John Bowkett prototypes

John Bowkett prototypes 

Taken from the JB official Facebook fan pages.

John says:

Another little gathering of air rifles. This time all either development or pre-production prototypes. The top two prototypes were made so that I could develop the valving system that many years later appeared in the BSA Spitfire and Firebird. Both the rifle and pistol produced a good shot count from a small air reservoir due to the straight line valving system which released compressed air in a straight line and just behind the pellet. Efficiency is really hammered when air has to go round corners! Both hand made prototypes were helped shot count wise by striker anti bounce devices but of a different type to that used on the later SuperTen and Spitfire. Rifle and pistol are still frequently used, which is how it should be.
The next down is an early development prototype for the Spitfire which used a BSA Lightning as a base with the spring and piston replace by a permantly fitted giant air cartridge working at 1200 psi.
Third down the next step in development using less Lightning bits but retaining an enlarged air cartridge.
Fourth down number 1 of 5 preproduction Spitfires used to develop and test the SF version of that rifle.
Last but not least the hand made prototype made to develop what became the Hornet with its push button cocking and internal regulator based on the one used in the SuperTen.