EXTREMELY RARE, 1890 To Early 1900\\\'s German Gem Break Action Combination Air Rifle Imported / Retailed by Arbenz Birmingham Capable of Firing Air Gun Pellets, or 32 Rim Fire Obsolete Calibre Bullets or Shot Shells. Sn 17182. EXTREMELY RARE, 1890 To Early 1900's German Gem Break Action Combination Air Rifle Imported / Retailed by Arbenz Birmingham Capable of Firing Air Gun Pellets, or 32 Rim Fire Obsolete Calibre Bullets or Shot Shells. Sn 17182. None

Gem Style Air rifles were produced from the 1890's to 1920. The patents for Gem Air Rifles were made out in 1894 and adverts for Gems have been seen as late as 1911 (see page 124 of A Collector's Guide to Air Rifles by Hiller). The break action of these models is performed by depression of the thumb operated lever located on top of the breech. This is an extremely rare example capable of firing .32 calibre rim fire ammunition (bullets or shot shells) & lead air gun pellets (internet resources indicate that .177 calibre air gun pellet conversion tubes were available in the period, ours is without conversion tube). C1887-1911, the New York based American inventor / gun maker Henry Marcus Quackenbush produced this type of weapon designated the Quackenbush model 5, very similar in appearance to our German made Gem (see page 188 of A Collector's Guide To Air Rifles By Hiller). Our Gem has a 17 ¾” round blued steel barrel stepped to octagonal and is just measures 35” overall length. The smoothbore has just light staining consistent with age. It has a blade fore sight, and the rear sight is a notched block which forms part of the barrel release catch. The breech has a winged manually operated extractor plate to extract 32 RF ammunition and its rim fire firing pin is present and functions as it should. Its action, cylinder tube and curved butt plate retain most of their original factory nickel plating. The original walnut shoulder stock has just light bumps and bruises to be expected. The top of the barrel is signed ‘Patent Gem No. 10937 together with crossed pistols trademark. One barrel flat is marked ‘Arbenzs Patent’ next to proof / inspection marks (A. Arbenz was a Birmingham based importer / retailer of Gem Air Rifles, see page 127 of Hiller’s book). The inside of the breech block above the pellet loading hole is stamped with faint numbers which appear to be ‘15’ ‘19’ and ‘1078’. The spring arm has matching number ‘078’. The cocking, loading & firing actions work as they should. The price for this extremely rare piece of firearms / air gun history worthy of further research. As an antique obsolete calibre combination gun, no licence is required to possess in the UK if held for collecting and display. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 17182.