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289
LOT 300
Rare Documented, Engraved, Relief Carved and Silver Inlaid Austrian Girardoni Repeating Grip Reservoir Air Pistol - NSN, 9.5 mm
cal., 7 5/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. This impressive embellished air pistol utilizes the Girardoni repeating system,
and this exact example is photographed and described on pages 598 and 601 of the book “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. The
Girardoni (sometimes spelled “Girandoni”) is easily the most famous early air rifle (pistol in this case) or windbuchse largely thanks to the fact
that for many years it has been associated with Lewis & Clark and their famous Corps of Discovery Expedition. It is widely believed that they either had
a Girardoni or a very similar design by Isaiah Lukens of Philadelphia. The Girardoni was designed by Bartolomeo Girardoni around
1779 and is also significant as one of the first widely used repeating martial arms, with a magazine tube on the right side of the
barrel for use with lead balls and a breech block that is able to be pressed sideways against spring pressure for loading/repeating
capability. The rifles were notably used by Austrian sharpshooters from 1787-1815. Because the air tanks took around 30 minutes
of pumping by hand to bring to full pressure, the riflemen had assistants that repressurized the reservoirs initially and later also
had more efficient wagon mounted pumps. “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. This attractive example is silver inlaid with maker marking “GIRARDONI” on top of the octagon
barrel and signed “in Penzing” on the lock, chambered in approximately .38 caliber/9.5 mm with fine twelve-groove rifling, dovetail
mounted blade front sight, notch rear sight built into the brass frame, a walnut stock and a leather wrapped metal stock reservoir.
Features silver inlaid floral and martial motifs on top of the barrel at the breech, and engraving on top of the brass
frame, sideplate, lock, hammer, trigger guard and fittings. Floral relief carving on the bottom of the walnut stock with
checkered forend. Absent ramrod. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2913”
hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Fine, with traces of blue finish in protected areas of the iron with bright surfaces on the balance, a few
minor patches of pitting, nearly all of the original silver inlay, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, and sharp
engraving and markings. The leather is also fine with scattered handling marks and some light age related wear. The
stock is fine with some light scratches and handling marks, and distinct checkering and carvings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,000 - 10,000
As pictured &
described in
Blue Book
of Airguns,
Thirteenth Edition
LOT 299
Rare Cased Engraved,
Gold Inlaid Girardoni
System Repeating
Stock Reservoir
Sporting Air Rifle
by Fisher of London
with Accessories -
Manufactured c. early
19th century. “---FISHER.
LONDON---” signed in
gilt on the top barrel
flat at the breech. There
are a few Fishers listed
as active gunmakers
around the timeframe
this Girardoni air rifle
was made, with the
maker possibly being
Cornelius Bird Fisher, listed as an active gunlock maker between c. 1799-1824 at 9 Litchfield St. and
relocated to 39 Greek St. in Soho, per “Gunmakers of London 1350 - 1850” by Blackmore. The Girardoni
(sometimes spelled “Girandoni”) is easily the most famous early air rifle or windbuchse largely thanks to
the fact that for many years it has been associated with Lewis & Clark and their famous Corps of Discovery
Expedition. It is widely believed that they either had a Girardoni or a very similar design by Isaiah Lukens
of Philadelphia. The Girardoni was designed by Bartolomeo Girardoni around 1779 and is also significant
as one of the first widely used repeating martial arms, with a magazine tube on the right side of the
barrel for use with lead balls and a breech block that is able to be pressed sideways against spring pressure for loading/repeating capability. They were notably used
by Austrian sharpshooters from 1787-1815. Because the air tanks took around 30 minutes of pumping by hand to bring to full pressure, the riflemen had assistants that
repressurized the reservoirs initially and later also had more efficient wagon mounted pumps. “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. This attractive Fisher of London made sporting rifle is chambered in approximately .42 caliber/10.5 mm with a 32
1/8 inch octagon barrel with fine micro-groove rifling, dovetail mounted blade front sight, dovetail mounted notch rear sight with two flip-up leafs, a full length walnut stock, hardwood cleaning rod with a brass end beneath the
forend, and a leather wrapped metal stock reservoir. Features high quality floral and border pattern engraving on the brass surfaces, lock and hammer, with martial motifs engraved on the trigger guard, sideplate, and on top of the
receiver with a central martial trophy incorporating a stand of flags around an unsigned oval panel. More information on Girardoni air rifles can be found on pages 598-601 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”, as well as
pages 75-77 of the book “The Mortimer Gunmakers 1753-1923” by H. Lee Munson, in which the book states, “The Girandoni design was copied by a number of continental gunmakers, especially Contriner of Vienna, but in England
copies seem to be very rare.” Includes a fitted green felt lined mahogany case, one extra buttstock air reservoir, air pump with combination wrench/pump handle, ball mold, tools, and some extra seals.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally restored, retains 85% brown finish on the barrel and magazine tube, 90% bright niter blue finish on the right side mounted breech block spring, attractive lightly aged golden patina on the brass,
nearly all of the gilt signature on top of the barrel, defined engraving, with some light handling marks and a few minor dents in the walnut stock, and some minor edge wear in the leather on the buttstock reservoir. Mechanically
functions. Case is fine as restored, with some scratches, and a few minor cracks and chips. Girardoni system rifles are rarely encountered in any form!
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000