3357

Rare Documented German "Crank Action" Breech Loading Air Rifle from U.S. Cartridge Co. Collection

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Rare Documented German  Crank Action  Breech Loading Air Rifle from U.S. Cartridge Co. Collection
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Estimate: $3000 - 5000
Manufacturer: German Model: Crank Air Rifle
Date and location of production are unknown, but the style and mechanism suggest Germany, 16th Century or later, using a stock mounted internal spring-air assembly charged via a wheel lock-style crank, combined with a breech loading hinged barrel. Blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, with "Joh. Furstallen" engraved on the top flat. The barrel is secured in the firing pin with a small triangular stud, which extends down through the hand rest trigger guard, with the spanner nut for the air mechanism set into a brass escutcheon on the right side of the buttstock and a double set trigger. Straight checkered wrist stock, with a horn forearm tip, brass tipped ramrod, raised cheekpiece with contrasting wood inlay, "1334" U.S. Cartridge Collection number stamped twice on the buttstock and a brass buttplate. This exact gun is photographed in case No. 29, plate numbered 387 of the U.S. Cartridge Co. Collection of Firearms. It is described as "Sixteenth Century German Air-Gun, Cal .38".
BBL: 31 inch octagon
Stock: hardwood
Gauge: 33
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: 1334
Condition:
About good, with a mixed brown and gray patina on the steel, and a polished color to the brass with traces of deeper shades in the protected areas. The firing trigger is absent, the bore has been sleeved to its current diameter, and a bulge is visible in the buttplate. Wood is fair as repaired, with some reglued cracking concentrated at the revarnished forearm and scattered handling marks.