Help valuing a Thunderbolt Junior pistol

[Zummerset]

Hi.
I've owned this for roughly 10 years, never shot it as I have no idea how it works, is in very good condition and comes in a leather holster, am thinking of selling it and wondering what value it might be?

http://s349.photobucket.com/user/Zum...xasgg.jpg.html

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...psta7fj4sh.jpg

[Mark D]

A scarce air pistol - circa 7000 made, looks in vgc and the grips look complete. £230 - £270 assuming it cocks.

How did you own it so long and never have a play with it

[Zummerset]

I can't work out how to cock it and don't want to damage it.

[gingernut]

I guess you pull the trigger guard down.
Nice little pistol.
Bet it doesn't shoot like a Thunderbolt

[micky2]

Hi l sold one in 2009 that was in poor condition and with replacement wooden grips in working order for £40. and sold another one in 2013 for £95 but it had repro grips and was not in as good as condition as your one, but it was in working order. so if your's is in working order l would say around £160+. hope this helps.

[Zummerset]

Ok I've worked it out, yes it cocks and fires

[Abasmajor]

The 'Thunderbolt Junior' (Frank Clarke) fits between the larger Accles and Shelvoke 'Acvoke' and smaller 'Tell 2' upon which the larger designs were based.

There was a much rarer version of this pistol called the 'Big Chief' which is much harder to find and may have been an export only item as I have only heard of examples appearing in New Zealand.

The holster looks like an original which would have been made for the Webley Mk6 revolver and should be worth £30-£40 by itself.

Quite a rare pistol and looks to be in good original condition, so I would estimate £140 - £160 would be realistic for a private sale.

Hope this helps.

Brian

[Zummerset]

Thank you

[Jerry Cornelius]

I would have thought north of £200 myself.

Unless you particularly want to get shot in a job lot if the holster is an original I would definitely sell the holster separately: as has been said it does not go with the pistol and I don't think it will add much to the value of the pistol alone.

[Zummerset]

Thank you Jerry.

[Abasmajor]

Hi,

I paid £30 for this holster in similar condition to yours at an Arms Fair which came up really nicely after a bit of polishing and compliments well the Webley Mk6 CO2 revolver it now covers. Webley do offer a reproduction holster for this pistol which costs more and isn't nearly as well made as these WW1 period originals. I would definitely sell the holster separately as it should appeal to owners of that particular pistol.

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/...psatjm8jgv.jpg

Out of interest, I picked up this 'Thunderbolt Junior' from the same Arms Fair for £140 a few years ago.

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9447772d.jpg

Good luck with the sale should you decide to move the items on.

Brian

[Benelli B76]

If they are an oversized version of the Tell 2 should be a surprising little performer. Probably the only pistol at the moment that I would like to join my collection. I have one Tell 2 to move on at the moment that only needs the tip of the hook repairing when I can get the MIG going.

Baz

[Jimny4x4]

Cannot help reference a very informative article in the last Airgun Hobbyist mag - by T Adams its all about the Produsit line .
I only thought there was a Thunderbolt Junior but there are more as mentioned there and on this thread .
Being concentric the Thunderbolt is pokier than it looks .
Years ago these were fetching high money especially if boxed . Now they still draw interest and for what they are do cost a substantial amount of wonga .

[Abasmajor]

Cannot help reference a very informative article in the last Airgun Hobbyist mag - by T Adams its all about the Produsit line .
I only thought there was a Thunderbolt Junior but there are more as mentioned there and on this thread .
Being concentric the Thunderbolt is pokier than it looks .
Years ago these were fetching high money especially if boxed . Now they still draw interest and for what they are do cost a substantial amount of wonga .

A bit off post, but here is another link to illustrate the similarity between the 'Thunderbolt Junior' 'Acvoke' & 'Tell 2' air pistols.

http://www.classicapa.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=568

Brian

[Zummerset]

Thank you for everyone's help.