they give?

[Garvin]

Garvin, not visible to me either, something in your settings perhaps?

When I click to email you, I get:

"Sorry, this user has chosen a privacy option that prevents you from viewing this information."

Thanks for that, magicesperanto. I have tweaked my settings and hopefully sorted it.

[DavidC]

>>Inviting offers for an item in place of posting a proper sales thread is frowned up, I'm afraid. <<

Sorry about that. Newbie error!