Hy-Score prototypes

Hy-Score prototypes 

With thanks to John G.

John, the author of the Encyclopedia of Spring Air Pistols, said:

[It] was made by Andrew Laszlo, inventor of the iconic Hy-Score pistol, and was one of several prototypes he made in the course of developing his Hy-Score. After his demise, all his prototypes were transferred to Dr Robert Beeman who became their custodian. Robert Beeman then generously shared pictures of the collection with me.

This pistol is interesting in that it does not resemble the final Hy-Score in any obvious way, which demonstrates clearly that just because a pistol does not look like its final incarnation does not prove that it is not a prototype, as has been suggested. Note that the cocking link is missing.

Closer examination of this pistol reveals that Andrew Laszlo had taken on board the concentric barrel concept, with the piston being drawn forwards, as in the Hy-Score, and was exploring over-lever cocking and one type of breech closure.

It is interesting to note that he was a skilled engineer, but obviously was quite happy to cut corners where it did not really matter, as exemplified by the crude trigger guard, and the cross-head screw in the grip , which is not a replacement as Robert Beeman archived the prototypes as received and made no changes to them.

It is also worth pointing out that none of Lazlo’s prototypes are marked, so lack of markings on a mystery pistol does not mean that it is not a prototype.