Yale Engineering Co., Sydney,Australia made the CRACAJAC Airgun.
To cock,the barrel was pushed inward until the piston engaged the trigger sear.The barrel was then pulled forward again.
Photo below shows the barrel pushed in.
CRACAJAC's had the date of manufacture on the stock.
AR shot was stocked by all hardware shops.We(the kids,the shooters)erroneously referred to CRAC SHOT as "BB's".Hazardously,one would put a dozen rounds in one's mouth.Then, after cocking one's rifle,one spat a round down the muzzle! YEP!That's what "one" would do!
CRACAJAC Air Guns were advertised extensively in Australasia from 1946-56.They were easily the most successful airgun made in the colonies.
As far as I'm aware,the only BB or slug gun made in New Zealand,was the "CeeBee"(Chester & Barclay Ltd.,the tubular steel furniture people). An immediate post-WW II phenomenon,this wee gun was first made at an Onehunga workshop. The "CeeBee" was a bit of a toy. In the tradition of many BB guns,it was a muzzle-loading,shot-shooter. Locally made,AR "Crac Shot",worked just fine in it.An under-lever mechanism was used to cock the mainspring. The "CeeBee" was a robust and rather unattractive gun that,as is said,"did the job".
The only marking on the otherwise anonymous "Cee Bee"".
How about this!Ron Young's three "Cee Bee"'s.
Another contemporary of the CRACAJAC was the Hornet. Made in Australia,this BB shooter was cocked by retracting a lever that lay parallel to the under-edge of the butt-stock when at rest. When pulled down and forward this lever retracted a rod attached to the gun's piston-until the trigger sear engaged with a notch. The Hornet did not sell well-maybe because the lever system was prone to pinch little hands.
Apologies for the rotten photos-the only ones I have!
