Author Topic: Pre Pattent Star  (Read 8344 times)

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itsnotyou

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Pre Pattent Star
« on: October 08, 2017, 10:53:47 am »
I got this star reloader a few months ago. I am told it is a pre-patent Star. Trying to decide if I should invest the money to get it back to full working condition. does anyone have an idea of its value?

rbwillnj

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Re: Pre Pattent Star
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2017, 11:18:50 am »
Not sure what you have into the machine, but from what I can see you are missing the handle, primer magazine and follower, and the powder magazine, so about $160 worth of parts.   It's a Progressive model for 38 Special or .357 only, but it has a case feeder which is plus.   If complete with the additional parts, I think you are looking at $300-$350.

It is a nice very early Progressive dating back to the Mid 30's.  It has a "0" size powder slide housing, but it's not marked "No 0", so it predates the "00" powder slide housing.   In it's original state it would have had a nickel plated brass powder magazine and a handle with a brass feral.  The very earliest Progressives from the early thirties actually had a brass/bronze powder slide housing and a powder slide that was even smaller than the "0".

Did you ever hear back from Ken Neeld at ARTCA?  I know he is looking for a Pat. Pending machine for their archive.

Bruce Williams
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Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
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cc656d

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Re: Pre Pattent Star
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2017, 08:31:58 am »
   Bruce
Were the early Stars like this one drilled and tapped for a case feeder ?
  David
Distinguished pistol shot
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Life Member Va, Md, WVa, and Fl State Shooting Associations , Life OGCA

rbwillnj

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Re: Pre Pattent Star
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2017, 09:11:25 am »
I don't think Star started to factory drill and tap for the Hulme case feeder until about 1959.  Hulme offered a kit to enable owners of older machines to properly locate, drill and tap the base for the case feeder.

The case feeder on the Pat. Pending machine is obviously a later addition.

Not sure when Hulme case feeders appeared on the market.  I assume in the 50"s.  Anyone know?
Star Machine Works
Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
www.StarMachineWorks.com

fc60

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Re: Pre Patent Star
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2017, 12:02:25 pm »
Greetings,

My 1959-1960 Gil Hebard catalog lists the Hulme Case feeder for the Phelps.

Same case feeder, different machine.

Cheers,

Dave

fc60

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Hulme Case Feeder
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2017, 12:29:32 pm »
Greetings,

More clues...

American Rifleman, January 1951, page 79 has a Hulme Advertisement. Also says "Patent Pending".

Cheers,

Dave

824tsv

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Re: Pre Pattent Star
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2017, 02:49:51 pm »
I can't locate the article, but I remember reading the Bio of Hulme Firearm Service (maybe here, but I can't find it) Maybe someone can post up a link if they can locate it.

rbwillnj

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Re: Pre Pattent Star
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2017, 09:21:54 am »
Good find Dave.
Star Machine Works
Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
www.StarMachineWorks.com