In the course of my research, I have encountered many
excellent
vintage spearguns. I, personally, do not collect them, but still enjoy
seeing
them and learning something about them. I am always amazed at how much
creative
development has gone into spearguns design. It seems that every diver
has
made his own equipment at one time or another. By no means is this
page,
or links an exaustive source of information. It only contains a limited
number
of examples. They are in no particular order. The thumbnail image may
open
up into a whole page. This list of vintage spearguns may grow as
examples
are photographed and documented. Please note that each image links to
an expanded web page. This index page is contunually under development.
Hurricane
From the Ron Mullins collection.
Tairyo Rollergun Tairyo with Reel
From the Jack Prodanovich collection From the Ron Mullins collection
Hi-Sea speargun
From the Jack Prodanovich collection
Long Bluewater special
From Prodanovich collection
It appears that this all metal gun was made by Wally Potts
Pushrod speargun manufactured by Boyde Hall
This speargun was owned by Marty Pasos and given to
Jack Prodanovich.
Hawaiian Hinge Gun
From the collection of John Warren, note: I don't collect
spearguns.
The Safari speargun by Scubapro
This gun was previously owned by Jim Christiansen
The Dimitri Rebikoff vintage speargun
Designed and manufactured by the pioneer of underwater strobe photography,
this vintage gun shows many unique and inventive features. It is now in a private
collection.
Old Florida vintage speargun
Open water spearguns of considerable age can be seen in detail view
These guns represent some of the earliest sophisticated blue water hunting implements
seen. Judging from the craftsmanship, these guns have a significant place in the
historical record. More information is requested.
Another Old Florida Long Speargun
This is another fine example of a hand-built speargun used in Florida waters.
I have been told this was called a "Reef Rifle". Not much more is known
about this type of gun yet.
Southern Classic American blue water speargun
Another old open water big game speargun illustrates a unique sophistication
and inventiveness with it's hand-fabricated symmetrical brass sear mechanism.
The cypress wood gunbody and dimensional parameters suggest it is a cousin to
the gun above it. This gun is from the collection of Ron Mullins.
Le Fusil Sous-Marin Americain
This is a highly advanced rollergun of French origins. It was photographed in the Jack
Prodanovich collection. It was given to him as a gift from Aquacraft Company.
This rollergun is illustrated in Vane Ivanovic's, Modern Spearfishing, 1954.
San Diego Bottom Scratchers Dive Club made
by individuals, Jack Prodanovich and Wally Potts led to subsequent bluewater
speargun design. Images were taken at the 70th anniversary gathering of Bottom Scratchers
Dive Club and friends last year. The above gun is dated 1938.
Wally Potts of the Bottom Scratchers Dive Club made this gun in 1955 for Chuck Blakeslee, the
founder of Skindiver Magazine. Many details of this early speargun can be seen in later models.
Douglass Baby speargun
This speargun is a 'Douglass Baby' and can be seen on the website provided by
Paul McTaggart by clicking the linked icon. This vintage gun was described and
'invented' by the prolific French underwater inventor Monsieur Forjot. He had
numerous documented concepts, some dating as early as 1938.
Sea Archer Compound Hawaiian Sling
The closest thing I have ever seen to an underwater bow and arrow is the
Sea Archer. It shoots a spearshaft in a manner of a Hawaiian sling, but
uses disks with a CAM effect to wrap the bands around when cocking.
Although not technically 'vintage' it is an ingenious device worthy of a close look.
Oak wood Hawaiian Speargun made by Paul Horalan, Oahu, Hawaii
Traditional Pacific Island elements combined with contemporary materials
reveal a streamlined and effective speargun. Research reveals the
master speargun builder to be Paul Horalan.
Historical Spearguns on the Internet - Links to more information.
Please view these websites with interesting information resources. These links contain important historical references to world wide spearfishing and Southern California spearfishing history.
http://www.skindivinghistory.com
This is the historical information site of Ron Mullins. It is destined to be THE most complete source for historical information on equipment, early freediving pioneers and dive organizations. Please take a look at this website and bookmark it as a 'favorite'.
http://www.oceanhunters.com/HistoricalDivePictures/historical_pictures.htm
A great tour of images from the photo albums of some important dive clubs in Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s. The developer and owner of the website is Larry Heinrich, a member of the Long Beach Neptunes dive club.
http://www.spearfishing-museum.com Damir Schiller from Croatia is compiling information. He already has an interesting on-line museum collection.
http://www.spear-diver.com/oldguns.htm Gilbert Gacula, a Seattle engineer, makes contemporary guns, but shows historical Hawaiian spearguns made by his father. Please visit: http://www.spear-diver.com
http://www.worldspearfishing.com/history.php
This is the historical link section provided by http://www.worldspearfishing.com
This Spearfishing Guide website portal is a source of information on spearguns, spearfishing gear, forums, chat, history and more. It is a valuable resource for anyone who spearfishes.
LINK BACK TO BLUE GUN INDEX PAGE
Hurricane
From the Ron Mullins collection.
Tairyo Rollergun Tairyo with Reel
From the Jack Prodanovich collection From the Ron Mullins collection
Hi-Sea speargun
From the Jack Prodanovich collection
Long Bluewater special
From Prodanovich collection
It appears that this all metal gun was made by Wally Potts
Pushrod speargun manufactured by Boyde Hall
This speargun was owned by Marty Pasos and given to
Jack Prodanovich.
Hawaiian Hinge Gun
From the collection of John Warren, note: I don't collect
spearguns.
The Safari speargun by Scubapro
This gun was previously owned by Jim Christiansen
The Dimitri Rebikoff vintage speargun
Designed and manufactured by the pioneer of underwater strobe photography,
this vintage gun shows many unique and inventive features. It is now in a private
collection.
Old Florida vintage speargun
Open water spearguns of considerable age can be seen in detail view
These guns represent some of the earliest sophisticated blue water hunting implements
seen. Judging from the craftsmanship, these guns have a significant place in the
historical record. More information is requested.
Another Old Florida Long Speargun
This is another fine example of a hand-built speargun used in Florida waters.
I have been told this was called a "Reef Rifle". Not much more is known
about this type of gun yet.
Southern Classic American blue water speargun
Another old open water big game speargun illustrates a unique sophistication
and inventiveness with it's hand-fabricated symmetrical brass sear mechanism.
The cypress wood gunbody and dimensional parameters suggest it is a cousin to
the gun above it. This gun is from the collection of Ron Mullins.
Le Fusil Sous-Marin Americain
This is a highly advanced rollergun of French origins. It was photographed in the Jack
Prodanovich collection. It was given to him as a gift from Aquacraft Company.
This rollergun is illustrated in Vane Ivanovic's, Modern Spearfishing, 1954.
San Diego Bottom Scratchers Dive Club made
by individuals, Jack Prodanovich and Wally Potts led to subsequent bluewater
speargun design. Images were taken at the 70th anniversary gathering of Bottom Scratchers
Dive Club and friends last year. The above gun is dated 1938.
Wally Potts of the Bottom Scratchers Dive Club made this gun in 1955 for Chuck Blakeslee, the
founder of Skindiver Magazine. Many details of this early speargun can be seen in later models.
Douglass Baby speargun
This speargun is a 'Douglass Baby' and can be seen on the website provided by
Paul McTaggart by clicking the linked icon. This vintage gun was described and
'invented' by the prolific French underwater inventor Monsieur Forjot. He had
numerous documented concepts, some dating as early as 1938.
Sea Archer Compound Hawaiian Sling
The closest thing I have ever seen to an underwater bow and arrow is the
Sea Archer. It shoots a spearshaft in a manner of a Hawaiian sling, but
uses disks with a CAM effect to wrap the bands around when cocking.
Although not technically 'vintage' it is an ingenious device worthy of a close look.
Oak wood Hawaiian Speargun made by Paul Horalan, Oahu, Hawaii
Traditional Pacific Island elements combined with contemporary materials
reveal a streamlined and effective speargun. Research reveals the
master speargun builder to be Paul Horalan.
Historical Spearguns on the Internet - Links to more information.
Please view these websites with interesting information resources. These links contain important historical references to world wide spearfishing and Southern California spearfishing history.
http://www.skindivinghistory.com
This is the historical information site of Ron Mullins. It is destined to be THE most complete source for historical information on equipment, early freediving pioneers and dive organizations. Please take a look at this website and bookmark it as a 'favorite'.
http://www.oceanhunters.com/HistoricalDivePictures/historical_pictures.htm
A great tour of images from the photo albums of some important dive clubs in Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s. The developer and owner of the website is Larry Heinrich, a member of the Long Beach Neptunes dive club.
http://www.spearfishing-museum.com Damir Schiller from Croatia is compiling information. He already has an interesting on-line museum collection.
http://www.spear-diver.com/oldguns.htm Gilbert Gacula, a Seattle engineer, makes contemporary guns, but shows historical Hawaiian spearguns made by his father. Please visit: http://www.spear-diver.com
http://www.worldspearfishing.com/history.php
This is the historical link section provided by http://www.worldspearfishing.com
This Spearfishing Guide website portal is a source of information on spearguns, spearfishing gear, forums, chat, history and more. It is a valuable resource for anyone who spearfishes.
LINK BACK TO BLUE GUN INDEX PAGE