Page 192 - 89-FLIPBOOK3

LOT 3268
19th Century Engraved Ball Reservoir Air Gun by Lowe of Chester, England - NSN, 10.5 mm , 29 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Ball reservoirs were in use since the late 17th century and had the added advantage of being easily swapped out. Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting. “Wind guns” had several advantages
LOT 3267
Engraved 19th Century Side Lever Gallery Air Gun by Anton V. Lebeda of Prague, Bohemia - NSN, 7.5mm , 18 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Anton Vinzent Lebeda (1797-1857) and his son Anton Vinzent Lebeda II (1823-1860) are both listed as active gunmakers and engravers out of Prague.
“A.V. LEBEDA IN PRAG.” marked on top of the barrel.
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 .30 caliber/7.5 mm with a smooth bore, German silver blade front
190
floral pattern engraving on the cylinder housing, cocking lever, and fittings. A silver oval inscription plate located on the upper tang shows a noble crown
with nine pearls above the initials “FH”. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/094” hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% original blue finish mixed with smooth gray/brown patina and some scattered light surface corrosion on the balance, and smooth gray patina on the casehardened surfaces with crisp engraving overall. The wood is also fine with some light scratches and dents, a minor chip at the left corner ahead of the trigger guard, and defined checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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. “LOWE/CHESTER” inscribed on the left of the action. There are three gunmakers with the Lowe last name of Chester, England, that could be possible matches including a George, Thomas, and William. Features floral scroll engraving on the action, trigger guard and cocking lever. It is chambered in approximately .41 caliber/10.5 mm with a smoothbore part octagon barrel, a rotating faucet breech that loads from the top and a leather wrapped iron stock air reservoir. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/076” hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Good with a mix of original brown finish and smooth brown patina with scattered patches of light pitting on the barrel, smooth gray and brown patina on the casehardened surfaces, and defined engraving. The wood is very good as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with scattered scratches and handling marks, recut checkering, a few repaired sections visible at the edges, a small hole on top of the wrist, and a few minor to mild cracks and chips. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3269
Cane Air Rifle Set by John Blisset of London with Case Inscribed to J.W. Egerton - NSN, 35 , 20 inch round bbl., black finish. This cane air rifle or “air cane” measures 37 inches in overall length. It is painted black with a bone cap, small blade and notch sights, a fine-groove rifled bore, and loads at the breech. It comes in a presentation hardwood case with a silver plaque on top of the lid inscribed “J.W. Egerton” and John Blisset trade label underneath the lid, blue fabric lined interior, pump, bullet mold, tin containing lead balls and key. No further information has been found on a J.W. Egerton at this time. Air canes were popular in Great Britain from the 19th century until the end of World War I and were primarily curiosities occasionally used for informal target shooting and even hunting but rarely self-defense unlike cane swords. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% of the original black painted lacquer finish with some scattered small chips. The case is very good with scattered scratches, some chips, and some separated sections on the interior. Mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
sight, and mounted with
lever that is pulled back for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. High quality
a walnut forend and buttstock. It functions through the use of a right side mounted