the "BIG CHIEF" Air - Gun

[gingernut]

Big Chief no sh*t is a very fine old joke.
Never heard of the airguns tho!

[Chippendale]

Big Chief no sh*t is a very fine old joke.
Never heard of the airguns tho!

I had an air rifle that was either called a Big Chief or Indian Chief, I'm pretty certain though that it was a Big Chief. This was bought for me as a Christmas present when I was nine years old back in 1952 from a store in Barnsley called Reynolds & Wadsworths, they were actually very good tool and hardware store situated at the bottom of Market Hill in Barnsley.

Fond memories

Chippendale (with clothes on)

[slow_runner]

Thanks Brian.
We might be half way up the garden path due to my description 'airgun'. To be clearer I am told they are the rifle version.
The inbox is sorted now Epicyclic

[Abasmajor]

Thanks Brian.
We might be half way up the garden path due to my description 'airgun'. To be clearer I am told they are the rifle version.
The inbox is sorted now Epicyclic

Hi,

I have found out a little bit more about the 'Big Chief' air rifle from an early Airgunner magazine

Produsit who were based at 78, Lombard Street,Birmingham and Robert Edward Hicks, took out a patent for the 'Big Chief' shoulder air gun in 1948. The subject being a simplified air gun cheap to manufacture and efficient,the full length of the body formed as a single drawn metal tube with its larger diameter rear portion forming the air chamber, with a detachable 'shot tube' and simplified trigger guard. The patent was applied for on 23rd December 1948 and granted on 13th February 1952. The 'shot tube' was removed for loading with a cup slug, dart or lead ball. The muzzle end of the false barrel (or outer tube) has a knurled muzzle cap that carries the foresight on the top and a fastening at the bottom to engage a bayonet slot at the end of the barrel housing. The earlier production of the 'Thunderbolt Junior /Big Chief air pistol probably prompted Produsit to make a shoulder gun. There may have been several examples of this rifle which were identical except for name, and were sold by dealers under their own names

The Airgunner article features such an example sold by Abbey Alert under the trade name 'British Abbey'. I haven't come across any Big Chief air rifle in the UK and wonder if as with the pistol bearing the same name, most were destined for New Zealand.

It would be nice to see a couple of pictures of the rifle if you get the opportunity.

Regards

Brian

[slow_runner]

That is a terrific background piece Brian, thanks for your efforts. The bayonet fitting was mentioned to me, and it has some sort of interlock that prevents cocking or firring until fully assembled?
I haven't been able to get my head around that imagery so I am curious to see them too. I am visiting him next week and will be sure to take some images and post here.
Thanks again.

PS perhaps it is the same Produsit toolmaking and engineering company that trades from Birmingham today?

[slow_runner]

Here are the images of the two Big Chiefs. One has a non original stock and has been assembled at some point using nails as rivets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0d056e26.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0a334dc6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psc1a671b1.jpg

[Abasmajor]

Here are the images of the two Big Chiefs. One has a non original stock and has been assembled at some point using nails as rivets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0d056e26.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps0a334dc6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psc1a671b1.jpg

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the pictures of the 'Big Chief' with us. One of our members ('Micky') has one of the few examples I have heard of in the UK. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you were to contact him via a PM and possibly compare notes.

Regards

Brian