Author Topic: Star or Not??  (Read 31548 times)

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rbwillnj

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Star or Not??
« on: February 02, 2009, 12:10:00 pm »
Currently there is a Reloader on eBay that is proported to be a very early Star.   What do you think?  Star or Not??  Why??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270336982555

Courtesy of Ricketts, I have updated this post with larger pictures.    Anyone else have an opinion, Star or Not??
« Last Edit: February 09, 2009, 07:25:46 pm by rbwillnj »
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Kenneth L. Walters

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2009, 01:53:42 pm »
It is a Star.  The Hulmn case feeder option was added in the mid-50's.  That's clearly not the case here so it is at least 55 years old.
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NYKenn

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2009, 05:13:41 pm »
I would concur that it is a Star, but very early in the development. My opinion anyway.
Powder slide assembly, safety cam, etc., all star like.
Would only wonder if all the parts are truly compatible with later versions.
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rbwillnj

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2009, 09:28:16 pm »
Some additional pictures courtesy of Ricketts.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2009, 09:31:23 pm by rbwillnj »
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NYKenn

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2009, 09:22:11 pm »
Looking closer you can tell the powder bar actuating arm is screwed/bolted/riveted to the base.
The link arm body is square.
The powder housing looks like brass?

Maybe if not a star, maybe a Phelps?
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"

rbwillnj

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2009, 07:25:32 pm »
The owner of the Pictured Star Reloader was kind enough to provide the pictures below.   Note the lettering cast into the base which says Pat. Pending.  Star filed their patent application in July of 1933, and it was granted in February of 1936.   I think it's reasonable to assume this machine was manufactured between those two dates, or at least sometime close to those dates.
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Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
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rbwillnj

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2009, 07:28:28 pm »
In May 1934, American Rifleman published a review of the Star Reloading Machine by CF Ness.  Below is a picture that was included in that article.
Note the lettering cast into the base.   
« Last Edit: February 07, 2009, 07:31:09 pm by rbwillnj »
Star Machine Works
Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
www.StarMachineWorks.com

rbwillnj

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2009, 07:33:07 pm »
Below is Figure 1 from C.F. Peterson's patent of what we know now as the Star Reloading Machine.
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Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
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Kenneth L. Walters

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2009, 12:26:33 am »
Anybody ever find the Winchester patent that the Star was based upon?
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rbwillnj

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2010, 03:44:55 pm »
It didn't sell the last time it was on Ebay, and now its back with no reserve.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370341711920&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
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Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
www.StarMachineWorks.com

333OKH

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2010, 06:41:34 pm »
Very interesting Bruce, its so hard to tell if its Star, some of it sure looks like it though, George.
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Star73

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2010, 08:04:47 pm »
The top housing (square/rectangular) certainly looks strange! A replacement for a cracked or broken housing installed by the user after hard use? It looks as if this machine has had some "misfortunes" w/ the rivets etc. Looks like a homemade casfeeder was used. It would be interesting to hear the history of this machine!

As far as the identity, isn't the lettering "Pat Pending" on the base a dead giveaway? Star.

Ron

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2010, 08:12:03 pm »
NYKenn, you mention the brass pdr hsg...note it's home mfg, the threaded ring for it's pdr reservoir is soldered  in place, also note the rough edges on the base flange holding the pdr measure assy in place, different screw locations etc. Possibly missing parts from long ago & some one re mfg'd  the top hsg & pdr slide housing?

Ron

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2011, 05:20:49 pm »
I own this ??? Star.  Rickets was never able to sell it so I picked it up from him.  A little background, this press came from an estate of a serious press collector. He had over 300 presses, many rare and unusual pieces.  I flew to California and helped his wife inventory the collection after his sudden passing.  This was in 2008.
I have a significant collection of my own but have not gotten into Star and other progressives.  I looked at the press as it was placed with 6 other Star's in the collection.  Not being knowledgeable in Star design I concluded that it was a early Star and let it be at that. 
I arranged for rickets to buy the entire collection.  That is the pieces I did not pickup.
Now the press is parked on my bench looking for a positive ID.  I can take pictures, get measurements etc if anyone can help ID this piece.  I am also open to phone calls knowing that a conversation with the press in hand can help.

Thanks,
Ken

bobmm

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Re: Star or Not??
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2011, 01:54:14 am »
everything looks STAR but the base looks differant..... Phelps??? Why does that ring a bell..can't put my thought on it. more info please....bob