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LOT 3401 Cased Air Rifle Cane Set by Deane, Adams & Deane of London - NSN, 8 mm , 17 1/8 inch round bbl., brown finish. This “air cane” measures 35 inches in overall length, is painted brown, with small blade and notch sights and has a brass rifled bore that measures at approximately .32 caliber/8 mm. The screw-in brass tipped ferrule doubles as a ramming rod for loading. Functions by unscrewing the lower barrel section from the top section and screwing the included air pump in its place to fill the tank in a similar fashion to using a modern day bicycle tire pump. Once filled, the lower barrel section can be screwed back together with the top section and loaded from the muzzle end with a ball. To cock, the included square-tipped key is inserted into the hole near the joining section and turned. When the trigger button, located near the key hole, is pushed, the air from the tank inside the top section is released into the barrel. Includes a fitted walnut case with green felt lined interior, a brown finished air pump marked “DEANE ADAMS & DEANE, 30 KING WILLIAM St LONDON.” on the tube, bullet mold, winding key tool and oiler. CONDITION: Fine, retains 97% of the possibly period reapplied brown painted finish with a few light scratches. The case is also fine with some scattered light scratches and light age wear to the lining. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3402
Unique 19th Century Chinese Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun - NSN, 44 , 17 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. This air gun is only marked with a circled logo containing Chinese
characters on the left of the buttstock. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to
reload, and they also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This air gun has a tip-up octagon barrel that loads from the breech and locks using a spring loaded release with a chamfered surface at the rear of the breech for an air tight seal, chambered in approximately .44 caliber/11 mm with a smooth bore, blade front sight and notch rear sight, and is mounted with a hardwood buttstock with a checkered wrist. It functions through the use of a key (not included) that is attached to the right side for winding (similar to a wheellock) against spring pressure in order to fill the cylinder reservoir with air, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/1387” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Very good, with scattered mild pitting on the iron surfaces and bright patina on the brass. The stock is also very good with defined checkering, a mild chip in the top rear, and clear stamping. Mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3403 Engraved European 19th Century Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Gallery Air Gun by F. Erhard of Carlsbad - NSN, 30 , 23 1/4 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. “Fr. ERHARD. in NEUDEK. Bei CARLSBAD.” inscribed on the top barrel flat
ahead of the rear sight. No further information related to this maker has been located at the current time. Air guns of this style were used primarily for indoor target shooting. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and they
also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This gallery air gun has a tip-up octagon barrel that loads from the breech, chambered in approximately .30 caliber/7.5 mm with a smooth bore, dovetail mounted German silver blade front sight and notch rear sight, features floral scroll pattern and border engraving on the barrel, upper tang and
side plates, trigger guard and buttplate, and is mounted with a hardwood forend and buttstock with a checkered wrist, horn forend cap, German silver trigger guard and buttplate. It functions through the use of a crank handle (not included) that is inserted in the right side for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir with air, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/ PRIVATE/COLLECTION/848” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Good, exhibiting a mix of brown and gray patina on the iron, attractive bright surfaces on the German silver, and sharp engraving and barrel markings. The wood is also good with some areas of discoloration, scattered scratches and dents, and a few cracks visible on the right rear of the forend. One modern replacement Phillips head screw on top of the upper tang, and one partially absent screw head on the left forend sideplate. Mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 3404 Unique European Cane Air Rifle - NSN, 38 , 20 inch round bbl., yellow finish, highly figured walnut stock. Air canes were popular in Great Britain from the 19th century until the end of World War I and were primarily curiosities occasionally used for informal target shooting and even hunting but rarely self-defense unlike cane swords. This cane air rifle or “air cane” has no visible maker’s mark and measures 48 1/4 inches in overall length. The tube is painted what appears to be a honey yellow and was likely originally painted to give it the appearance of bamboo and has a removable deluxe walnut buttstock that doubles as a cane handle. Small blade and notch sights, a fine-groove rifled bore that measures at approximately .38 caliber/9.5 mm and loads at the muzzle. Removable ramming rod that doubles as the cane tip when inserted. No cocking key included. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/1331” hanging from the stock. CONDITION: Fine overall, retains 80% of the painted honey yellow lacquer finish with scattered chips. The walnut stock is also fine with scattered light handling marks. Mechanically untested. The sights are offset when the buttstock is affixed. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500