Guns International #: 103277104

Category - Air Rifles - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Category
Air Rifles
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Antique European Victorian Style Stock Reservoir (Bell-Butt) Pneumatic Air Rifle

Description:
Antique Reservoir (Bell-Butt) Pneumatic Air Rifle
Single-shot vintage reservoir (bell/metal-butt) pneumatic air rifle — unknown maker. A Victorian-style reservoir pneumatic rifle with a leather-wrapped metal butt that forms the compressed-air reservoir. Smoothbore, single-shot design intended for round ball/shot.

Do not pressurize — internal condition unverified.

Configuration

• Type: Single-shot reservoir (tank-in-butt) pneumatic air rifle.
• Barrel: single, smoothbore.
• Action: top-hinged action with external hammer and valve assembly.
• Feeding: muzzle / single ball (smoothbore).
• Safety note: No modern pressure gauge or over-pressure relief present.

Construction / Features

• Butt: metal reservoir/tank integrated into the stock and wrapped in original/period leather; tank unscrews from the mechanism.
• Valve / fill: fill/valve located at the action end of the tank — tank screws onto the action and mates to a valve spigot; small square drive visible on the action’s threaded stub that actuates the valve.
• Threads: coarse, rounded profile (hand/early machine cut).
• Decoration: light engraved floral motifs on side plates.
• No visible modern fittings (gauges, safety valves).
   

Measurements

• Overall length: 54.5 in
• Barrel length: 37 in
• Outer barrel diameter: ~12.95 mm (≈0.510")
• Bore (inner) diameter: ~10.35 mm (≈0.407") — smoothbore
• Weight: 6.2 lb

Action / Mechanism

• Hammer-actuated valve system: external hammer compresses/operates valve that admits reservoir air to fire the projectile.
• Valve spindle: square-ended spindle visible on action when tank is removed (intact in photos).
• Tank attachment: tank unscrews from action; mating threads on action spigot engage tank nut.

Condition (visible, non-invasive observations)

• Metal: surface oxidation/corrosion and light pitting on barrel, action and reservoir exterior.
• Leather: tank wrap cracked, dried and degraded in places.
• Threads: male (action) and female (tank) threads present and functional though showing wear and corrosion.
• Valve: plug/spindle intact; internal seals and seats unverified.
• Interior: reservoir interior not fully visible — photo shows a plug or baffle at the tank bottom; internal condition unknown.
• Mechanicals: hammer and valve linkage move freely; no obvious cracks visible externally.

Dating evidence & likely origin

• Evidence: coarse, rounded thread profile; reservoir butt design; square valve spindle; engraving style.
• Likely manufacture: mid-19th century (Victorian era), c. 1850–1880 (best estimate).
• Origin: probable Continental Europe (Belgium / France / Germany common producers of reservoir airguns), but no maker’s marks yet identified.
• Note: locating hidden stamps under leather, inside tank, or on valve parts could narrow maker/date.

Summary
This is a mid-19th-century style reservoir (bell-butt) pneumatic air rifle with a 37″ smoothbore barrel and integrated leather-wrapped metal tank. The valve plug and coarse threadwork are typical of Victorian reservoir airguns. Condition is fair — externally corroded with degraded leather; mechanical parts appear present but internal reservoir and valve condition are unknown. Not safe to pressurize or fire until professionally inspected and hydrotested.

This piece is in fair condition, and as a ~180 year old piece is rare and great for any collection.

Safety (critical)

• Do NOT pressurize or attempt to fire. Unknown internal corrosion or thinning could cause catastrophic failure.
• Recommended tests before any pressurization: ultrasonic wall-thickness measurement and a hydrostatic pressure test by a certified facility.
• Valve internals and seals should be disassembled and rebuilt by an experienced pneumatic/gunsmith.
   

Restoration & value notes

• Restoration is feasible if the reservoir passes inspection; valve seals are typically replaceable.
• Conservative restoration (stabilize, conserve leather, valve rebuild) may cost modestly; full tank reline or sleeve is expensive.

 

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .40

Price: $1,400.00
Shipping: $60.00
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