1079

Unique I.C. Saps Berlin Marked Brass Barreled Flintlock Style Air Gun

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Unique I.C. Saps Berlin Marked Brass Barreled Flintlock Style Air Gun
The front of the lock plate is marked "A Berlin" above the frizzen spring and "I.C. SAPS" below the spring. The lock plate, hammer, pan, frizzen, and frizzen spring are iron, with the remaining components (including the barrel) brass. Blade front sight with the rear sight having been removed on a barrel that has been sleeved to a much smaller caliber. The area outside of this is the air jacket to store the compressed air. There is a gas relief valve under the barrel, which is tripped by an auxiliary lever inside the lock to activate the gas release, thus propelling the projectile (from the outside, the only clue to this not being a flintlock is the lack of a touch hole for powder ignition!). A 12 1/2" retractable iron rod (within an air piston) has been added to the butt. Full length stock with relief carvings flanking the cheekpiece and around the upper tang. A hollow brass tube has been inserted on the right side of the buttstock (reason unknown).
BBL: 38 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fine. The brass has an even aged patina. The action has a mixed gray patina with some pin point pitting. The stock is fine with a chip missing from around the lock and a few minor cracks on the forearm which has a few missing slivers of wood, along with some minor dings and scratches overall.