How old are these pellets?

[Geezer]

Knowing that the leading expert on vintage airgun ammunition has to be John Atkins, I dug through past pellet articles of his in Airgunner Magazine,and in the December 2006 issue he mentions Lanes Bully Bullets. These are dated to 1906, and are not only one of the earliest mentions of waisted pellets, but they also have flat wadcutter head. It is interesting that when the waisted pellet was later accepted in Germany, the flat head type eventually became their norm, whereas in the UK, the flat head did not catch on, and waisted pellets became exclusively domed or pointed.



Frank's 1908 catalogue picture shows a domed head on the waisted pellet, and in my own searches I could only find German dome heads up to 1939 (catalogues seen from the years 1926, 1933 and 1934). The first definitive illustration of a flat head pellet I found was in a 1939 Akah catalogue, and these were made by Utendorfer. So it appears that the mystery pellets could have been pre-war, but only just.

Interesting, thanks.

Are those cats being shot with “bango bullets”, or some kind of monkey?

What were “Bango bullets”, anyway?

[edbear2]

Interesting, thanks.

Are those cats being shot with “bango bullets”, or some kind of monkey?

What were “Bango bullets”, anyway?

Bango's were Lanes explosive pellets, not sure what they used Fulminate of Mercury or some such pressure sensitive stuff I expect, we used to fiddlearound with red match heads and stuff as kids without much success.

ATB, Ed

[Geezer]

Bango's were Lanes explosive pellets, not sure what they used Fulminate of Mercury or some such pressure sensitive stuff I expect, we used to fiddlearound with red match heads and stuff as kids without much success.

ATB, Ed

I thought so.

You can still get something similar on E Bore. I think from Russia. They are of course illegal.

Despite the interesting and helpful comments on this thread, I still think that the origin of the diabolo in 1905-08 remains a bit of a mystery to me.

We can hypothesise (with some certainty) that someone invented them, and that they proved well suited to the LJ/BSA and the Bonehill Anglo Sure-Shot. But were the rifles and the pellets invented separately, or was there some connection?

Probably a happy coincidence. Just a pity we (I) can’t be sure.

[ccdjg]

I thought so.

Despite the interesting and helpful comments on this thread, I still think that the origin of the diabolo in 1905-08 remains a bit of a mystery to me.
.

Yes, and it still remains a mystery to everyone The origin of the most important development ever in airgun ammunition is still unknown. Despite a thorough study of catalogues, trademarks, patents and trade journal data, John Atkins could not pin the origin down, other than it was almost certainly in the UK.

Given that pellet manufacturers of the period were quick to patent and publicise the weirdest of designs, most of which were a waste of time, it is hard to understand why the originator of the waisted pellet was so shy in coming forward.

[Geezer]

Yes, and it still remains a mystery to everyone The origin of the most important development ever in airgun ammunition is still unknown. Despite a thorough study of catalogues, trademarks, patents and trade journal data, John Atkins could not pin the origin down, other than it was almost certainly in the UK.

Given that pellet manufacturers of the period were quick to patent and publicise the weirdest of designs, most of which were a waste of time, it is hard to understand why the originator of the waisted pellet was so shy in coming forward.

Thanks, Prof. I’m glad it’s not just me!

[edbear2]

I thought so.

You can still get something similar on E Bore. I think from Russia. They are of course illegal.

Despite the interesting and helpful comments on this thread, I still think that the origin of the diabolo in 1905-08 remains a bit of a mystery to me.

We can hypothesise (with some certainty) that someone invented them, and that they proved well suited to the LJ/BSA and the Bonehill Anglo Sure-Shot. But were the rifles and the pellets invented separately, or was there some connection?

Probably a happy coincidence. Just a pity we (I) can’t be sure.

I would say they co-incided with the advent of rifled barrels, maybe it is a case, like so many things, of many people coming up with the same conclusions / ideas, and even if you find the person who "invented" them, you will never know if he nicked the idea or someone with less access to marketing beat him to it (like the telephone).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...7608030264100/

ATB, Ed

[BadPigeon]

On a slightly different note i got tall round papper pellet box called "the new kessler universal" they are hollow slugs i belive made in USA same as the Kessler air rifle. Cant find much info does anyone know roughly the period these were made, maybe Mr 45flint knows? I imagine these would have been ideal for bunny bashing with a high power rifle, unfortunately i cant attach a pic. Tx

[Buck25]

On a slightly different note i got tall round papper pellet box called "the new kessler universal" they are hollow slugs i belive made in USA same as the Kessler air rifle. Cant find much info does anyone know roughly the period these were made, maybe Mr 45flint knows? I imagine these would have been ideal for bunny bashing with a high power rifle, unfortunately i cant attach a pic. Tx

Have attached a photo of what I believe is your blue Kessler pellet container. There are also other Kessler pellet containers. Kessler dated approximately 1948-1950. Hope this helps.

[ccdjg]

Interesting, thanks.

Are those cats being shot with “bango bullets”, or some kind of monkey?

What were “Bango bullets”, anyway?

The article by John Atkins in the latest (January 2021) issue of Airgunner gives another fascinating and detailed account of early pellets, which happens to cover these Bango pellets, and is a 'must' read for anyone with an interest in the history of airgun ammunition. The Bango's of course only explode on hitting a hard surface, so in the advert they are not actually being shot at the cats (yes, they are cats, not monkeys!).