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The following is from Geoffrey Ambridge, whose dad was one of the co-founders and wrote me.

"Die Casting Machine Tools Ltd. (DCMT), as it became known, started out in 1939 as a business called: "Toys and Houseware" situated in two large, under street-level, lock-up garages beneath a petrol/gas filling station forecourt in Green Lanes, Palmers Green, north London. After a couple of changes of nondescript brand names before 1950/51, such as "Slikka Toys" and "DCMT", the founder Directors finally decided on the name "Lone Star Products" inspired by, and following the production of, their first 'Western' style cap pistol called the "Lone Star" introduced in 1949 and which bore interior "Slikka Toy" markings. This was the first of over 220 toy guns over a span of some 38 years, produced by "Lone Star", the Toy Division of DCMT, the latter being responsible solely for the manufacture, construction and sale of the die-casting machines, themselves, to other producers of zinc-alloy and plastic castings. The "Lone Star" company expanded to two additional factory premises in and around Hatfield, in south Hertfordshire, U.K.; the larger being at Hatfield, was brand-new, built 1955 and opened the following year, followed in 1959 by an older factory at Welham Green, about two miles south of Hatfield."

You can find out more about Lone Star by visiting
Geoff's fine website about Lone Star at:
http://www.lone-star-diecast-bk.com/


(The following are my words about Lone Star...) Die Casting Machine Tools Ltd. (formerly of Palmers Green, London, U.K.)DCMT, as it became known capitalized on the surge of popularity of Toy Cap Guns around the world and made a lot of fine pistols that were for the American West.

Besides guns that were "generic" Lone Star also made guns that were dedicated to people like Roy Rogers. Some of their guns are among the rarest and are good finds for you collectors.
NICHOLS GUNS
(in Uncle Talley's order)









There were a lot of "Ricochet" Cap Guns and here's just one more of them. When you click on the photo, you will get a larger photo in which you can just barely read "RICOCHET" on it. One of the things you can trust with Lone Star Cap Gun boxes is that they will have garish colors. No subtlety here.
Photo by Chuck Quinn



At first I only had the box, but now I also have the Cap Gun. See below!
Photo by Chuck Quinn



Lone Star Model "P"
Here's the Cap Gun to the box above, but this one is a blued version. But maybe they all were; how would I know? Chuck's the one with all of the Cap Guns!

Photos by Chuck Quinn
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!



Lone Star Colt
Here is a beautiful example of your basic Colt 45 from Lone Star of England.

I am always amazed when I see the "Old West" Cap Guns from other countries. And to think we invented the "Old West." And, of course, all of the authentic Western Gibberish that goes with it. Thank you Mel Brooks.
All photos thanks to Richard Hewis
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!



Lone Star Range Rider
This must be one of the earliest Range Riders in the series if not THE earliest.

Photos by Steve Arlin

Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!



Here's 3 Range Riders by Lone Star from our friend Chuck Quinn.


At least Lone Star kept you legal by providing you a badge.

Photo by Michael Sheehan.





Lone Star Range Rider - MK II
This is the RARE Range Rider MK II without the removable cylinder. It is the English copy of the Stallion .45 Mark II by Nichols. It uses two-piece bullets just like the Nichols guns. The grips have the winged horse and five point star embossed on each side. It is a great item for the cap gun or western collector and a "must have" for the serious Nichols Collector.
All photos thanks to Rich Hall
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!



Lone Star Range Rider MK-II in BLUE! Click on photo to see larger photo.

From our friend Chuck Quinn.



This is the back side of that package of bullets in the photo above and it shows a variety of the guns that Lone Star produced at that time. Be sure to click on this photo to see the larger one so that you can actually read it.

From our friend Chuck Quinn.



Lone Star Range Rider - MK III
This is the RARE Range Rider MK III with removable cylinder. The earlier Mark II's did not have removable cylinders. It is the English copy of the Stallion .45 Mark II by Nichols. This one has the RARE and very HTF silver painted finish with flash chrome plated cylinder. It uses two-piece bullets just like the Nichols guns. The grips have the winged horse and five point star embossed on each side. This variation did not come with the red jewels as earlier variations. It is a great item for the cap gun or western collector and a "must have" for the serious Nichols Collector.
All photos thanks to Rich Hall
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!



Lone Star MK-III
Pretty rare set here—especially the doggone box! I don't know how Steve manages to find all of the good stuff!
These photos thanks to Steve Arlin
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!





Here are Lone Star's version of the 3-piece bullets. The ones on the top may be a different version than the ones on the bottom.
Photo by Jim Manning of JM Toys.








Lone Star Scout
See what you get if you ask? Here's a Lone Star Scout sent in by one of you viewers!

Thank you Ray Wickline.
All photos thanks to Richard Hewis
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!



And here's the Lone Star Scout, but with red grips.


Lone Star U.S. Cavalry Cap Gun
All I know about this gun is that it is marked "U.S. CAVALRY" on the side and it is made by Lone Star in England. Very unusual gun. You can see the unusual way to get to the caps also.

Many thanks to Richard Knowles for this photo!


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