Fake Factory Models

[Hsing-ee]

Has anyone come across a fake of a non-existent factory model? Something that has been crafted to look like a factory job but isn't?

Like if someone got hold of a BSA Meteor Cadet and made a faux SLR (FN FAL) trainer out of it, like the Rossi Sport 82 or EB79, and then claimed that it came out of BSA but as it was not commercially available there was no mention in the Press about it, and only a few were made and were rejected by the MoD. So no paper trail and 'it's worth £1500'.

Well, did it happen?

[Geezer]

The nearest I can remember recently was the infamous idiot on Freeads seemingly mating a BSA Buccaneer barrel to a Scorpion and claiming it was a rare BSA prototype. Along with all his other bogus attempts to describe his recent auction purchases as long-standing items from his personal collection that had been serviced by his “airsmith”.

There was a thread recently on Collectables about an auction of “Theoben prototypes”, which description was probably a bit misleading.

And, though I have zero evidence for this, it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point someone had in good faith, say, knocked up a replica BSA military pattern that later got represented as an original.

Plenty of questionable “Venoms” around, of course.

But I’ve never heard of anything like the thing you mention. Is that an actual thing, or a thought experiment?

[Hsing-ee]

The nearest I can remember recently was the infamous idiot on Freeads seemingly mating a BSA Buccaneer barrel to a Scorpion and claiming it was a rare BSA prototype. Along with all his other bogus attempts to describe his recent auction purchases as long-standing items from his personal collection that had been serviced by his “airsmith”.

There was a thread recently on Collectables about an auction of “Theoben prototypes”, which description was probably a bit misleading.

And, though I have zero evidence for this, it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point someone had in good faith, say, knocked up a replica BSA military pattern that later got represented as an original.

Plenty of questionable “Venoms” around, of course.

But I’ve never heard of anything like the thing you mention. Is that an actual thing, or a thought experiment?

I thought there might be some around. A long barrelled Scorpion as a prototype? Hilarious. And 'AIRSMITH'? priceless.

I was thinking of making an Rossi type thing but not sure if I can be arsed. And I've given the game away now.

The chap on here who loves Jackal rifles has made up some very convincing conversions with the plastic bodywork .. I guess the Military Pattern could indeed be easily copied. Hmm.

[Geezer]

Ah-ha.

You’ve also reminded me of an auction a few years ago of a Webley Premier that had the exact same “crackle” finish as a Sterling SMG. The description implied it might have had some military connection.

Personally, I reckon some bloke working for the factory in Dagenham realised his old air pistol was getting beaten up, and chucked the frame in the crackle machine (technical term) while no-one was looking on a Friday afternoon.

If you wanted to make an intriguing spoof (I absolutely do not endorse this), get hold of an “army” (nothing to do with the Army) model Osprey Supertarget, parkerise the major metal parts, stamp it on the metal with a broad arrow (which is a criminal offence, by the way, so please don’t) and something vaguely military like a crown next to three random capital letters or numbers, and paint badly a big two-digit number on the side of the butt in red or yellow paint. Ideally, you’d then plant it in the loft of a former REME NCO in Wiltshire to be found after he passed away.

That would keep the 2035 virtual reality hologram version of this forum tied up in knots for weeks.

Or nano-seconds once our AI robot overlords intervened.

PS: maybe someone else has something constructive and insightful to add to this thread?

[walnutfarmmick]

If the aim is get the powers-that-be scratching their heads this is my little ruse. One day when I'm in NZ I going to wander into the bush with a hammer and chisel and carve a few Viking runes on a big rock. I'm prevented from going at present obviously but I now know what the runes should say. How about ' Romans go home'.

ATB, Mick

[Geezer]

If the aim is get the powers-that-be scratching their heads this is my little ruse. One day when I'm in NZ I going to wander into the bush with a hammer and chisel and carve a few Viking runes on a big rock. I'm prevented from going at present obviously but I now know what the runes should say. How about ' Romans go home'.

ATB, Mick

Like that. It reminds me of when the monks of Glastonbury (losing out to other pilgrimage sites) suddenly discovered the grave of King Arthur in their garden, and that either Jesus or Joseph of Arimithea had founded their abbey.

Which is cool, because it allows my mother in Somerset to tell people that Jesus may have walked up the back lawn of her house.

[Huttles94]

The nearest I can remember recently was the infamous idiot on Freeads seemingly mating a BSA Buccaneer barrel to a Scorpion and claiming it was a rare BSA prototype. Along with all his other bogus attempts to describe his recent auction purchases as long-standing items from his personal collection that had been serviced by his “airsmith”.

There was a thread recently on Collectables about an auction of “Theoben prototypes”, which description was probably a bit misleading.

And, though I have zero evidence for this, it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point someone had in good faith, say, knocked up a replica BSA military pattern that later got represented as an original.

Plenty of questionable “Venoms” around, of course.

But I’ve never heard of anything like the thing you mention. Is that an actual thing, or a thought experiment?

Think I might know the bloke you're on about. Cant remember the name but a bloke on freeads had lots of listing and all were "from my personal collection".

He had what he said "a very rare BSA military pattern". But in reality it was just a standard BSA Standard model air rifle that someone had fitted (poorly I might add) into a relum like looking stock.

He told me it was a prototype and he has a friend who used to work at BSA in R&D who confirmed his story.

When pressed more he said that it is obviously a military pattern rifle due to the chevron stamp on the underside of the barrel......

I sent him a picture of my BSA CS model with the exact same V/chevron marking on the underside.

Still would not have it.

[WebleyWombler]

Think I might know the bloke you're on about. Cant remember the name but a bloke on freeads had lots of listing and all were "from my personal collection".

He had what he said "a very rare BSA military pattern". But in reality it was just a standard BSA Standard model air rifle that someone had fitted (poorly I might add) into a relum like looking stock.

He told me it was a prototype and he has a friend who used to work at BSA in R&D who confirmed his story.

When pressed more he said that it is obviously a military pattern rifle due to the chevron stamp on the underside of the barrel......

I sent him a picture of my BSA CS model with the exact same V/chevron marking on the underside.

Still would not have it.

There were 2 sellers i can recall sold from their 'Private collections' but I think the one you refer to J is one from Reading who was nicknamed 'Captain Shouty' on the forums. Something to do with his selling name being a military rank.

[Thegreg]

There were 2 sellers i can recall sold from their 'Private collections' but I think the one you refer to J is one from Reading who was nicknamed 'Captain Shouty' on the forums. Something to do with his selling name being a military rank.

I believe the guy you are talking about was called “The RQMS”. Probably nicknamed “Captain Shouty” because he wrote his ads in capital letters.

Some of his descriptions were wildly inaccurate and in short, total bullshit.

I do actually miss the guy, I loved reading his ads because they genuinely made me laugh out loud. The “airsmith” was a personal highlight.

I wonder where he’s pedalling all his crap now Freeads banned airguns....

Cheers
Greg

[harvey_s]

I believe the guy you are talking about was called “The RQMS”. Probably nicknamed “Captain Shouty” because he wrote his ads in capital letters.

Some of his descriptions were wildly inaccurate and in short, total bullshit.

I do actually miss the guy, I loved reading his ads because they genuinely made me laugh out loud. The “airsmith” was a personal highlight.

I wonder where he’s pedalling all his crap now Freeads banned airguns....

Cheers
Greg

I was just wondering the same thing...and if he's 'rebranded' himself.

[Huttles94]

There were 2 sellers i can recall sold from their 'Private collections' but I think the one you refer to J is one from Reading who was nicknamed 'Captain Shouty' on the forums. Something to do with his selling name being a military rank.

Ahh I remember that bloke, had a Dads army profile picture or something. But no not him, though he did try to peddle some crap.

The bloke I am on about was also a "gunsmith" and had a picture of his business card in every ad.

[micky2]

I bought a Quackenbush first model rifle off a dealer quite a few years ago which was quite a good copy. and l sold it on to a collector of Quackenbush's
as a copy in 2019 at Kempton. he asked how long l had had it, as he had seen one exactly the same for sale not so long ago. but l had mine since 1996 so there are at least 2 of them out there.

[oldskoolzzz]

Ahh I remember that bloke, had a Dads army profile picture or something. But no not him, though The bloke I am on about was also a "gunsmith" and had a picture of his business card in every ad.

Do you mean the Mr Hatcher?

Good old Glynn still clearing out his collection I see

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/bsa-free-d...r-Guns/1306854

I used to love freeads back in the day with the odd balls, chancers, Captain shouty and his airgunsmith tunes, sly traders and not forgetting those idiot timewasters that always gave you the sob story they had either been made redundant and can no longer purchase or simply didn’t even bother to turn up

Oh happy days

[bighit]

The nearest I can remember recently was the infamous idiot on Freeads seemingly mating a BSA Buccaneer barrel to a Scorpion and claiming it was a rare BSA prototype. Along with all his other bogus attempts to describe his recent auction purchases as long-standing items from his personal collection that had been serviced by his “airsmith”.

There was a thread recently on Collectables about an auction of “Theoben prototypes”, which description was probably a bit misleading.

And, though I have zero evidence for this, it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point someone had in good faith, say, knocked up a replica BSA military pattern that later got represented as an original.

Plenty of questionable “Venoms” around, of course.

But I’ve never heard of anything like the thing you mention. Is that an actual thing, or a thought experiment?

From the other forum

Quote
Ive had verbal confirmation that Steven Lilley was the designer and seller of my rifle.


That was the tactical Theoben prototype that was in the auction .

[greenwayjames]

From the other forum

Quote
Ive had verbal confirmation that Steven Lilley was the designer and seller of my rifle.


That was the tactical Theoben prototype that was in the auction .

Steven Lilley was indeed the man behind "Theoben"s designs working very closely with the main man behind the company