Are both these chrome Hy-Score pistols factory?

[45flint]

You see two versions of chrome Hyscores.  I always thought the ones with blue bottoms were factory but could they have made the all chrome as well? You seem to see as many of those?

[SpringerGuy]

Steve

I thought the same thing.  The all chrome such as one on Jimme dean's page are aftermarket in my mind.  Does anyone really know the answer?

Randy

[45flint]

Another collector said to me yesterday that getting that grip off is not easy to do a refinish. Someone on the British forum said he thought they came into Britain fully chromed.  They certainly could have changed how they did it over time?  The use of the white grips above certainly makes me wonder now.

[SpringerGuy]

Did Phoenix arms makes a chrome 800.  I thought their model had slab sides?  my phoenix arms is slab sided.

randy

[45flint]

Did Phoenix arms makes a chrome 800.  I thought their model had slab sides?  my phoenix arms is slab sided.

randy

Only slab sides.   If we could get serial numbers of these chrome pieces we might see a pattern that could help prove one way or another?  The change to all chrome or half chrome should be chronological.

[Pneumatic-Addict]

Steve,  I can't tell from the photos if the rear sights on those two are the same.  How about the left side roll engraving on the lower; do they both have it?

[45flint]

Steve,  I can't tell from the photos if the rear sights on those two are the same.  How about the left side roll engraving on the lower; do they both have it?

I think you are on to something.  Looking at a few pictures it looks like the early non-engraved base models were chromed in total.  Later when the base was engraved just the tube was chromed?  Makes some sense in that it was probably cheaper to just chrome the tube. As time goes on they always try to cheapen production. See pics, of non-engraved with white grip. Too many to not be factory?

[Pneumatic-Addict]

My blue book just says that both finishes were available; no variations of the two are given.  Could it be that some owners of both decided to mix parts from one with another? 

[SpringerGuy]

I have a number of early Hy-scores 800 without engraving but no chrome 800.  Phoenix Arms produced all chrome slab sided pistols.  My focus is only on US made 800s and I think if Dave's suggestion were true we would see blued 800s with chrome frames, iris etc. . . but I never have seen one.  So I vote for Steve suggestion maybe cost cutting elimitated the all chrome 800s.   My earliest 800s have no engraving and a brass barrel.  Do all the  chrome 800s have both features?

My collection is focused on Hy-score pistols, so I have examined a lot of these airguns.  I own every pistol model except a boxed 805 and most of the Hy-score rifles.  Guess it is time to buy a Chrome one too.  I think Hy-scores are striking airguns in chrome.

Also, since the grips were glued on at the factory how could someone chrome plate the gun without destroying the grips? 

Randy

[45flint]

Personally I don’t find the chrome Hy-Scores that attractive and the white grips always show the grim.  I never really wanted to add one to my collection as they also demand a premium.  Never liked nickeled guns as well.  Something about blued guns that always seemed right.

[Pneumatic-Addict]

I forgot to mention the grips.  "Tenite grips (walnut, petrified wood, ivory or onyx)"  One could build a sizeable collection of just model and grip variations.  BTW, the 803's and 4's were available in chrome according to the book.  Don't recall ever seeing one myself.

[45flint]

I forgot to mention the grips.  "Tenite grips (walnut, petrified wood, ivory or onyx)"  One could build a sizeable collection of just model and grip variations.  BTW, the 803's and 4's were available in chrome according to the book.  Don't recall ever seeing one myself.

Only one I have seen in a pic.

[Pneumatic-Addict]

Nice!

[SpringerGuy]

I have a number of early Hy-scores 800 without engraving but no chrome 800.  Phoenix Arms produced all chrome slab sided pistols.  My focus is only on US made 800s and I think if Dave's suggestion were true we would see blued 800s with chrome frames, iris etc. . . but I never have seen one.  So I vote for Steve suggestion maybe cost cutting elimitated the all chrome 800s.   My earliest 800s have no engraving and a brass barrel.  Do all the  chrome 800s have both features?

My collection is focused on Hy-score pistols, so I have examined a lot of these airguns.  I own every pistol model except a boxed 805 and most of the Hy-score rifles.  Guess it is time to buy a Chrome one too.  I think Hy-scores are striking airguns in chrome.

Also, since the grips were glued on at the factory how could someone chrome plate the gun without destroying the grips? 

Randy

[KWK]

You can get the grips off if you're careful. Some might be shrunken so those might not come. These are not easy guns to work on at all.

[HPP-Mechanic]

I can’t offer any knowledge about the chrome versions, but I have a question for anyone that can answer… I recently resurrected an early Hy-Score, and found that it has the metal piston ring. It shoots now, but am curious if a rubber o-ring would improve its power?

I still need to find the rear sight adjuster piece too… such a cool old airgun.

[45flint]

I can’t offer any knowledge about the chrome versions, but I have a question for anyone that can answer… I recently resurrected an early Hy-Score, and found that it has the metal piston ring. It shoots now, but am curious if a rubber o-ring would improve its power?

I still need to find the rear sight adjuster piece too… such a cool old airgun.

I would keep it the way it is as long as it works.  Just make sure you have oil in the piston to help compression.  Below is where you can get a replacement sight adjuster.
https://www.jgairguns.biz/800-c-78_309_586/hys716-rear-sight-elevator-p-4490.html