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newthings · New Member

Hi all,
I am a new member. I need some help in finding a description and history for an air gun.
I just came across a BSA Scorpion air pistol at an antique mall. It has the box and manual. The condition is very clean. The manual is dated 1977. The stock is black plastic. It seems to be a pump gun rather than CO2. The gun is quite heavy at about 2 lbs. The overall length is about 15". The BSA site does not have a history link. The asking price is $225. USD. Any direction or comments would be appreciated,
Roy

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Hi Newthings, Welcome to the site, I used to have a BSA Scorpion many years ago I think it was basically a Meteor air rifle cut down and called a pistol, if I remember rightly it was very powerfull but you had problems hitting things because of the kick, mine was the .22 but it was also made in .177. As for the price I cannot really say, as things are usually cheaper in the USA than over here, but in good condition I would say that the price is about right

AL

newthings · New Member

Thanks for the reply Al. This one is a .177. Since this is a pumper, did you have any seal issues with age?
Could you point me to any reference as to: nice to have, collectible, rare, etc.?
Roy

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Here is a .22 version that sold out of Canada about a year ago- at about half the $225 asking price you got once the Canadian-US dollar exchange was taken into account. Maybe print that out and take it in to see about haggling with the seller:

http://www.bbairguns.com/cgi-bin/item.pl?item=3545

Collectible? Probably as much as anything- especially if you're a fan of British airguns.

Here's it's basic layout:

Based on those Chambers diagrams/listings- it appears most of the parts are still available for it if it needs repair- but you may have to order from the UK.

I'd love to be able to give some accurate history on the gun- but I'm still waiting for the newest edition of the "Blue Book of Airguns" to show up at my door (hopefully only a few more days)!

newthings · New Member

Most helpful Eric.
The only Blue Book of Airguns showing on Amazon is 2002. Is a newer one available for order?
I also have and shoot a S&W Model 79G CO2.
Roy

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Hi Roy the only seal I ever changed on a Scorpion pistol was the breach seal and that I made out of leather soaked it in oil and it seemed to work allright. As for being a collectable in good condition they are sort after because of their power, the only thing I didn't like about it was all the plastic bits.

AL

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Too much plastic in a 30+ year old airgun? That's too bad.

As for the Blue Book of Airguns- there is a 2007 Edition (Sixth Edition) which should come up on Amazon- it's also available through Ebay and such places. I found it on Amazon.

Actually, here's a link:

Amazon.com 's The Blue Book of Airguns listing

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Just the main grips and stock also the rear sight are plastic as far as I can remember.

AL

newthings · New Member

That's the one.
I ordered the book.
Roy

newthings · New Member

Al, where is Linconshire from Northhampton? 10 years ago I lived in Pattishall, a village outside Northampton, for a month. I worked at the Plessey Research Labs at Caswel near Towcester. Away form the bigger cities, each place is a linkage of smaller places. Rural UK seems a good place to live, if you have a place to earn a living. The english are a very inventive people and I learned a lot.
Roy

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Hi Roy
Lincolnshire is NE of Northhampton and I live about 75 miles away, we pass through Towcester when we go down to the south coast, and we have relations in Bedford which is 24 miles away. It's very nice country side around there, even better if you work in it. I live in a small town on the coast very rural, which suites me down to the ground, it sounds like you enjoyed your stay in the UK, I intend to get over there sometime it's just finding the time. My son works for an electronics company in lincolnshire but at the moment he is in New York for a few days, so it sounds like it's two way traffic for electronic companys.

AL

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Well, my "Blue Book" showed up. Doesn't say much about the Scorpion, just that the MK I was made from 1973 to 1985 and the MK II from 1985 to 1993. The Mark II has a scope mount groove on it- the MK I doesn't.

Prices are interesting- one in "Mint" condition is listed as being $225 for the MK I and $250 for the MK II- with an extra 25% to be added if the box, manual and accessories are included and 'mint' as well. It also says to take 10% off if a "cocking aid" is missing- but I'm not sure what that means on this gun. It's "last listed Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price" is stated as $190.00- so it obviously hasn't gone up a whole lot in value over time.

So- sounds like the seller in this case found himself a copy of the Blue Book to use for reference. Of course, one might take the point-of-view that this book is used primarily for "insurance" valuation- not real world pricing on every gun. I got it just for somewhat of a reference point on things like this.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

Hi Eric if I remember rightly the cocking aid was a tube that sliped over the barrel as an extension to make it easier to cock, it was quite hard without it.

AL

newthings · New Member

Yes the cocking aid is the object at the far right in the photo.
Roy

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Ah- I see, thanks. Only 10% if that part is missing? Seems a bit low!