StarReloaders.com Discussion Forum
Star Reloaders Discussion Forums => Star Reloaders => Topic started by: itsnotyou 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?
-
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
-
Bruce
Were the early Stars like this one drilled and tapped for a case feeder ?
David
-
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?
-
Greetings,
My 1959-1960 Gil Hebard catalog lists the Hulme Case feeder for the Phelps.
Same case feeder, different machine.
Cheers,
Dave
-
Greetings,
More clues...
American Rifleman, January 1951, page 79 has a Hulme Advertisement. Also says "Patent Pending".
Cheers,
Dave
-
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.
-
Good find Dave.