Star Branding Through the Years

[rbwillnj]

Below are the various ways Star branded their machines throughout their production history.   On very early Pat. Pending machines Star Machine Works was incorporated into the cast iron base.   Next came the brass plaque on the tool head followed by the decal we most familiar with.   There are some slight variations in the decal font over the years, but it remained pretty much unchanged for many years.

The yellow decal came next.   Don't know when they started using this, but base on the recent post about a "New in the Box" machine, it was in use in 1987.

The yellow decal was followed by the silver sticker.   I have a Rifle machine with this sticker which I know was produced in 1990.

The sliver sticker was followed by the gold metallic sticker.   Star was using this at the end.

The Star Machine Works - Pioneer California is the sticker that Bill Cunningham used.   He assembled some machines from parts and also sold tool heads with this label.

The last one is the decal that I use on the machines that I rebuild.   The field is gold rather than the mustardy color in the original Star decals.   I don't sell them.  They are used exclusively on the machines that I rebuild, so please don't ask.    I hate to disappoint.


Bruce Williams

[rbwillnj]

Had to do a second post to get them all in.

[NYKenn]

Very interesting Bruce.
I recall seeing one cast base with the name in it at a gun show many years ago. One and only one.
Over the years I have seen all except for the one in Silver and yours.

I also recall seeing “remanufactured” stickers on Ebay, not sure if they could be distinguished from the originals.

Do you think any of the changes coordinated with the introduction of the Universal?

Regards
Kenn

[rbwillnj]

In the May 1934 Issue of American Rifleman there was a review of the Star Reloader and it mentions that Star had developed a universal model for other calibers.   I did see a Universal model with an aluminum Pat. Pending base on eBay once but it had been painted red.   If it had a decal, any remnants had been destroyed with the repaint.

I do have the machine below.   It has the same style aluminum base as the Pat. Pending machines with the powder slide cam held in place with two screws and two studs, but the Pat. Pending has been removed from the base and the patent number has been stamped into the base.   Don't know when this machine was produced, but after Feb 1936 when the patent was issued, and probably before WWII.   There is no brass plaque or any sign it ever had one, but there is no guarantee the tool head is original...but it probably is as there is no patent number stamped on the tool head. 

I doubt if the chrome plating is original, but who knows.

Bruce Williams