Tinplate6 Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 This is another one of those classic ray guns as recognizable for its style as a '57 Chevy. B) The Dan Dare gun is a cast metal cap gun and measures 7.5 inches. This dynamic design was used in the Sting Ray gun, also by Lone Star, as well as over a dozen other plastic guns to appear in later years. What makes this unique is the streamlined shape and extensive use of wide fins, additionally the silver paintwork with candy red over spray was an unusual treatment at that time. Make no mistake about it, these are really solid and heavy. If these guns were dropped the metal would bung and crush, as well as crack and even shatter sometimes, so to find one mint is very difficult. This one is in excellent condition with very few dings and almost no paint chips or scrapes. From the looks of the cap chamber, I don't think it was hardly fired at all. :huh: The makers marks are cast into the top ridge of the gun, below the sight and on the back of the cap chamber. :blink: I recognize Lone Star, but I'm not familiar with DCMT Ltd. Anyway, I've always wanted one of these as I have so few British guns, it is definitely a stand out piece. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunkclick Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I agree that this is such a classic design and your example is one of the best I have seen. I too especially like the finish and for one I think that a cosmetic repair to this finish would be difficult. Perhaps Phil could comment on this. :rolleyes: Another for my list which will soon be a book! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil R Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Wow, what a great example of this gun. It's a beauty! CC, painting of this type gun would not be difficult. I often have mixed metallics for grammaphones. The main thing be be concerned about is to hide the chipping before applying the paint. Grammaphones have heavy paint application. I don't think the paint is as heavy on the metal guns. This finish is a kind of flashing. The metallic finish on the stevens, etc. is chrome. That's impossible to match with paint as John Rigg will attest on robots.I apologize for the sidebar on restoration. Again, TP, what a great example of that gun outside a boxed example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dratomic Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 A fantastic ray gun, one of the best. Did you know it was supposed to blow smoke rings out the barrel? Supposedly true... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted April 9, 2010 Author Share Posted April 9, 2010 A fantastic ray gun, one of the best. Did you know it was supposed to blow smoke rings out the barrel? Supposedly true...Smoke rings? Really? :huh: Hunh, that would be cool, but I guess we'll never know, as I have no intention of trying to fire it. I have a Sting Ray with the top of the hammer broken off, and I don't want that to happen to this one, the metal is so brittle. :mellow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dratomic Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Agreed, I never pull the trigger on mine. I barely like to pop open the cap compartment because I'm afraid I'll screw something up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunkclick Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 Thanks Phil I knew you would know how to do it! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted April 10, 2010 Author Share Posted April 10, 2010 Clunkclick, by any chance do you know what the initials DCMT Ltd stand for? :unsure: Is it Lone Star's parent company? :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunkclick Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 DCMT Ltd stands for Diecasting Machine Tools Ltd. I believe it was the parent company. Started in London around 1939. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dratomic Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 Cool! Thanks for the info, Clunk. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted April 10, 2010 Author Share Posted April 10, 2010 DCMT Ltd stands for Diecasting Machine Tools Ltd. I believe it was the parent company. Started in London around 1939.Super information, thanks Clunk. So, I guess we can date this to 1939 now hunh? :lol: ;) ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.