Early* The GAT J101 .177 Air Pistol. AI 695. Early* The GAT J101 .177 Air Pistol. AI 695. .177 Air Pistols

The Gat was produced from the late 1930s to the mid-1990s by T J Harrington & Co Ltd. of Magda Works, Walton on Thames, Surrey. There was a break in production during World War II, resuming shortly afterwards. Production finally ended with the death of Mr Harrington, increasing overseas competition and a declining public interest in 'nasty bits of machinery'. The 'push barrel' operating mechanism of the Gat is simple and distinctive. The mechanism is an 1871 invention by Quakenbush. Loading is by a screw breech at the rear. The pellet is pushed far down the barrel by a long pin on this breech, until it is past the air-port. If the breech pin is lost, the pistol cannot be loaded. See pages 93-95 of Hillers ‘The Collectors Guide to Air pistols’. The paint on the metalwork is in good condition and it cocks loads and fires as it should. A nice piece for the collection. NB As a post 1939 Air Pistol the restrictions of the Crime Reduction Act apply to the sale & delivery of this item. AI 631.