Bedford (boxed)

Made when Augustus Bedford operated alone, around 1875. With thanks to Bruce for this pic.

Note that the box instructions are in English and German.

Eureka

With thanks to Bruce for this pic.

Eureka (boxed)

With thanks to Bruce for this pic.

Eureka postcard

With thanks to Bruce for this scan.

Champion

With thanks to John A for this pic of two Champions, one black Japanned and one nickel with rosewood grips.

With thanks to Bruce for these pics. With a 'Eureka' pistol. The advertisement for the pistols was on the bottom of an 1870s/1880s paper ammunition box.

With thanks to Sean Campbell, imaging manager of the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West in Cody, Wyoming, for permission to post these pics of a gun held in the Cody Firearms Museum. The blurb accompanying this gun follows.

Accession Number: 1993.8.67 Date : c. 1940 Dimensions: L: 14.5 in, H: 4.75 in Credit Line: Gift of Thomas K. Hutchinson Inscription: top of barrel: PAT "AP" APR1171. ENG JULY 3 75. MAY 25,75 Synopsis: firearm- pistol- airgun- Iver Johnson (Martin Bye) USA- wood- brass- steel- top of barrel: PAT "AP" APR1171. ENG JULY 3 75. MAY 25,75- Champion- .22

Cased Eureka

With thanks to Sean Campbell, imaging manager of the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West in Cody, Wyoming, for permission to post these pics of a gun held in the Cody Firearms Museum. The blurb accompanying this gun follows.

Accession Number: 1993.8.61 Date : 1875-1885 Dimensions: L: 14 in, Barrel length: 8.5 in, H: 4.25 in Credit Line: Gift of Thomas K. Hutchinson Remarks: "Bedford Eureka, US Patent. Jan, 18, 76 Pat'd in England #486. Wooden case with key; removable shoulder stock; Pope patent. Synopsis: firearm- pistol- airgun- Bedford (Quackenbush)- nickel-plated- steel- Eureka- .22- "Bedford Eureka, US Patent. Jan, 18, 76 Pat'd in England #486. Wooden case with key; removable shoulder stock; Pope patent.

Eureka (final version)

With thanks to Sean Campbell, imaging manager of the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West in Cody, Wyoming, for permission to post these pics of a gun held in the Cody Firearms Museum. The blurb accompanying this gun follows.

Accession Number: 1993.8.68 Date : 1880 Dimensions: L: 14 in, Barrel length: 8.5 in, H: 4.25 in Credit Line: Gift of Thomas K. Hutchinson Remarks: Separate acting plunger below barrel; Pope patent. Inscription: right side of barrel: PAT JAN 18, JULY 18 "78 PAT. IN ENG. Synopsis: firearm- pistol- airgun- Bedford and Walker, Quackenbush, USA- steel- right side of barrel: PAT JAN 18, JULY 18 "78 PAT. IN ENG.- .22- Separate acting plunger below barrel; Pope patent.

Bedford (& Walker) pistols (David Swan collection)

With thanks to Rod Meek of Anderson & Garland Auctioneers (www.andersonandgarland.com) for permission to post these pics of pistols auctioned in 2015.

Pics preceded by auction blurb:

"A Bedford 'Eureka'' .215cal. air pistol, no. 94 circa 1876, fitted plunger cocking action, with brass barrel attached to steel body and grip, 14in. overall length. Hammer price: £140 A Bedford & Walker .215cal. air pistol, circa 1880, with plunger cocking mechanism, black painted cast iron grip, 13 3/4in. overall length. Hammer price: £120"

A Bedford & Walker .215cal. air pistol, circa 1880, with plunger cock-in mechanism, nickel plated cast iron body, 13 3/4in. overall length. Hammer price: £120

A Bedford & Walker pattern .215 cal. air pistol, in full chromed metal with pump pressure action and hinged barrel, 15in. overall length. Hammer price £160

Bedford's Eureka

Looks like this pistol has been sleeved for some reason - maybe a split cylinder?

Beford Eureka

Pics copyright Holts Auctioneers