Page 221 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 221
Unique and Rare Late 18th Century Grip Reservoir Repeating Air Pistol by Nicolas Bouillet of Paris, France - NSN, 11 mm , 10 7/8 inch part
octagon bbl., bright finish, metal grips. Nicolas Bouillet is listed as an active gunmaker between 1776-1800 out of Paris, France, and is said to have worked at
La Manufacture d’armes de Versailles, then opened business with a brother (name unknown) and became known for making air guns. This impressive air pistol
has repeating capability with a tube magazine located beneath the barrel for use with lead balls, a ball shaped grip reservoir, and features a trigger that flips out automatically upon pulling the hammer back to the full cock position, and the trigger automatically retracts after it is pulled. It loads out of the tube magazine by pulling the lever down that is located on the left beneath the breech and pushing up on a spring loading button located on the bottom of the magazine tube. The
smoothbore barrel measures at approximately .43 caliber/11 mm and has a blade front sight and notch rear sight. The lockplate is signed “BOUILLET/A PARIS/ INVENIT.” in fancy lettering. Light border engraving on the action, and floral engraving on the hammer. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/
PRIVATE/COLLECTION/465” hanging from the ring on the right of the forend. CONDITION: Fine with smooth gray and brown patina on the barrel, magazine, action and components, a mix of smooth brown patina on what appears to
be old finish on the reservoir grip, some scattered patches of light pitting, and defined maker markings. The magazine tube loading gate does not open, otherwise functions mechanically fine. This unique Nicolas Bouillet repeating air pistol is far ahead of its time, and would make a fine addition to any advanced antique arms collection! Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 222
Rare Documented Engraved 18th
Century Liverpool Marked English Ball
Reservoir Screw Barrel Air Pistol - NSN, 8.5
mm , 4 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut
grips. This exact air pistol is pictured and described
on page 169 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition” in which it states that bottom ball pattern air pistols, like this example,
are considered extremely rare. The smoothbore screw barrel is able to be loaded from the breech end with lead ball, measures at approximately .33 caliber/8.5 mm, and has a wrench lug/blade front sight and is marked “LIVERPOOL” on top. Floral scroll engraving on the breech, upper tang, sideplates and hammer. Checkered walnut grip.
CONDITION: Good with gray and brown patina overall, a few small patches of light pitting, scattered dings on the barrel, and mostly defined engraving. Grip is fine with some light handling marks, a few small nicks at the edges, and defined checkering. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
219
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BLUE BOOK OF AIRGUNS, 13TH EDITION BY BEUNING, ADLER, GAYLORD, & BEEMAN