"STEAM PISTOL" Revisited

Just over two years ago, I finished my Steam Pistol (see here for more details), since then, the metallic finish had become tarnished, the markings had begun to peel, and the wood effect plastic handle had begun to get on my nerves.

So, over a quiet weekend, I found the time to re-finish the old girl:


Close-up of the new markings:

These have been etched on brass using salt-water electrolysis, a simple but very effective method:

The new handle has been hand turned on a lathe from a piece of cedar, or possibly mahogany (the joy of off-cuts!):
The metallic finish is a chrome-effect over gloss black, giving a very bright, highly metallic finish.

The "COMMODORE" Plasma Ray Pistol

Back from the ASYLUM (Europe's largest Steampunk Convivial), where I was able to deliver this little item to it's new owner:


It comes in a velvet lined box, and has a pair of tools and a flask of liquid plasma:


You might just be able to make out the label, and that it is "My Favourite!", according to one N. Tesla:


Delivered by hand to it's new owner, one Mr. Robert Rankin, the well known wit, raconteur and writer of far-fetched-fiction, this now completes a pair of rayguns, the other belonging to his good lady wife, Lady Raygun, which may be seen here.


The Commodore was most gratified to receive his raygun, and I shall hopefully soon have a picture of the presentation to share with you.

Workshop Day at Kew Bridge Steam Museum

A splendid time was had by all at Kew Bridge this past weekend, many frocks were modified, much tea was duelled with, and the Pax Britannica author Mr Jonathan Green came along and did a fine reading from his latest opus, as well as a finer report than anyone else could imagine:



Mr Green flatters me deeply with his words, and I am blushing!

Do come along to the next themed weekend, a Fashion event over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of July.

The Art Of Steampunk

As you may know, I exhibited at Oxford's Museum of the History Of Science last year, an exhibition that was curated by Art Donovan, further to this, the contributors to this show are to be featured in a book edited by Mr. Donovan.

Although this book isn't available until August, I thought it worth mentioning if only to publicly thank Mr. Donovan for all his hard work.

Available for purchase here, and here.

Kew Bridge Steam Museum Steampunk Exhibition

Those nice people at Kew Bridge Steam Museum are graciously hosting a display of Steampunk art from the four corners of the world, including a few items of my own construction:

My completed Rocket back pack, with Protective helmet,

completed especially for this Exhibition.

Every weekend afternoon, you can partake in the Ancient and Noble* art of Tea Duelling:

A dueller is caught mid nom.

The Exhibition runs until the end of August, and will host special events on most weekends, some of which I've been threatened to appear at.

More information on both the Exhibition and Kew Bridge Steam Museum may be found here.

The rules of Tea Duelling may be found here.

*Recent and Silly, not Ancient and Noble.

I am HUMBLED

Mr. Greg Broadmore, he of WETA Workshop's Dr. Grordbort rayguns fame, has expressed an admiration for my work, and I am truly humbled.

This was on WETA's own forum, in the section devoted to Grodbortania:

Dr. Grordbort's Infallible Forum

In the thread titled 'Sometimes, I make things...'

Go on and have a look, there are some very good artisans at work there, as well as many folk appreciating the work of WETA.