Office refugee: July 2021

Researching old replica model guns isn't so easy. There's plenty of good reviews and information on the new generation of airsoft guns but very little about replica models from the 1970's or the 1980's. Having already done some research on the UK company Sussex Armoury (see my article on this published in June 2021), I started to look at one of the first companies to distribute replica model guns in the 1970's - Replica Models Inc. and the related UK branch Replica Models UK Ltd.

Replica Models Inc. (RMI) operated from Alexandria, Virginia USA during the 1970's. They imported and distributed replica model guns made by Model Guns Corporation (MGC) of Japan. These guns were also widely distributed within the United Kingdom by Replica Models (UK) Ltd. of Hailsham, Sussex as well as a branch in Ontario, Canada. In the United Kingdom, Replica Models Ltd. traded under the name of Sussex Armoury.

Japan has a well established and thriving home market for replica model guns which are often referred to there as ’toy guns’ despite their realism. Japan has one of the strictest firearms laws found anywhere. This has fueled an industry producing accurate reproductions, both functioning non-firing and firing. RMI were one of the first to capitalise on this by importing and selling them in the USA, Canada and UK.

The RMI's distinctive trademark logo was first used on 1st April 1968. The logo was formally registered as a trademark in the USA on 2nd January 1973 and expired in 2003. It’s a similar design to the trademark used by the Japanese model gun kit maker Marushin. The model guns made by MGC and sold in Japan usually used the original makers logos on their weapons. Licensing laws prevented this when they were imported for sale to the USA so RMI fitted their own logo.

In 1980 RMI and a company called Unique Imports Inc. merged to create Collectors Armoury Ltd. in the USA. This marked the end for the distinctive RMI trademark in the USA.

The replicas sold by Collectors Armoury during the 1980's were made by the Model Gun Corporation (MGC continued making replica guns until 1994) and Marushin, who made blank firing guns. The Collectors Armoury guns of the 1980's were catagorised as follows:

1. Replica - non-firing guns made of machined metal.

2. Decorator - non-firing guns made from cast metal (these were cheaper than the Replica model).

3. Blowback - cap-firing guns made of machined metal and high-impact ABS plastic.

4. Blank firing - guns made of cast and machined metal.

I should mention that Collectors Armoury is still trading and has a good selection of model guns made by various makers.

This next example has a Replica Models (UK) Ltd sticker. These were still being sold until around 1982. A similar version was sold by Collectors Armoury during the 1980's as model number 300S (see catalogue extract below).

Replica Models (UK) Nickel plated Colt 1911A1

RMI (USA) 1911A1 black

Here's the three Colt 1911A1 models offered by Replica Models UK in 1973:

RMI Colt 1911A1 model No.300

RMI Colt 1911A1 model No.300S

RMI Colt 1911A1 model No.301

Collectors Armoury Colt 1911A1 from 1986

There's not that much difference between the 1970's version compared to the 1980's version. However, look closely at the photos above and you can see the 1980's versions have a small lanyard loop on the base of the grip frame and the trademark logos on the grips do not have a beveled edge like the earlier versions.

Some of the RMI old 'new stock' was still being sold in the 1980's by distributors in the UK like Phoenix Arms Company Ltd, who traded between 1983 and 1984.

An RMI box with Phoenix Arms Company sticker c.1983/1984

Most of the RMI replica guns were made of die cast metal zinc oxide alloy, sometimes referred to as 'pot metal'. This gave them a very realistic weight and look. Zinc oxide alloy is a softer metal compared to the stronger steel used for real guns. These early examples usually had all the correct makers markings stamped into the gun. One of the few giveaways was that they usually had 'Japan' stamped on one side of the gun or on the bottom of the grip frame. Otherwise it was quite difficult to distinguish them from a real gun. These were often given a simulated 'gun blue' effect using an electroplating method. This was more authentic than simply painting black, but would wear off over time. Many of the older examples usually have at least some of the black worn away, but this does add to the realism.

Some modifications were necessary to these guns to prevent them from being converted to fire live ammunition and therefore comply with gun laws. By ensuring they could not be made to fire they were not subject to firearms legislation and didn't need any licence. These modifications typically included a blocked barrell, blocked cylinder chambers on revolvers and no firing pin.

As already mentioned, RMI of the USA merged with Unique Imports to form Collectors Armoury Ltd in 1980. Replica Models (UK) continued trading until closure in February 1982. The UK boss of Replica Models Ltd, Richard Leonard Marriott-Smith continued trading under the name of Sussex Armoury. He sold the remaining RMI branded stock through Sussex Armoury.

Richard Leonard Marriott-Smith was still listed as being associated with RM UK when he filed a patent application on 16 October 1981 for modifying replica and blank firing guns. The extract below describes the scope of the application and goes on to include diagrams of the modifications. I wonder whether this was with a view to making their own blank firing guns? Sussex Armoury did later offer their own branded blank firing guns. I'm not sure if these were imported guns converted by NSP Development & Manufacturing Engineers on behalf of Sussex Armoury.

Back in the 1980's I owned a Sussex Armoury Colt Peacemaker model revolver. It was quite accurate in my opinion. One thing that let it down was the blocked cylinder so you couldn't see any dummy bullet heads from the front. I had a school friend who's father had access to machinery and he offered to drill it out for me. However, he returned it having been unsuccessful. There was just a slight drill recess but the drill failed to penetrate. I imagine it was some form of 'ceramic material' as mentioned above. It was also slightly angled to make drilling even harder.

Many of these older replica 'model guns' frequently appear on the second-hand market. The RMI versions can usually be identified by their distinctive and rather stylish RMI logo. This logo is usually on the hand grip but sometimes stamped in the gun metal. With such a vast selection of realistic airsoft guns now appearing on the market, these older non-firing replicas have become less popular.

Replica Models Inc. trademark on a Colt 1911 handgrip

I've always been interested in the 'old school' non-firing replicas which have moving parts that function like the real weapon. These early versions were generally well made and looked accurate. These were enjoyable to own, especially for a younger person (over 18yrs) who would be very unlikely to get a real firearm due to the cost and bureaucracy involved.

Both RMI and Unique Imports advertised extensively in the USA during the 1970's in publications such as Popular Mechanics, The Marine Corps Gazette, Boy's Life, Field & Stream. I find it amusing how they were introduced as ‘counterfeit’ guns.

RMI advert Field & Stream, October 1971

RMI advert - The Marine Corps Gazette, January 1972


RMI advert - Popular Mechanics, December 1975

RMI catalogue 1973 (US)

Replica Models UK catalogue 1973

My UK catalogue shown above uses many of the same pages as found in the US RMI version. It's interesting to see how the pricing has changed over the years and differences between the US and UK. For example, a Colt Peacemaker in 1972 was $19.50 in the US and by 1975 the price had increased to $29.95 (£12). In 1973 the UK price was £18.15 (based on handwritten prices in the catalogue), which sounds quite expensive for that time. The value of that today taking into account inflation would be about £225. The US 1972 price would equate to about £7.60 based on the exchange rate in 1973. That would, in turn equate to about £94 in today's money. If the prices written into the UK 1973 catalogue were accurate for that time, it would mean they were priced considerably higher when sold in the UK.

I've included scans of the whole catalogue at the end of this page, albeit with my own copywrite watermark added.

Unique Imports advert - Boys' Life, March 1980

RMI advert Popular Mechanics, April 1980

Unique Imports advert - Field & Stream, February 1981

During the 1970's I had a replica Colt Navy 1851 'Old Frontier' style revolvers. It's only now I know that it was an RMI replica as I can recall the plastic grip with their logo. Strangely enough someone had sawn off the end of the barrel leaving it shorter to resemble the Colt Navy pattern short barrel version or even the Colt Wells Fargo 1862.

The problem with that was that the barrel was solid so the end had no hole! Seems they gave up with the idea of trying to drill a hole into the end. The loading leaver was also missing. The early guns had these plastic grips as standard. As you can see from the Replica Models UK catalogue, they also offered grips in wood, simulated white stag horn and simulated ivory. Here's a 'photoshopped' image of how it looked. The actual barrel may have been a bit shorter than this image but not far off. I gave this away to a local charity shop following a house move around 1985. Perhaps because of the shortened barrel this was never a replica I was particularly fond of. If you live in the UK and now own my old replica please get in touch!

Sadly some of these replica guns have found their way to criminal circles after being modified to fire live ammunition (in the UK anyway). This is a highly dangerous thing to do since the metals used are not strong enough to withstand the forces produced from firing a live cartridge. It's possible such a gun could explode causing serious injury to the user.

Dating replica guns is quite difficult. Take the Colt 1911A1 handgun for example. These came in various different versions by RMI and later Collectors Armoury, such as the cheaper non-firing 'Decorator' model, a more expensive non-firing 'Replica' version and a 'blow-back' model and blank firing. There were a few with very minor modifications such as having a lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip. I believe the lanyard versions were sold in the 1980's. These also featured different types of black or brown grips made of plastic or wood. Most of the early versions had the RMI logo on a plastic handgrip. No doubt these grips were changed over the years by different owners, perhaps favouring wooden versions on the western guns.

I've noticed today that many of the online companies selling various different kinds of imitation firearms only show a few low resolution photos with only a brief description. Personally, I would want to see high resolution photographs showing all angles including front and back so you can clearly see what you're getting for your money. This would also reveal whether the barrel is blocked or it has a recessed block which makes it look more realistic. Some also strip down like original guns and some don't. Some revolvers have blocked cylinders which don't look good from the front. Japanese websites selling model guns often include many excellent photos so you can see exactly what you’re getting. In fact, the best information available can be found on Japanese language websites, forums and blogs.

The best source of information on old replicas in English I've found so far is from mp40modelguns forum.

If you prefer to check out the excellent selection of modern airsoft guns then I can recommend www.replicaairguns.com. They're one of the few who provide you with decent photographs, reviews and videos to check before making a purchase.