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  • Auction Catalog #88
  • Lot #232
Lot #231
Lot #233

Lot 232: 19th Century Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun

Unique Documented 19th Century Relief Carved Unmarked Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 19, 2023

Lot 232: 19th Century Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun

Unique Documented 19th Century Relief Carved Unmarked Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 19, 2023

Estimated Price: $4,500 - $6,500
Price Realized:
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Unique Documented 19th Century Relief Carved Unmarked Germanic Bellows Crank Handle Tip-Up Barrel Air Gun

Manufacturer: European
Model: Air Gun
Type: Other
Gauge: 8.5 mm
Barrel: 30 1/2 inch octagon
Finish: bright
Grip:
Stock: relief carved walnut
Item Views: 1993
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 226
Class: Other
Description:

These bellows air guns were generally made in the late 1700s to mid-1800s and were used primarily for indoor target shooting. This exact example is pictured and described on pages 212-213 of "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition" in which the book states, "Their basic feature is a conical bellows hidden in the hollowed-out wooden buttstock." These air guns use darts that typically have a hair tail. This bellows air gun has a tip-up octagon barrel measuring at approximately .33 caliber/8.5 mm (possibly for use with 8 mm darts with a hair tail) with a smooth bore that loads from the breech and releases with a lever that protrudes through the bottom of the stock ahead of the trigger guard, dovetail mounted blade front and notch rear sights on the barrel, brass peep sight with glass insert mounted on the tang, and is mounted with a walnut stock with a checkered forend and wrist, deeply cut floral relief carvings and ornate brass inlays and furniture. Includes an ebony tipped wooden ramrod and crank handle. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Rating Definition:

Fine, with scattered brown patina with some patches of light surface corrosion on the iron surfaces, and attractive bright golden patina on the brass. The relief carved stock is also fine with defined edges and checkering, an old professionally spliced replacement front half, scattered light dents and handling marks, attractive figure overall and distinct carving. The action is very stiff, otherwise appears to function mechanically fine.



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