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LOT 299 German Stock Reservoir Breech Loading Air Rifle by C. Stuckle of Laubach - NSN, 11 mm , 27 3/4 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This breech loading German air rifle appears to be from the late 1700s or early 1800s and is signed with the maker name “C. Stuckle in Laubach” on the top barrel flat at the breech. No further information has been found on the maker. It features an octagon barrel that loads from the breech end with a rotating faucet breech
mechanism with right side lever, and has the ability to switch between calibers by utilizing a removable iron smoothbore screw-in sleeve insert that measures
at approximately .32 caliber/8 mm, and has a rifled outer section that measures at approximately .43 caliber/11 mm, dovetail mounted blade front sight and notch rear sight, walnut stock with a horn end cap, and a metal buttstock reservoir. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were
quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2915” hanging from the trigger guard. Absent ramrod. CONDITION: Good, with scattered mild pitting on the iron surfaces, and bright golden patina on the brass. The period refinished walnut stock is also good with scattered insect holes, cracks, chips, scratches and reattached cracked sections above the lock. Mechanically fine, although the screw buttstock reservoir has a gap when tightened. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 300 18th Century Relief Carved European “Flintlock” Stock Reservoir Air Gun - NSN, 54 , 38 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Though this example offered looks like a flintlock long arm, it is actually a smoothbore muzzleloading air gun with a concealed detachable screw-off buttstock air reservoir, and a faux flintlock mechanism. Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were
quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder like
the flintlocks that this example is modeled after. Blade front sight, notch rear sight, lock with beveled edges and a goose neck cock. Fitted with a walnut stock with relief carved teardrop
flats and brass fittings. No visible maker markings. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/074” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Fair, with scattered deep pitting on the iron surfaces with a darkened brown patina, and golden aged and bright patinas on the brass fittings. The wood is about good with separated
horizontal crack in butt, scattered mild cracks, scratches, and dents. Mechanically needs work.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 301
19th Century Relief Carved and Silver Inlaid Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun - NSN, 7.5mm , 33 1/8 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. “F”H”F” in Burghausen” gold inlaid on top of the barrel at the breech. These bellows air guns were generally made in the late 1700s to mid-1800s, and were used primarily for indoor target shooting. Their basic feature is a conical bellows hidden in the hollowed-out
wooden buttstock. This bellows air gun has a tip-up smoothbore octagon barrel measuring at approximately .30 caliber/7.5 mm (possibly for use with 7 mm darts with a hair tail) that loads from the breech and releases with a lever located on bottom. Dovetail mounted blade front and notch rear sights on the barrel, and mounted with a walnut stock with deeply cut floral relief carvings. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2085” attached. Information related to these can be found on pages 213-214 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition.” CONDITION: Good, with a mix of original blue finish and smooth brown patina, scattered light pitting/freckling, and nearly all of the gold inlay on the barrel. The stock is also fine with some scattered scratches and dents, and defined edges and carvings. The brass exhibits golden aged and bright patinas. Absent trigger guard and plate on the underside around the barrel release lever, and an empty hole where a tang peep sight once resided. The tip-up barrel does not properly seat although it latches, the trigger functions, otherwise mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 302
19th Century Relief Carved and Silver Inlaid Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air
Gun by Kuchenreiter - NSN, 8 mm , 30 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. “IOH. ANDRE. KUCHENREITER” and designs silver inlaid ahead of a sunken oval silver maker’s mark on
top of the barrel at the breech. A Johann Andreas Kuchenreuter (Kuchenreiter), living between 1758-1808, is listed as court gunsmith to the princes of Thurn and Taxis. These bellows air guns were generally made in the late 1700s to mid-1800s, and were used primarily for indoor target shooting. Their basic feature is a conical bellows hidden in the hollowed-out wooden buttstock. This bellows air gun has a tip-up smoothbore octagon barrel with a sleeved insert (loose) measuring at approximately .32 caliber/8 mm (possibly for use with 7.5 mm darts with a hair tail) that loads from the breech and releases with a lever located on bottom. Dovetail notch rear sight on the barrel (absent front sight), and mounted with a walnut stock with deeply cut floral relief carvings. Information related to these can be found on pages 213-214 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. CONDITION: Good, retains half of an old refinished blue finish mixed with smooth brown patina, and retains most of the silver inlays with a mostly tarnished appearance. The stock is very good with scattered scratches, dents, mild cracks, an absent chipped front right section, and defined recut carvings. The buttplate sits proud. Absent front trigger guard screw and front sight. The sleeved barrel insert is loose at the muzzle end. Mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250 271