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LOT 3253
Engraved and Silver Inlaid 19th Century German Outside Lock Air
Pistol by Johann Adam Kuchenreuter - NSN, 7.5mm , 11 3/4 inch octagon
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Kuchenreuter family were active primarily in Regensburg, Bavaria,
from mid 17th century to the present and were among the best gunmakers in the Germanic states in the 18th and 19th
centuries. Johann Adam Kuchenreuter (1794-1869) was one of the most talented and most recognized members of the family
and was active until his death in 1869. During his lifetime, he was the court gunmaker for both the Princely House of Thurn & Taxis of Regensburg and the King of Bavaria. The clients have included Germanic kings and princes, Napoleon, Russian tsars, and other European
aristocrats. This air pistol features floral and border engraving on the rear sight, lock, left screws, left side plates, trigger guard and butt pommel, and has an octagon barrel with a smooth bore, blade and notch sights and is silver inlaid “J. ADAM KUCHENREUTER” on top. It slides forward for loading at the breech via a protruding handle through the bottom.
It has a brass cylinder with a wooden piston inside that is linked to the external hammer. Equipped with a single set trigger. The walnut stock has checkered panels on the grip. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/466” hanging from the trigger guard. Absent ram rod.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting a mix of gray and brown patina, defined engraving, some light wear and fading on the silver inlaid maker name, scattered light pitting, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass cylinder. Stock is also fine with defined edges, scattered light scratches and handling marks, a few spliced and repaired sections, a few scattered small cracks, and clear checkering.
Does not appear to hold air, otherwise functions fine.
otherwise mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3254
Documented Relief Carved German Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Gun Dated 1753 by Johann Valentin Siegling of Frankfurt -
NSN, 11 mm , 37 3/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. “Jo. Valentin Sigling IN FRANKFURT 1753” signed on top of the barrel. Johann Valentin Siegling was an active maker out of Frankfurt circa 1753-1764. It features a smoothbore part octagon barrel chambered
in approximately .43 caliber/11 mm, a large copper ball reservoir located on bottom, a bar lock with external mainspring, and a half length hardwood stock with horn end cap and floral relief carvings. “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. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2037” hanging from the trigger guard. This exact air gun is pictured and described on page 170 of “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”.
CONDITION: Very good, with scattered light pitting on the bright iron surfaces, golden aged patina on the brass, and
a mostly clear barrel signature. Stock is also very good with a few small chipped/ absent sections around the lock, a mild crack ahead of the left sideplate, some scattered light scratches and dents, and defined carving. Absent valve stem,
184
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN BLUE BOOK OF AIRGUNS: 13TH EDITION BY BEUNING, ADLER, GAYLORD, & BEEMAN