Greetings those of great knowledge,
I obtained an ABT Challenger Shooting Gallery dated 1946. I have seen a variety of these and am familiar with the side graphics change and head unit changing to plastic, to my knowledge 1952 or thereabouts. At least that's what I have been advised.
Can anyone tell me what the metal head unit looked like when it left the factory in '46? Was it painted or left silver, and what color were the "challenger" letters and numbers as well as the creases in the top portion? I've seen them red, red and black, head unit painted gold, and any variety of obviously non original paint jobs. Paint has been in the crease, on top of the crease, and none at all. There's a common theme among those that claim originality but nothing concrete that I can say with confidence is the right one.
Also I know its only original once - to that end the red paint on the head unit (only painted letters and numbers red) looks amateurishly done and I'd like to restore that head part only. Any thoughts on that? Side graphics are good, instruction decals inside the glass show a lot of age, but legible.
Thanks again to all. I know one of you knows the answer! Or probably a bunch of you.........