TYPE I – BAILEY FIRST MODEL
Frame open at top, no decoration, 1000 shot. Perhaps made 1892-1895.
COLUMBIAN & BAILEY AIRGUNS
The Bailey Company was not successful and only about a dozen Bailey specimens are known today. In 1893, a partnership of Elmer E. Bailey and William G. Smith began to produce airguns under the Columbian trademark. Upon Bailey's death in 1898, the partnership reverted to William Smith. Smith's company was taken over by William Heilprin in 1907 and continued producing airguns until the early 1920s. The airguns of these makers are often referred to as Heilprin airguns, but Heilprin was not involved with most of the Columbian models or most of their production. He produced only the last model of the elite cast iron models and then shifted into sheet medal models - most of those rather quickly expired. The break-open Models L and S, based on Heilprin's patents, were not successful; only a handful of specimens are known today.
Bailey's famous second patent, #507470, issued October 24, 1893, is the key to the Columbian airguns. The patent's key feature, having a reciprocating air chamber enclosed within the gun's frame casting, was central to the Columbian airguns. The 1000 shot design format was a standard of the BB gun industry for over 80 years.
The best known examples of the Columbian line are the heavy, cast metal BB rifles which not only weighed far more than any BB guns of the time, but cost much more. When Daisy and other common BB guns were selling for $0.69 to $1.00, the Columbians were the elite airguns, selling for $1.95 to $3.50. Their solid construction, durability, and cost gave a boy who owned one tremendous neighborhood status.
William Johnson's 2002 book Bailey and Columbian Air Rifles is the absolute key to this complex line of airguns. Referring to these guns as Squirrel model, Buffalo model, etc. adds to the confusion in model identification since these animal figures were used on numerous different models. Only Johnson's book and CD can confirm the ID and give you the known variations and the many details.
Bailey's famous second patent, #507470, issued October 24, 1893, is the key to the Columbian airguns. The patent's key feature, having a reciprocating air chamber enclosed within the gun's frame casting, was central to the Columbian airguns. The 1000 shot design format was a standard of the BB gun industry for over 80 years.
The best known examples of the Columbian line are the heavy, cast metal BB rifles which not only weighed far more than any BB guns of the time, but cost much more. When Daisy and other common BB guns were selling for $0.69 to $1.00, the Columbians were the elite airguns, selling for $1.95 to $3.50. Their solid construction, durability, and cost gave a boy who owned one tremendous neighborhood status.
William Johnson's 2002 book Bailey and Columbian Air Rifles is the absolute key to this complex line of airguns. Referring to these guns as Squirrel model, Buffalo model, etc. adds to the confusion in model identification since these animal figures were used on numerous different models. Only Johnson's book and CD can confirm the ID and give you the known variations and the many details.
This line of airguns began in 1892 with the Bailey BB guns produced by previous manufacturer E.E. Bailey Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia, PA.
COLUMBIAN & BAILEY AIRGUNS Airguns Models
COLUMBIAN MODEL L
repeater with typical Columbian sliding cover sleeve for loading at rear of barrel. Trigger guard is the trigger. Shaped stock. Same metal buttplate as Model E. Nickel-plated. Stamped on top of barrel shroud: COLUMBIAN MODEL L 350 SHOT HEIL...
COLUMBIAN MODEL M
sheet metal cocking lever and trigger resulted in poor survival. Mfg. circa 1909-1911.
TYPE II – BAILEY SECOND MODEL
similar to First Model, but with embossed floral, animal designs, and checkering over entire frame. Large stag's head embossed just ahead of trigger. Barrel with shot tube often broken free of frame. Several variations. Usually marked: BAIL...
COLUMBIAN MODEL S
similar to Model L, except single shot, no buttplate.
COLUMBIAN MODEL E
Cast iron cocking lever and trigger, handsome design with large nickel-plated shiny areas, 34.6 in. OAL, 2.9 lbs. Mfg. 1912-1920s.
TYPE III – COLUMBIAN MODEL 1893
frame closed along top (as are all future models). Plain frame w/o markings or embossed designs, 13 in. brass barrel.
COLUMBIAN MODEL J
similar to Model E, except has 8 in. barrel and no buttplate.
TYPE IV – COLUMBIAN MODEL 1894
sitting squirrel embossed above trigger, date not cast on gun. First use of sliding loading sleeve cover.
TYPE V – COLUMBIAN MODELS 1895-1899
sitting squirrel embossed above trigger. Date cast on left-hand side of iron forearm.
Model 1898
various specimens known (including 500 shot carbine versions stamped JUNIOR on stock), specimen shown: 4.75 lbs., 34.9 in. OAL.
Model 1899
10-15 specimens known (including carbine version), rolled steel barrel.
TYPE VI – COLUMBIAN MODEL 1898 (BIG FRAME)
Running Buffalo (Bison) embossed above trigger on the left-hand side, standing buck on right-hand side, 1898 cast on forearm panel. Early production with heavy cast lever. About 10-15 black known, but nickel was offered. Original retail: $2...
TYPE VII – COLUMBIAN JUNIOR MODEL
sitting squirrel embossed above trigger. Short barrel, 500 shot. Marked JUNIOR on left-hand side of metal forearm. Distinctive cocking lever with ring loop at back end. Mfg. 1897-1898.
TYPE VIII – COLUMBIAN CHAMPION MODEL
Decorations are raised embossing but markings "Champion" or "Junior" are incised. Rabbit and bird figures. Regular Version: Marked CHAMPION on LHS of iron forearm. Early versions with brass barrel, later with steel barre...
TYPE IX – BARTEN COLUMBIAN MODELS
sitting squirrel embossed above trigger on both sides of receiver, slim forearm. Unusual cocking lever with loop far behind trigger, 36 in. OAL. Only type produced by Joseph Barten under royalty from Cora Bailey after Elmer Bailey's death....
Columbian Version
embossed COLUMBIAN in large letters on left-hand side of iron forearm. Rifle and carbine lengths.
Model 99 Version
identical to Columbian version except for name.
TYPE X – COLUMBIAN MODELS 1900, 1906, 1908
- Only model with floral, bird, and snake designs embossed above trigger and tiny foxes and squirrel embossed on iron forearm. Only model with dates cast in LHS panel behind trigger. Rifles and carbines.
Model 1900
perhaps over 200 known. (Shown: 34.8 in. OAL, 4.25 lbs.).
Model 1906
COLUMBIAN cast on left-hand side of iron forearm (specimen shown: 30 in. OAL, 4 lbs.).
Model 1908
same as Model 1906, except for cast date (early version only with OCT. 23, '93 pat. date, later version adds DEC. 8, '08 pat. date).
TYPE XI – COLUMBIAN MODEL 1902
- SS or Repeater, Running Buffalo (Bison) embossed on left-hand side and Deer on right-hand side above trigger, no checkering in metal, but the small frame is completely covered with embossed decoration, nickel finish, 27 ½ in. OAL. Mfg. 19...