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  • Auction Catalog #1044
  • Lot #2311
Lot #2310
Lot #2312

Lot 2311: 19th Century Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Tonks of Boston Mass

19th Century Side Lever Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Tonks of Boston, Massachusetts

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: October 5, 2023

Lot 2311: 19th Century Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Tonks of Boston Mass

19th Century Side Lever Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Tonks of Boston, Massachusetts

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: October 5, 2023

Estimated Price: $900 - $1,500
Price Realized:
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19th Century Side Lever Gallery Air Gun by Joseph Tonks of Boston, Massachusetts

Manufacturer: American
Model: Air Gun
Type: Other
Gauge: 25
Barrel: 17 1/2 inch round
Finish: brown
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 615
Serial Number:
Class: Other
Bore Condition: Slight Darkening - Light to moderate pitting
Rating:

OF - FAIR- some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.

WW - WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

Description:

Joseph Tonks was active c. 1860-1868 at 49 Union St., and 1 Marshall St., Boston, Massachusetts. "J. TONKS, MAKER/BOSTON, MS." marked on top of 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 approximately .25 caliber/6 mm with a smooth bore, and has a brass blade 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. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/1403" hanging from the trigger guard. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

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