Lot 5048
A remarkable pair of air pistols, Girandoni system by Störmer of Herzberg, circa 1820
Arms & Armour, and Antique Firearms | A108aw | Live auction | 361 Lots
Description
The octagonal barrels with eight-groove rifled bores in 9 mm calibre. Dovetailed brass front sights, folding iron rear sights. Laterally mounted cocking tube for round bullets with spring-loaded loading slide. The locks with charging cocks, each signed "Störmer", the lock side plates with safety lever engraved "Herzberg". Brass frames with screw-mounted, leather-covered pressure pistons. The leather cover of one pistol incomplete. Brass mounts, one trigger guard is missing. Inset wooden cleaning rods with bone tips (one is missing). Length of each 38 cm. Developed circa 1779 by Bartolomeo Girardoni of Tyrol, the air rifle with a lateral breech loading tubular magazine enabled several shots in quick succession. Ernst August Störmer (1776 - 1857) was appointed royal master gunsmith at the arms factory Herzberg in 1802.Condition: II - Questions about the lot?
