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LOT 1287
18th Century Engraved, Relief Carved and Gold Inlaid German “Flintlock” Stock Reservoir Air Rifle by S. Brinck Mann - NSN,
9 mm , 28 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. “S BRINCK MANN A COLBERG” gold inlaid on top of the octagon barrel. Though
this example offered looks like a flintlock long arm, it is actually a muzzleloading air rifle with proper deep-cut 8-groove rifling and a detachable stock reservoir.
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 air gun is modeled after.
Blade front sight, notch rear sight, floral relief carvings in the wood, and high quality engraving on the barrel tang, hammer and brass fittings, with a scene of cupids on the left sideplate, a cupid on the trigger guard, and a cupid with animals on the buttplate tang.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibits bright iron surfaces with some scattered patches of light pitting and freckling, most of the gold inlay, with attractive golden bright patina on the brass fittings, and sharp edges and engraving in the metal overall. The wood is good with various cracks, chips, filled in and spliced repairs visible, some scattered insect holes and
defined carvings. The lock spring is non-functional, needs work.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1288
19th Century Relief
Carved and Engraved Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun by Anton Schreiber of Graz, Austria - NSN, 8
mm , 28 1/2 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. “Anton Schreiber in Gratz” inscribed on top of the barrel at the breech. There is a maker listed
with this last name as active out of Graz, Austria circa 1833. 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. Information related to these can be found on
pages 213-214 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. This bellows air gun has a tip-up smoothbore octagon barrel 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 button located on the left sideplate. Dovetail mounted blade front and
notch rear sights on the barrel with floral engraving on the breech, and mounted with a walnut stock with floral relief carvings. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2036” hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Very good with scattered mild gray and brown patina/pitting on the barrel with sharp inscription and engraving, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass fittings. The stock is also very good with numerous scattered dings and scratches, a replacement oval section on top of the wrist, a few discreetly repaired sections, and defined carvings. The tip-up barrel sticks, the triggers function properly, otherwise mechanically untested.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
254 Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000