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LOT 3412
Finely Engraved and Gold Plated Harper Classic Air Rifle Cane Marked “TKB” with Dog’s Head Handle, Case and Pump - NSN, 22 , 31 7/8 inch round bbl., gold finish. This is a high quality Harpers Classic air rifle
cane, engraved and carved with a dog’s head handle especially for Toshiko K. Beeman, the wife of the well known Dr. Robert D. Beeman, circa 1985 with a circular brass plaque with the initials “TKB”. Dr. Robert D. Beeman also had a matching dog’s head air rifle cane made with his initials “RDB”, recently sold by Rock Island Auction Company (lot 1294, auction 89); his is photographed and described on page 628 of “The Blue Book of Airguns,
Thirteenth Edition” in which the book states, “Only ten of these models were imported into the U.S. under the anti-airgun cartridge law, these air canes were deemed dangerous weapons and became illegal in the U.K.! The British police gathered up and destroyed all but the few that were crossing the Atlantic at that time. The decorative dog head cap was carved by the artist from a photo of the Beeman’s wonderful, now deceased Labrador Retriever.” It functions using reusable Brocock brass air cartridges (not included) that resemble a shell casing and are able to be loaded with a .22 caliber BB at the front, the cane can then be unscrewed from the brass section for loading, with a folding trigger in the brass section. Carved walnut dog head handle, floral scroll engraving on the brass section, and a fine-groove rifled barrel surrounded by walnut. Includes a hardwood case, cane instructions, small parts, and an air pump. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retains 98% original gold plated finish on the brass, a few light scratches in the wood, and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. The included case is very fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3413
19th Century Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Gallery Air Pistol by Oscar Will of Zella-Mehlis, Germany, with Crank Handle - NSN, 7.5mm , 9 7/8
LOT 3415 Documented Tell Model 1 German Break Barrel Air Pistol - Serial no. 7, 177 , 9 7/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, hardwood stock. Manufactured 1912-1930s. This exact example is photographed on page 869 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. Smoothbore part octagon/round barrel with blade and notch sights (rear sight notch insert absent), marked “MADE IN GERMANY” and “7” on the underside of the barrel. The barrel breaks open for loading at the rear, and simultaneously cocks the spring inside the cylinder, in which a piston pushes compressed air when the trigger is pulled. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/1233” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% original blue finish on the barrel with scattered smooth brown freckling on the balance and 95% original nickel finish on the remaining iron surfaces with some light edge wear and scattered light scratches. The grip is also very fine with scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3416
European Ring Cocking Spring Powered Air Pistol - NSN, 22 , 7 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured circa late 1800s. Smoothbore octagon barrel that swivels to the left for loading at the breech, chambered in approximately .22 caliber/5.5 mm, with blade and notch sights. It has a ring for cocking the spring inside the cylinder, in which a piston pushes compressed air when the trigger is pulled. A faint/partial maker name is visible on the rear of the top flat section behind the rear sight. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/1214” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Good, with gray patina, mild wear, some patches of light pitting, and traces of old refinished blue finish at the edges. The stock is very good with scattered dents and scratches. The spring is weak, otherwise mechanically functions. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3417
Gaggenau Peerless “T” Handle Spring Powered Air Pistol - Serial no. 419, 22 , 7 1/8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured circa 1885-1895. Another example is photographed on page 554 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. Smoothbore octagon barrel chambered in approximately .22 caliber/5.5 mm, with blade and notch sights, marked with a Gaggenau crossed pistols manufacturer logo on top, “Tr. & L.N.Y.” on the left barrel flat, “PEERLESS” on the right barrel flat, and “419” on the underside of the barrel. The barrel tips up for loading from the rear. It has a “T” shaped handle for cocking the spring inside the cylinder, in which a piston pushes compressed air when the trigger is pulled. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2263” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original nickel finish flaking to gray patina on the balance, with sharp markings in the metal. The wood is very good with scattered mild flaking of the finish and scattered light scratches, with defined edges. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250 235
inch half octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. “OSCAR WILL/ZELLA St. BL.” inscribed on the top of the frame. Another nearly identical example is pictured on page 965 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. Gallery air pistols of this style were used primarily for indoor target shooting. Features a tip-up octagon barrel that loads from the breech, chambered in approximately .30 caliber/7.5 mm with a smooth bore, and dovetail mounted blade and notch sights. It functions through the use of an included crank handle 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/1210” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish on the barrel with smooth brown patina on the balance, a mix of smooth brown and gray patina with some scattered freckling on the casehardened surfaces, and clear markings. The wood is very good with numerous scattered scratches and dings, and defined checkering. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3414
Unique 19th Century Brass European Spring Loaded Dart Pistol with Case - NSN, 8.5 mm , 9 7/8 inch octagon bbl., silver finish, walnut grips. This European dart pistol is unmarked and functions through the use of a spring in order to launch darts. For cocking, the included ram rod is pushed down the end of the barrel against spring pressure, and then a lever located beneath the barrel must be pushed backwards for cocking of the trigger. It loads from the front with a dart that has a sharp metal tip and a hair tail. The pistol is mostly brass in construction with iron working parts and a checkered walnut grip. Includes a fitted red felt lined custom walnut case containing 7 darts (some are broken or incomplete), a screw-on foregrip handle, and cocking ram rod. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2904” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Very fine, with attractive golden bright patina on the brass with traces of original silver finish on the bottom area behind the trigger. The grip is also fine with some scattered scratches and handling marks and defined checkering. The spring is slightly weak, otherwise functions mechanically fine. The relined case is fine with light handling marks. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK BLUE BOOK OF AIRGUNS, 13TH EDITION BY BEUNING, ADLER, GAYLORD & BEEMAN
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK BLUE BOOK OF AIRGUNS, 13TH EDITION BY BEUNING, ADLER, GAYLORD & BEEMAN