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  • Auction Catalog #88
  • Lot #227
Lot #226
Lot #228

Lot 227: 18th Century Austrian Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Gun

Documented Relief Carved 18th Century Unmarked German Top Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Gun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 19, 2023

Lot 227: 18th Century Austrian Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Gun

Documented Relief Carved 18th Century Unmarked German Top Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Gun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 19, 2023

Estimated Price: $3,500 - $5,500
Price Realized:
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Documented Relief Carved 18th Century Unmarked German Top Ball Reservoir Muzzleloading Air Gun

Manufacturer: German
Model: Air Rifle
Type: Other
Gauge: 9.5 mm
Barrel: 37 1/8 inch round
Finish: bright
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 2658
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 223
Class: Other
Description:

This unmarked muzzleloading air gun dates to circa 1760 and is attributed as German origin. This exact air gun is pictured and described on page 170 of "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition". It features a smoothbore round barrel chambered in approximately .38 caliber/9.5 mm, a large brass ball reservoir located on the lockplate placed off center of the line of sight (this is a lesser seen configuration as opposed to others typically having the ball reservoir located on the bottom of the stock), and a half length hardwood stock with brass forend cap, floral relief carvings and a sliding patchbox. "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/2914" hanging from the trigger guard. Absent sights. Includes a wooden ramrod with horn tip. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Rating Definition:

Good with polished bright iron and brass surfaces, and some scattered patches of light pitting on the iron. Stock is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with numerous scattered insect holes that have been filled in, scattered small chips and filled in repairs around the edges, with overall fine figure. The trigger and hammer function properly, but is non-functional in its current state, as the hammer appears to be missing a section on the inner edge that would interact with the air release valve, and the ball reservoir is plugged.



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