Here's a question.... what was the first British spring powered air pistol?

[Benelli B76]

That's American.

And the Bisley Backstrap Cocking model, was that too late at 1911 ?

[JimmieDee]

And the Bisley Backstrap Cocking model, was that too late at 1911 ?

Yes. The Highest Possible patent was registered in 1907.

[Garvin]

Stand back and wait, gents. We are extremely fortunate to have among us the esteemed author of the largest, most comprehensive encyclopedia of spring air pistols ever written. He has probably forgotten more on this subject than we'll ever know...

[RichardH]

Stand back and wait, gents. We are extremely fortunate to have among us the esteemed author of the largest, most comprehensive encyclopedia of spring air pistols ever written. He has probably forgotten more on this subject than we'll ever know...

Good shout

[ccdjg]

It is an interesting question, and one that as yet does not have a definitive answer. However, I think we can fairly safely say that it would have been a late 19th century Bussey spring air pistol that was the first all-British production model - but not necessarily the one described in his 1876 patent for which rifles are known but no spring pistol has yet been found.

The only commercial air pistol unequivocally made by Bussey was this relic, which has a missing barrel, and is inscribed “ Bussey 1469 London” and “Patentee Brevete”. It was located in Germany.




Originally I thought that the barrel arrangement would have been a simple removable barrel as in the 1876 patent, but a German advert has recently surfaced which pictures the self-same gun fitted with a sliding barrel, and describing the pistol as a “BUSSEY”. Unfortunately the advert is undated, but has all the hallmarks of the 1870’s. This sliding barrel loading system was patented in Belgium by Simonon in 1878. The numbers 469 appear on one of the relevant Belgium patents, so possibly the 1469 on the Bussey pistol refers to this patent. This all suggests that Bussey manufactured this pistol in the UK around 1878, basing it on the Simonon barrel system, and for some reason he marketed it on the continent rather than in the UK. At least, a UK example has not turned up yet.



A possible prototype for this Bussey pistol is this one, which was a mystery unmarked pistol discussed by John Atkins in Airgunner Sept-Oct 1996. It has an identical sliding barrel system.





Why do I think it is a Bussey-made prototype? Well compare its unusual style of grip with this old prototype pistol of mine. They must surely come from the same stable. My pistol is assumed to be a Bussey prototype, as it is inscribed “1878” and “ B&C” ( standing for Bussey & Co. ?) and is a simple improvement on his 1876 patent. That is, to cock and load the barrel is removed to insert the pellet, and the plunger is used to directly compress the spring.







So it seems that in the late 1870’s Bussey was very active in the development of spring air pistols, and produced various prototypes (mine is marked number 7). At least one went into commercial production, though probably not for the British market. He was the only gun maker in Britain to show this interest until Anson’s Highest Possible development some 25 years later.

[RichardH]

Impressive answer..... thanks

[JimmieDee]

That's marvellous John. Thank you! Some great finds there.