Lot #3397
Lot #3399

Lot 3398: 18th Century Relief Carved European Stock Reservoir Air Rifle

18th Century Relief Carved and Silver Inlaid European Stock Reservoir Air Rifle by I. Haas

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: December 10, 2023

Lot 3398: 18th Century Relief Carved European Stock Reservoir Air Rifle

18th Century Relief Carved and Silver Inlaid European Stock Reservoir Air Rifle by I. Haas

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: December 10, 2023

Estimated Price: $3,500 - $5,500

18th Century Relief Carved and Silver Inlaid European Stock Reservoir Air Rifle by I. Haas

Manufacturer: European
Model: Air Gun
Type: Other
Gauge: 50
Barrel: 30 1/2 inch octagon
Finish: blue/silver
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 1598
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 227
Class: Other
Description:

"I.HAAS.NEUSTATD.B.OLMUTZ" silver inlaid on the top barrel flat at the breech with silver inlaid designs and a sunken rectangle with a deer. No information was found related to this maker at the current time, but the marking indicates they were active out of Olomouc ("Olmutz") in what is modern day Czech Republic. This high quality 18th century air rifle shares strong resemblance to a muzzleloading flintlock rifle of the time, although the "cock" instead only functions as a cocking lever and it uses a detachable walnut wrapped buttstock air reservoir. Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting. "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 like the flintlocks that this example shares resemblance to. Features a 7-groove rifled octagon barrel that measures approximately .50 caliber/12.7 mm with a removable screw-in smoothbore barrel insert that measures approximately .34 caliber/8.5 mm, brass blade front sight, brass fixed and folding notch rear sight, flat beveled iron lock, and high quality floral relief carvings along the edges and bottom of the stock, around the wrist and on the left of the buttstock. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/495" hanging from the trigger guard. An embellished air gun of this style would have been an advanced hunting weapon of the time, fit for an individual of high status. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Rating Definition:

Very good, retains 30% original blue finish with mild spotting and brown patina on the balance of the iron surfaces with some scattered light pitting, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass. The refinished wood is also very good with scattered scratches, a few chips and cracks at the edges, a few small discreet repairs, defined recut carvings, and attractive overall figure. Mechanically fine. The buttstock sits off center when tightened.



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