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LOT 254
Rare 19th Century Air Rifle with Shagreen Wrapped Stock Reservoir, Case and Accessories,
Retailed by James Beattie of London - Manufactured c. mid-1800s. The air gun itself is unmarked,
and has a period included James Beattie retailed case. James Beattie was active from 1832-1893, was
listed alone at 205 Regent Street in 1848-1863, and then with his son at the same starting in 1864,
according to listed gunmaker information translated from
page 71 of “Der Neue Stockel, Volume 1” by Heer. “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. The 21 inch round barrel has a brass liner
with fine-groove rifling and measures at approximately .34 caliber/8.5 mm, small blade front sight
and notch rear sight, a rotating tap action breech that loads from the top, concealed cocking key-way
and button trigger, and a shagreen (shark or stingray skin) wrapped metal stock air reservoir. Includes
an oak wood case with fitted green baize lined interior, a J. Beattie trade label on the underside
of the lid, with accessories including a Damascus air pump signed “J. BEATTIE, 205 REGENT STREET,
LONDON.”, a bullet mold, and wood-handled cocking-key.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 98% black painted finish visible on the barrel with some light
handling marks. The buttstock reservoir is fine with some age related flaking on the bottom, light
handling marks, and attractive shagreen. 75% original Damascus twist pattern visible on the pump.
Mechanically excellent. Case and accessories are all very good to fine with some scattered scratches
and handling marks.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 253
Finely Engraved 18th Century English Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Rifle by Wallis of Hull - Manufactured
c. late 1700s. Sunken gold rectangle maker’s marks with “Wallis/Hull” in two lines on both the lockplate and breech area
of the barrel. This is likely the maker mark of George Wallis, as another similar ball reservoir air rifle signed “G. Wallis”
was previously sold by Rock Island Auction Company (Lot 3399, December 2023); that example is photographed on
page 170 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. George Wallis (1731-1803) is listed as an active maker out of Hull,
England, according to listed gunmaker information translated from page 1348 of “Der Neue Stockel, Volume 2” by Heer.
This muzzleloading air rifle has a screw-off copper ball air reservoir. Ball reservoirs were in use since the late 17th century
and had the added advantage of being easily swapped out. 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. The 31 inch part octagon/round barrel has a brass liner with fine-
groove rifling and measures at approximately .38 caliber/9.5 mm, with a blade front sight (partially absent) and notch
rear sight with two folding leafs. Fitted with a full-length walnut stock with a checkered wrist and an iron ramrod with
brass tip. Features high quality ornate engraving consisting of floral and martial motifs with borders on the barrel tang,
lockplate, cocking lever, trigger guard, buttplate tang, and lower tang with a pineapple engraved finial.
CONDITION: Fine, retains much of the original brown finish, strong patterns of case colors showing on the lockplate, and
nearly all of the attractive bright gold inlay with some areas of minor freckling, and absolutely sharp engraving overall.
Stock is also fine with crisp checkering, some scattered light dings and scratches, and distinct edges. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000