PROOF: WAMO Powermaster a Wham-O PRODUCT

[45Broomhandle]

On another forum I've been involved in looking for hard proof that the single-shot .22rf WAMO pistol from decades ago was actually a product of the big toy maker: Wham-O. It's reported by several sources that Wham-O either denied any connection or refused to talk about it. A mystery for we collectors.

A gentleman knowing what I was seeking, posted a picture of the packaging on a Wham-O Powermaster Slingshot he had just purchased at a local gun show. BOTH WAMO and Wham-O logos are on the package! It states that the Powermaster Slingshot is "a WAMO Product."

I had heard others say they had seen or at one time owned such a package, but here was photographic evidence. So, no more mystery. It's a Wham-O!!!

Now the collectors of Wham-O toys have another item to add to their Want List.

best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

THIS PHOTO HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER ADVISING ME THAT HE DID MIND IF I USED HIS PHOTO TO ADVISE OTHERS OF HIS FIND. SOMEHOW HE HAS FIGURED HE SHOULD BE PAID FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR KNOWLEDGE. SO, TO KEEP PEACE IN THE FAMILY, I'VE DELETED HIS "CONTRIBUTION." I NOW HAVE A NEW PERCEPTION OF GUN COLLECTORS. 45Broomhandle

And, here's the WAMO Powermaster .22rf pistol.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I am more impressed not with the name being both mentioned, but with the correct lower case spelling and flying saucer looking logo for wamo being correct, although the logo looks more like a Whee-lo wheel (as seen from the top) than a flying saucer. The red color helps. Of course in the ad I have attached, it is blue and so doesn't look like a Whee-lo wheel.

 

[45Broomhandle]

Hi Double Naught Spy. The ad you show is my photo of it in a July '56 American Rifleman magazine. Note the upward curve of the address at bottom right - that's my pic. The page was slightly bulged when I took the photo.

I've also got a large 8 1/2" X 11" glossy piece that came with the guns and it is very similar, but with a LOT more info.

I'm not familiar with this Whee-Lo brand you mention. Got a pic of it?

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[SDC]

The Whee-Lo was one of Wham-O's more popular toys, basically a magnetic top that runs inside and outside of a wire grip as long as you flick the grip up and down:

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

Seeing a new pistol for under $20 just depresses the hell out of me.

 

[JohnBT]

www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=219380&highlight=wamo+powermaster

See post #7 for a pic of the Powermaster .22. The thread is from 2006.

John

 

[JohnBT]

I thought everybody knew the original name of WHAM-O was WAMO. The frisbee collectors think so.

But I want one of these Wamo crossbows. Click on the link and then on pic #1 for the whole bow.

www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showim...&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0&format=0

Note the San Gabriel address. I don't think it's a coincidence that Wham-o was in San Gabriel too.

John

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Sorry 45Broomhandle, I didn't mean to steal your pic, but you see what I mean about the logo design? Correction, I meant to use your pic without permission, but not in a malicious manner or in a way that I would financially profit. It was for the interest of knowledge. No offense intended.

I see a Whee-lo picture is posted. If you looked at the wheel from the top - down you would see it looks like a red rectangle with a spike coming out of the top and bottom. In the pic you removed, the wamo logo was in red, but it is in blue in the pic I stole from you. So, the Whee-lo has a red wheel with the spikes that looked like the red wamo logo.

There, have I muddled up things enough?

 

[45Broomhandle]

Thank You...

Double Naught Spy you've given me a real chuckle. Thanks!

Over in another forum I'm involved in a REALLY lengthy discussion about this same subject. YOU DID NOT STEAL MY PHOTO! I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I just thought it was REALLY neat that someone was getting some use from it.

In my estimation, that's exactly what these online forums are meant to promote. A fast and convenient way for we collectors to obtain information and to share that info we may have which is needed by someone else. At least that is what I joined in for.

From now on, I'm including a little statement at the end of my posts which gives blanket permission to anyone who wishes to use my text or photos.

Thanks again for the laugh, best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle
(Permission is hereby granted to any user of this THR Forums to use any of my foregoing text and/or photos for their own use. 45Broomhandle)

 

[Fishcake]

More info needed on Wamo

45 Broomhandle,

I've been researching and writing about Wamo firearms for several years. I have the info you requested on the Kruger pistol (in both calibers) and I have a lot of info on the Powermaster and its TWO siblings. But I want to know what YOU know that I don't.

I would also like to use your excellent photo of that very nice Powermaster in my article

Are you interested?

By the way, I have the images that identify Wamo and Wham-o as being the same company. In fact, I may be one of the source you mentioned, because I published a large story about the Powermaster and its tie to two air pistols back in 1999.

Please either post or contact me, as I am researching a new Wamo article on their firearms (I'm a gun writer).

 

[45Broomhandle]

More About Wamos???

Hi Fishcake. Please note that I added the "permission" line at the end of my previous posting just to make sure anyone was welcome to use my stuff. The photo of the Powermaster is one I took of a gun I still own so you're certainly welcome to use it.

Not too long ago I abandoned my search for a Kruger. I realized I was accumulating too many guns that really didn't fit in with my FIRST LOVE: older, cheapie (in their day), 22rf, single-shot, made in US or Canada. The Kruger is NOT within those perameters.

The only exceptions now are the Mossberg Brownie, which I have researched and written articles on (now part of the Damguy Mossberg website, and used by the Havlins in their monthly Mossberg newsletter), and a unique group of .22rf semi-auto rifles made in France called Gevarm.

You mention that you wrote an article in '99 about the WAMO. I've not run across that one. Where can I find a copy?

As far as any info I may have about them, I'll be glad to share. I very much doubt if I have anything you've not already seen. But, let me know what else you need, and If I've got it or know where to find it, I'll gladly pass it on.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[Fishcake]

45 Broomhandle,

Well, get ready to cringe, because Wamo made a .22 single-shot rifle! I own one and know of one other. They also made a different .22 single-shot pistol called the Hamilton.

I am looking for a Wamo Hamilton single-shot pistol that has a similar action to the Powermaster. I'm also negotiating on a Powermaster. Oddly, I own the rarest of all Wamo .22 single-shots, and have had difficulty finding the one they sold in the greatest numbers.

As far as the Krugers, you can read about them here (I blog under the name B.B. Pelletier):

http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/11/nothing-new-under-sun-whats-problem.html

http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/10/another-12-caliber-airgun.html

Both of mine (I own a .12 caliber and a BB caliber Kruger) are in the box, but I can buy a Kruger by itself for $10-25 at most airgun shows.

I am about to write a blog posting about the .12 caliber Western Haig plastic revolver-looking single-shot that was not sold under the Wamo name, but was patented by one of the two Wamo founders and sold from a P.O. Box in Alhambra or San Gabriel (the homes of Wamo/Wham-o).

I'm also working on a very large Wamo article for Shotgun News. For that one I need any information I can get on Wamo. My article was in Airgun Revue #5, which is now a collectible in its own right. The Wamo Powermaster used the same frame as a CO2 pistol called the Hyde (of Alhambra), and Hyde later sold the rights to Daisy, who then manufactured it as the model 100 BB pistol. So that little gun got around!

I can copy the article for you, if you like. It has a ton of stuff, including the operating instructions for the Powermaster.

 

[45Broomhandle]

Hi Fishcake. It was your article at Pyramid website that more or less got me started on my search for a Powermaster. My forte' is: .22rf, single-shot, cheapie (in THEIR day), and made in USA or Canada. Not much interested in air guns. I rather quickly lost interest in finding a Kruger for my collection because it wasn't .22rf.

I'm getting rid of a LOT of excess iron that had earlier caught my attention, but is definately NOT within the parameters listed above. And, yes, I do have a nice Sheridan Knocabout in excellent condition with original numbered box. (Note correct spelling is ONE K)

About that Hamilton you mention, I'd surely like to see that one. If you can't post a picture of the markings, how about a description of the markings on it? I've got a couple of Hamiltons: 27 and 027, plus a Hoban 45 by the guy who bought out Hamilton and moved the company to another city.

I look forward to hearing more about that Hamilton.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ GGN

 

[Fishcake]

45 Broomhandle,

Tell you what I'll do. I have to search for the Wamo Hamilton pistol photos anyway, and when I find one I'll load it here for you to see. Are you not interested in the .22rf long gun Wamo made?

I believe the marks read "Wamo Mfg. Co., San Gabriel, Calif." No serial no. and no other marks.

Fishcake

 

[45Broomhandle]

Yes, I'm interested in a long gun made by WAMO. However, I have nothing to go on; no photos, no previous references, no doubt too few to show up at any of the thousands of gun auctions throughout the country.

Any further info or photos would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ GGN

 

[Fishcake]

45Broomhandle,

To show the pictures I promised you, I created a special post on my blog:

http://www.airgunwriter.com/blog/blog.html

I show the three different firearms and give a little information about them. Just for you I also posted an ad from a 1956 Science & Mechanics magazine that shows both spelling of the Wamo name in one ad. So, there is no more doubt about the company being one or two - it was always the same company.

Tomorrow at Pyramyd Air I will blog the Western Haig cap-firing BB pistol, one of three other Wamo/Wham-o firearms. These use toy caps to propel BBs or number 6 shot, but they meet the definition of a firearm, which is any device that propels a projectile by means of a chemical explosion.

 

[45Broomhandle]

Good info, Fishcake! The picture I used from another collector showed the Wham-O slingshot package with both logos on it. I jokingly thanked the guy who posted it and said something along the lines of: "I hope you don't mind but I stole your photo for....etc.." He posted back that YES HE DID MIND!

He ranted on that he spends a lot of time and money going to gun shows to find and buy this stuff, and he should get paid for his time and effort! WOW! I immediately deleted his photo (which I had used only a very small portion showing JUST the logos) explaing in the post why I had deleted it.

Many thanks for the pics and info on the pirate pistol and tommygun - and the old ad with both logos. Since they are both US-made single-shot .22rf, and somewhat elderly, yes, I would certainly be interested in obtaining one of each for my collection. And, I especially like the oddball stuff - both certainly fit in that category.

Do you have a copy of the July '56 American Rifleman? That is one of the lengthiest write-ups on the Powermaster I've ever seen. I also bought on eBay a very nice 4-page 8 1/2" X 11" pamphlet on the Powermaster, printed in color on enameled paper. VERY nice!

And, do you have the lengthy article in the 1985 Gun Digest about Single-Shot Pistols? Some good info on the WAMO there too. But they sure do sidestep the WAMO/Wham-O connection. They just say Wham-O, when questioned, either rejects the idea they ever produced a real firearm, or, they simply refused to discuss it.

Thanks again. Remember I'm in the market if you ever want to get rid of your pirate pistol or tommygun.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

Here's top of that big pamphlet. Unfortunately someone date stamped it!

 

[Fishcake]

45Broomhandle,

I'm going to watch this thread like a sugar maple tree in spring! Thank you for all those great leads and that nice date stamp! I may already have those references, but if not they go on the list. I will also set up a search of ebay for Wamo paper.

Like you, I have decided to shed some old iron to improve my collection. In my case there are some great old Daisy pump guns that have increased in value while in my closet, and they can now finance my latest escapade into Wamo stuff.

By the way, that Shotgun News article will have a lot more details and photos. I expect it to be in their July special issue - the color one with the slick cover.

Fishcake

 

[45Broomhandle]

Pamphlet Description

Fishcake, here is a description of the nice big pamphlet. It was neatly folded into thirds, just right size to fit in the gun's original box, I imagine.

FRONT COVER: Like a full-page ad with price, features, even pictures of a couple of the accessories: Soft Suede Leather Holster, and, California Redwood Locking Pistol Cabinet. (drool, drool)

INSIDE FRONT COVER: Left side has introduction The Powermaster Story by Jack Henneger; Safety Features; Simplicity of Parts; Range Tested, and The Powermaster's Purpose. Right side devoted to: INSTRUCTIONS Operations and Care of the Powermaster 22 cal. - Match Pistol.

INSIDE BACK COVER: Exploded View (photo of parts) with each numbered. Below is Parts List and Prices. (Holster $3, Cabinet $4 - ah, the good 'ole days).

BACK COVER: Entire page is Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting.

Very nice addition to go with the gun. Just gotta' find an original box now.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ GGN

 

[Fishcake]

45Broomhandle,

I have a copy of that pamphlet! I put a couple sides of it into my article in Airgun Revue in 1999, and I still have the artwork. I will look for an original.

You are correct, it belongs in the box, because the guy who copied it for me had it in his box.

Thank you, thank you!

Fishcake

 

[45Broomhandle]

Did his have a date stamp on it? I can't make out what the name at bottom of this stamp is since overstamped on the name.

Best ~ ~ ~ 45B

 

[Fishcake]

No, There is no date stamp on his.

Fishcake

 

[Wil Terry]

I Have Shot The Dickens Out Of A Wamo Powermaster 22 Pistol.

It belonged/belongs to an old pal of mine back in NW Ohio who routinely knocked squirrels outta the tallest trees with it. THAT GUN WILL SHOOT, and I do not mean maybe !!!
I was bull-of-the-woods back then with my COLT HUNTSMAN 22 pistol but it would not, or I could not, shoot it as well as that WAMO pistol. The only problem the WAMO had was the top was held to the frame by two screws that came in from the bottom. They continously losened; even carrying the pistol would losen them.

 

[45Broomhandle]

Neat info, Terry. Thanks for the input! I think that's the first time I've ever seen anyone post that they had actually shot one these little guys. They made a big point about the gun's accuracy in the pamphlet.

Fishcake I just checked out your info on the Pyramid website. Good going.

I find it REALLY weird that Wham-O these days would actually deny making any "real" firearms when there is so much proof available that they DID! (?)

There must be SOME good reason...

Best regards ~ ~ ~ GGN

 

[Fishcake]

Wil,

Thanks for the info on shooting. I have shot the Powermaster a few times, but you seem to be the man with the experience. And thanks for the note on the two screws loosening. The Tommygun is held in the stock with a single Allen screw that doesn't loosen. But the screw goes through wood instead of potmetal.

Last night I took the action out of the stock on my Tommygun and was amazed by how simple the mechanism is. The bolt is only retarded by its mass, by the weak striker spring and by the spring ejector that also serves as the loading guide. This is the kind of mechanism you could build with a file, some scrap metal and a lot of time.

45Broomhandle,

I think the denying is what attracts me most to these guns. I hate a coverup and cannot seem to stop picking at this story. There is so much literature, in the form of patents and magazine articles, that they should just embrace this as a part of what made the company. But I suppose there is a liability lawyer advising the Wham-o board to deny everything. I am beginning to develop a timeline on the Powermaster and the three cap-firing BB guns. The Hamilton pistol and Tommygun are still a mystery.

Thanks to your info on past articles about the Powermaster, I have purchased some old American Rifleman magazines to get that old article. I'll probably get a few vintage ads for other stuff, which I love to write about, as well.

I'm still looking for any reference to the Hamilton pistol or the Tommygun. And I'm still looking for the patent for the Powermaster. All the literature and guns I have seen say Patent Pending, which is sometimes used just to discourage copying for a few years.

Fishcake