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  • /Lot 3311

Lot 3311:Girandoni System Multi-Shot Air Pistol by Contriner of Vienna

December 2nd, 2018|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3311

Lot 3311:Girandoni System Multi-Shot Air Pistol by Contriner of Vienna

December 2nd, 2018|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$6,000 - $9,000
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Rare Engraved and Silver Inlaid Large Girandoni System Pneumatic Repeating Air Pistol by Johann Contriner of Vienna

The six-groove rifled barrel is inlaid with "Contriner" accented by scrollwork in silver and finished in heat blue, Cantriner's maker's mark (Stockel 206) is at the center of the lock, and "IN WEIN" is engraved at the nose section of the brass side plate. Johann Contriner (aka Kantriner) was a founding member of the famous Austrian gunmaking family and is recorded as being active in Vienna from 1816 until 1827. This pistol dates to circa 1820 and was built based on Bartholomeo Girandoni's famous system first developed around 1779 and used by the Austrian military in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Girandoni system pistols are far rarer than the rifles. A tubular magazine for the balls is on the right side of the barrel, and the air is contained in a detachable butt reservoir. The barrel is fitted with a brass blade front sight and a notch rear sight at the breech behind a flourish of floral scroll engraving with a silver inlaid border. The top of the traverse breechblock has deep floral engraving. The lock, breech plate, and side plate are all adorned with traditional scroll engraving. The latter is also inhabited by a swan, and martial trophies are on the top of the breech plate and center of the lock around the maker's mark. The lower furniture is engraved with floral and scroll patterns. The steel butt reservoir has a barononial coronet (seven visible pearls) over a Gothic "S" at the top of the brass back strap. The face of the reservoir ring is marked "450" and "No. 3." The stock has a horn tip, molding, and raised carving around the fittings. Somewhat similar examples are pictured on page 516 of "The Blue Book of Airguns 12th Edition."

ConditionFine overall with a blend of strong original niter blue, plum, and straw colors along the barrel, aged patina on the brass, light spotting and scratches on the otherwise bright magazine and lock, gray patina mixed with some pitting and oxidation on the reservoir body, and some minor scratches and chips on the re-oiled stock. The mechanisms need some adjustments.
Details
ManufacturerEuropean
ModelAir Gun
TypeOther
ClassOther
Caliber / Gauge11 mm
Barrel9 inch octagon
Finishniter blue/bright
Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views5172
Catalog page135
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