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LOT 235
19th Century Side Lever Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Tonks of Boston, Massachusetts - NSN, 22 , 18 5/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Joseph Tonks was active c. 1860-1868 at 49 Union St., and 1 Marshall St., Boston, Massachusetts. “J. TONKS, MAKER/BOSTON, MS.” marked on the top flat at the breech. Air guns of this style were used primarily for indoor target shooting. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and they also required less cleaning since they
did not require corrosive black powder. This gallery air gun is chambered in .22 caliber/5.5 mm with a smooth bore, and has a German silver bead front sight, dovetail mounted notch rear sight and is mounted with a walnut stock. It functions through the use of a right side mounted lever that is pulled back for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. CONDITION: Very good with some scattered light pitting/freckling on the iron surfaces, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, and sharp markings. Stock is fine, with scattered dings and dents, and defined edges overall. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 236
19th Century Crank Handle Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Lurch of New York - NSN, 30 , 20 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut stock. Brothers David and Joseph Lurch were listed as gallery gun makers in New York as early as 1863. “JOS. LURCH, N.Y.” marked on the top flat at the breech. Air guns of this style were used primarily for indoor target shooting. This gallery air gun has a swivel breech, octagon
barrel chambered in approximately .30 caliber/7.5 mm with a smooth bore, dovetail mounted beaded blade front sight and notch rear sight, and is mounted with a walnut forend and buttstock with a checkered wrist. It functions through the use of hand crank (not included) that is inserted in the right side for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/792” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of original blue finish and 50% original nickel finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The wood is good with scattered scratches, a few small chips, a crack visible on the left of the wrist, a reattached section at the toe, and clear checkering. Mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 237
Engraved 19th Century Crank Handle Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Lurch of New York - NSN, 28 , 21 1/4 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Brothers David and Joseph Lurch were listed as gallery gun makers in New York as early as 1863. “JOS. LURCH, N.Y.” marked on the top flat at the breech. Air guns of this style were
used primarily for indoor target shooting. This gallery air gun has a swivel breech, octagon barrel chambered in approximately .28 caliber/7 mm with a smooth bore, dovetail mounted beaded blade front sight and notch rear sight, and is mounted with a walnut forend and buttstock with a checkered wrist. Flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the breech, frame and trigger guard. It functions through the use of an included hand crank that is inserted in the right side for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/793” hanging from the trigger guard. CONDITION: Fair with scattered moderate pitting on the iron surfaces, with the brass and German silver surfaces showing some light wear with otherwise defined engraving. Wood is good with numerous scattered dents and scratches, a small crack at the tip of the forend, and a crack ahead of the left of the buttplate. The mechanism does not properly cock. Trigger guard screws absent, trigger guard detached but included. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 238
19th Century Unmarked Side Lever Gallery Air Gun -
NSN, 7 mm , 20 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Air guns of this style were used primarily for indoor target shooting. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and they also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This gallery air gun is chambered in approximately .28 caliber/7 mm
with a smooth bore, dovetail mounted blade and notch sights and is mounted with a walnut forend and buttstock. It functions through the use of
a right side mounted lever that is pulled back for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases.
CONDITION: Good, with 85% refinished blue finish with some scattered patches of light pitting. Wood is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with cracks on the sides of the forend, and scattered scratches and handling marks. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 239 Engraved Czechoslovakian Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Pistol - , 6.5 mm , 5 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Bold letters “AL JUNK IN TEPLITZ” relief engraved on top of the cylinder reservoir. Blade and notch sights and a smooth bore that measures at approximately .25 caliber/6.5 mm. Germanic style floral scroll and border engraving. Includes hand crank. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/ PRIVATE/COLLECTION/439” hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Very good with a mix of original blue finish and smooth brown patina on the barrel, and a mix of silvery gray and brown patina on the casehardened surfaces with sharp engraving overall. Grip is also very good with numerous scattered scratches and dents, and a few cracks and repairs visible. Mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
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