Can anyone help with this BSF question?

[ccdjg]

I am currently carrying out a bit of research on the BSF S20 pistol, and came across this re-branded version in the Gallery with an HH logo. Does anyone have any idea who HH was? I have not been able to find it on any other airgun so far.

Many thanks,
John

[greenwayjames]

Probably way off the mark but that HH logo is similar to the one used by Helly Hansen who are an old Scandinavian company specialising in heavy duty outdoor clothing, originally for the fishing industry. They may have decided at one time to offer other products that woud tie in with their outdoor and sports lines? Trade marks are well protected and using anothers would cause trouble?
The second thought is that the owner decided to put his initials on the pistol. The BSF is a fine air pistol, after all

[kevin.ronnie]

I think that pistol was purchased second hand in California about 20yrs ago and I think all the instructions were printed in English , and apparently H H was a mail order company in the USA , hope this info may help.

Rgds Kev

[ccdjg]

Thanks for the replies, both. Much appreciated. I think Kev has probably hit the nail on the head, as this type of rebranding of German imports is a very American thing (lots of examples, including Wischo). I did a bit of search on HH, and the most likely contender with such initials would be House-Hasson Hardware, of Knoxville-Chattanooga. Their mail order catalogues of the 1950's had firearms, air guns and accessories section.

Cheers,
John

[MDriskill]

Now that's very interesting! I live in Knoxville, and grew up in a small town about 50 miles away. House-Hasson is still very much in business here, but no longer in the retail mail-order business as far as I know. I will do some asking around about their earlier days.

My father and grandfather ran a large furniture and appliance store. They got items like musical instruments and accessories, tools, repair parts, etc. from House Hasson. My first "real" airgun was a Benjamin 347 in 1968; it likely came from HH, but has no special markings.

A childhood friend had an S20 in the late '60's - the first quality springer I ever saw. Air Rifle Headquarters was the likely US source in those days, though HH might be possible - but I clearly recall it had the factory BSF logo.

Here is a link to a reprint of the gun section in the 1954 HH catalog. Note the contents list on the right of the link - only Daisy airguns are noted. 1954 may be a bit early for them to have carried German imports.

https://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns...hp?item_id=374

[greenwayjames]

Thanks for the replies, both. Much appreciated. I think Kev has probably hit the nail on the head, as this type of rebranding of German imports is a very American thing (lots of examples, including Wischo). I did a bit of search on HH, and the most likely contender with such initials would be House-Hasson Hardware, of Knoxville-Chattanooga. Their mail order catalogues of the 1950's had firearms, air guns and accessories section.

Cheers,
John

Thank you for acknowledging my reply. House Hasson woud be a good candidate because they were and are wholesalers who would handle far larger volumes than a retailer. They would then be in a position to get BSF to use their name on the grips.
The House Hasson logo would be too large to fit the brass medallion so might have been abreviated to fit?

[MDriskill]

As much as I'd like this to have a hometown Knoxville connection (!) - might a simpler explanation be a one-off, perhaps with an owner's initials? The HH medallion doesn't seem to fit the recess in the wood quite as cleanly as a BSF one.

[greenwayjames]

As much as I'd like this to have a hometown link (!) - might a simpler explanation be a one-off, perhaps with an owner's initials? The HH medallion doesn't seem to fit the recess in the wood quite as cleanly as a BSF one.

You are right it does look a bit it does look a bit amateurish. The version that I lusted after was the Export de luxe. lovely wanut grip with a pronounced thumbshelf.

[Garvin]

There's certainly precedent for rebadging these pistols in similar livery (perhaps at BSF's insistence?):

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....tol/#post-7367

[MDriskill]

I noticed that the Burgo-labeled S20 at Vintage Airguns Gallery also had the Burgo logo stamped into the receiver. Was that also true of Wischo, Bavaria, and other known BSF re-labeled airguns?

If so, a photo of the top of the "HH" one might settle whether it was a legit factory export or not.

[ccdjg]

Good point. The Wischo BSF S20 pistol were also marked with the Wischo name on top of the cylinder. Unfortunately the two pictures of the HH pistol in the Gallery seem to be the only ones we have.

[ggggr]

Good point. The Wischo BSF S20 pistol were also marked with the Wischo name on top of the cylinder. Unfortunately the two pictures of the HH pistol in the Gallery seem to be the only ones we have.

That would clinch it I guess John.
As someone has mentioned that inlet bit doesnt seem to be great. Im wondering if someone has replaced an original one with the HH ? I was thinking maybe that was orignailly a cufflink?