Star or Not??

[rbwillnj]

Currently there is a Reloader on eBay that is proported to be a very early Star.   What do you think?  Star or Not??  Why??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270336982555

Courtesy of Ricketts, I have updated this post with larger pictures.    Anyone else have an opinion, Star or Not??

[Kenneth L. Walters]

It is a Star.  The Hulmn case feeder option was added in the mid-50's.  That's clearly not the case here so it is at least 55 years old.

[NYKenn]

I would concur that it is a Star, but very early in the development. My opinion anyway.
Powder slide assembly, safety cam, etc., all star like.
Would only wonder if all the parts are truly compatible with later versions.

[rbwillnj]

Some additional pictures courtesy of Ricketts.

[NYKenn]

Looking closer you can tell the powder bar actuating arm is screwed/bolted/riveted to the base.
The link arm body is square.
The powder housing looks like brass?

Maybe if not a star, maybe a Phelps?

[rbwillnj]

The owner of the Pictured Star Reloader was kind enough to provide the pictures below.   Note the lettering cast into the base which says Pat. Pending.  Star filed their patent application in July of 1933, and it was granted in February of 1936.   I think it's reasonable to assume this machine was manufactured between those two dates, or at least sometime close to those dates.

[rbwillnj]

In May 1934, American Rifleman published a review of the Star Reloading Machine by CF Ness.  Below is a picture that was included in that article.
Note the lettering cast into the base.   

[rbwillnj]

Below is Figure 1 from C.F. Peterson's patent of what we know now as the Star Reloading Machine.

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Anybody ever find the Winchester patent that the Star was based upon?

[rbwillnj]

It didn't sell the last time it was on Ebay, and now its back with no reserve.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370341711920&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[333OKH]

Very interesting Bruce, its so hard to tell if its Star, some of it sure looks like it though, George.

[Star73]

The top housing (square/rectangular) certainly looks strange! A replacement for a cracked or broken housing installed by the user after hard use? It looks as if this machine has had some "misfortunes" w/ the rivets etc. Looks like a homemade casfeeder was used. It would be interesting to hear the history of this machine!

As far as the identity, isn't the lettering "Pat Pending" on the base a dead giveaway? Star.

Ron

[Star73]

NYKenn, you mention the brass pdr hsg...note it's home mfg, the threaded ring for it's pdr reservoir is soldered  in place, also note the rough edges on the base flange holding the pdr measure assy in place, different screw locations etc. Possibly missing parts from long ago & some one re mfg'd  the top hsg & pdr slide housing?

Ron

[Pressman]

I own this Star.  Rickets was never able to sell it so I picked it up from him.  A little background, this press came from an estate of a serious press collector. He had over 300 presses, many rare and unusual pieces.  I flew to California and helped his wife inventory the collection after his sudden passing.  This was in 2008.
I have a significant collection of my own but have not gotten into Star and other progressives.  I looked at the press as it was placed with 6 other Star's in the collection.  Not being knowledgeable in Star design I concluded that it was a early Star and let it be at that. 
I arranged for rickets to buy the entire collection.  That is the pieces I did not pickup.
Now the press is parked on my bench looking for a positive ID.  I can take pictures, get measurements etc if anyone can help ID this piece.  I am also open to phone calls knowing that a conversation with the press in hand can help.

Thanks,
Ken

[bobmm]

everything looks STAR but the base looks differant..... Phelps??? Why does that ring a bell..can't put my thought on it. more info please....bob