Product Description
DOCUMENTED “Wind Gun” French PAUL GIFFARD Patent Pneumatic Pump AIR GUN
Primarily Used for INDOOR TARGET SHOOTING/HUNTING
Here we present a French Paul Giffard Patent Pneumatic Pump Air Gun, made circa 1865 to 1890 in likely in Austria or Germany. The Giffard rifle was invented by Frenchman, Paul Giffard, whose brother, Henri, conducted the world’s first powered flight in a dirigible airship on December 21, 1852. I believe to honor that distinction, Giffard rifles occasionally have engraved balloons on their receivers and impressed into their buttplates. Giffard invented and patented this front-pump air-powered rifle in 1864 and he patented a gas rifle in 1873. This one has the serial number 2033, which probably puts its manufacture in the late 1860s.
Air guns represent the oldest pneumatic technology. The oldest existing mechanical air gun dates back to about 1580 and is in the Livrustkammaren Museum in Stockholm. This is approximately what most historians recognize as the beginning of the modern air gun. Throughout 17th to 19th century, air guns in .30 to .51 calibers were used to hunt big game, deer, and wild boar. These air rifles were charged using a pump to fill an air reservoir and gave velocities from 650 to 1,000 ft/s. They were also used in warfare, the most recognized example being the Girandoni air rifle.
Aside from indoor target shooting, guns of this style were used 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 required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder.
This exact example is pictured on page 596 of the “Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition”. The knob on the right of the breech rotates for loading from the top, and it uses a manual cocking hammer with a built-in pneumatic pump located beneath the barrel.
The overall condition is near fine. Original blue finish with delicate silver inlay on top. The action appears functional but we were not able to fully test it. The bore is smooth and dim. The stock is solid and has its original finish, showing some use. The chamber key is marked “P.GIFFA BREVET”. The tang behind the hammer is marked “GB/64” and behind that is the number 2033.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 20 inches.
Caliber: 6mm
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
www.ancestryguns.com
$2400
#233764