what is this 'UNUSUAL PNEUMATIC BOLT ACTION AIR PISTOL' please? (auction lot)

[chieffool]

Adam Partridge Auctioneers - Jan 18/19: The Reginald J Cheetham Collection

QUESTION ... dearly beloved - forgive my ignorance,
but what is this at the forthcoming Adam Partridge sale jan 18/19 ?
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...7-a84a0116c9ba


- - - - -


I note there are Webleys and BSAs (and even the odd Bugelspanner and Bonehill) amongst the rifles,
and I even recognise the Lincoln Jeffries and I am sorely tempted Oh heavenly father:
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...f-a84a0116dd87

Forgive me, but for some unknown reason i also truly lust after this (and it doesn't even shoot!!!):
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-a84a01168999

- - - - -

But sadly, the only thing I WILL be bidding on is this - so HANDS OFF (please - its just a junker) - its a sentimental thing...
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...b-a84a0116b442

[Garvin]

[QUOTE=chieffool;7406777]Adam Partridge Auctioneers - Jan 18/19: The Reginald J Cheetham Collection

QUESTION ... dearly beloved - forgive my ignorance,
but what is this at the forthcoming Adam Partridge sale jan 18/19 ?
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...7-a84a0116c9ba


- - - - -

I think it's a Bedford Eureka.

[micky2]

[QUOTE=Garvin;7406805]

Adam Partridge Auctioneers - Jan 18/19: The Reginald J Cheetham Collection

QUESTION ... dearly beloved - forgive my ignorance,
but what is this at the forthcoming Adam Partridge sale jan 18/19 ?
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...7-a84a0116c9ba


- - - - -

I think it's a Bedford Eureka.

lt sure is a Bedford & Walker Danny, and there are a few variations of it.

[Mobiasstrip]

My tatty Pope as a comparison.

[ccdjg]

It is the first version Eureka, typified by its lack of trigger guard, and it is quite a bit rarer than the later Eurekas with trigger guard, which are more usually referred to as "Bedford and Walkers". This first version also has a more slender plunger rod than the others. Unfortunately in this version the knob missing from the plunger is not just a simple knob but also slides over the barrel, so it is a bit difficult to replace. Not impossible though, and well worth the hassle given the rarity of the pistol. The upper example shows a replacement slider that I made, and the lower example shows a pistol with its original slider.
I would happy to send you details .

PS: Can also help you with details for restoring that British Cub should you want them.

[chieffool]

It is the first version Eureka, typified by its lack of trigger guard, and it is quite a bit rarer than the later Eurekas with trigger guard, which are more usually referred to as "Bedford and Walkers". This first version also has a more slender plunger rod than the others. Unfortunately in this version the knob missing from the plunger is not just a simple knob but also slides over the barrel, so it is a bit difficult to replace. Not impossible though, and well worth the hassle given the rarity of the pistol. The upper example shows a replacement slider that I made, and the lower example shows a pistol with its original slider.
I would happy to send you details .

WOW. Seriously Impressive work.

I was thinking of possibly recreating as a casting in aluminium (based on other pics of the 'coarser' plunger ends i saw on another site), but now realise from your pics that this First version (without trigger guard) is more of a challenge. I like a challenge, but trying to work out how on earth you managed to make yours?

Haven't managed to 'win it' yet - though notice already bids coming in.
Grrrr (curses)

[chieffool]

[QUOTE=micky2;7406862]

lt sure is a Bedford & Walker Danny, and there are a few variations of it.

Just to clarify - it was 'me' (chieffool) that asked what it was...
...and it was 'Danny' (Garvin) who i think suggested the correct identity of Bedford Eureka

...wasn't it?

MY NEXT QUESTION (bearing in mind it seems obviously to be missing the 'bottom-bit-on-the-plunger-thingy-under-the-barrell') is, IF i end up buying this - has anyone got one they can send me various pics of so i can make the replacement part?

[chieffool]

[QUOTE=micky2;7406862]

lt sure is a Bedford & Walker Danny, and there are a few variations of it.

I've just had a 'full circle' moment - because while chatting through another thread:
http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....e-from-and-Why
SEE post #19

...I've just realised that the Bedford (Walker?) Eureka referred to in my original question at the start,
is the 'Eureka Air pistol' patented by Mr Henry Quackenbush June 6th, 1871.

I just find it so odd that Mr Q would choose to call his patent 'Eureka' - and all that word implies when applied to the concept of original thought.

Was this so radical?

[chieffool]

[QUOTE=chieffool;7413055]

I've just had a 'full circle' moment - because while chatting through another thread:
http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....e-from-and-Why
SEE post #19

...I've just realised that the Bedford (Walker?) Eureka referred to in my original question at the start,
is the 'Eureka Air pistol' patented by Mr Henry Quackenbush June 6th, 1871.

I just find it so odd that Mr Q would choose to call his patent 'Eureka' - and all that word implies when applied to the concept of original thought.

Was this so radical?

Wooooaah - steady boy: need to correct myself.
Just read one of the amazing JimmieDee articles on this:
http://www.jimmiedeesairguns.com/pis...nd-george-a-wa

Hopefully I've gor this right now, so i should say (more accurately) The Bedford Walker Eureka is a development from Mr Q's patent with (amongst other improvements) the introduction by Bedford of the earliest transfer port, as well as better trigger (double lever) and the pushrod working on a 'reversed' principle to the Quackenbush patent from 1871. And Mr Walker's input is the innovative 'bolt action breech' for airgun.[/INDENT]


Which leads me to my next question relating to the term EUREKA:

Quackenbush's patent is 1871.
The Bedford Walker patents appear c. 1876.

I'd originally thought Quackenbush derived the term "Eureka" as a name for his 1871 patent - perhaps representing an Archimedian exclamation...
...but now find from jimmieDee that EUREKA (as applied to the Bedford Walker designs from 1876 onwards) is also the NAME of the company Bedford established in 1867 called The Eureka Manufacturing Company. So the name now seems entirely logical.

Thank heavens there are people out there who have the time and commitment to find this stuff out.
I need a drink.... there is LOTs of lovely reading i need to do courtesy of Mr Dee.

[45flint]

Adam Partridge Auctioneers - Jan 18/19: The Reginald J Cheetham Collection

QUESTION ... dearly beloved - forgive my ignorance,
but what is this at the forthcoming Adam Partridge sale jan 18/19 ?
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...7-a84a0116c9ba


- - - - -


I note there are Webleys and BSAs (and even the odd Bugelspanner and Bonehill) amongst the rifles,
and I even recognise the Lincoln Jeffries and I am sorely tempted Oh heavenly father:
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...f-a84a0116dd87

Forgive me, but for some unknown reason i also truly lust after this (and it doesn't even shoot!!!):
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-a84a01168999

- - - - -

But sadly, the only thing I WILL be bidding on is this - so HANDS OFF (please - its just a junker) - its a sentimental thing...
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...b-a84a0116b442

Is it a Pope?

[chieffool]

Not a Pope (no bolt on a pope), and i think Garvin is correct: Bedford Eureka, but missing the spring and retainer end-piece for the 'charging plunger' under the barrel. Don't laugh at my description (as have no idea what the actual parts would be called) - but, let's be honest, even Buck Rogers would want one of these!

Or would it be more suitable for John Carter of Mars?

Meanwhile: hands off the broken Cub Gat mentioned above (pleeeease)! Surely none of you serious collectors are going to be interested in bidding. I mean, afterall - where's the original box!

[RichardH]

Its a Pope....

https://www.mediastorehouse.com/p/49...er-6241523.jpg

Edit ....

Chief's right its a Eureka.

http://www.muzzle.de/N7/Druckluft/Be...er_eureka.html