Lot 5161
A repeating air rifle, Girardoni system, 18th century
Fine Antique and Modern Firearms | A83s | Live auction | 725 Lots
Description
Octagonal barrel in 12.5 mm calibre, length 83.4 cm, rifled bore somewhat rough, on the upper side brass front sight and replaced, dovetailed rear sight. Spring-loaded wedge action, lateral tubular magazine for 20 bullets (lock mechanism not checked). Cock and lock plate of iron (reworked), action case and side plate of brass (repaired). Replaced forestock with non-matching brass furniture. Iron, somewhat pitted air reservoir as butt, the brass thread stamped "No: 2" and "2000". Wooden ramrod with bone tip. All iron parts reworked, stained, the bottom of the magazine as well as the trigger guard and plate cleaned and pitted. Length 122 cm.Extremely rare air rifle that is identical with the military model 1779 in large parts. The model 1779 was only produced in small numbers and was no longer used by the army after a relatively short period of service of 21 years. Cf. Gabriel, Die Hand- und Faustfeuerwaffen der habsburgischen Heere, p. 41 et seq. and cat. no. 109.
Condition: III - Questions about the lot?
