Dr. Robert D. Beeman's estate auction of historic air rifles and pistols
- Thread starter Humdinger
- Start date
As others have said, the linked video is great.
I knew that Lewis and Clark carried at least one airgun, but I had no idea what the Austrians were up to --in 1780! .
I was hoping to see him send a few of those .46 caliber balls downrange.
It's not surprising to learn that after the Giordini became prohibitively expense to manufacture in large numbers, they were given to snipers.
I knew that Lewis and Clark carried at least one airgun, but I had no idea what the Austrians were up to --in 1780! .
I was hoping to see him send a few of those .46 caliber balls downrange.
It's not surprising to learn that after the Giordini became prohibitively expense to manufacture in large numbers, they were given to snipers.
Upvote 0
Some of his guns will be going into a small museum that is being put together and should be open in about 2 to 3 years. The building has already been purchased for it. It will be in a small town in S. WI and when open will be free to the public to see. The goal is to also have the opportunity to let people see and some to possibly fire an original antique big bore airgun. It will be run entirely by donations and investment by the 2 owners.
There will be other airguns and firearms there along with some other historical items. The entire endeavor is not cheap, and the airgun community has helped over the years with buying, trading and selling...if it were not for the many people out there, this would never happen. A long time goal has been to be able to show some of the things that you may not get to see...and hopefully with what little we can acquire, there will still be enough to peak some peoples interest.
There will be other airguns and firearms there along with some other historical items. The entire endeavor is not cheap, and the airgun community has helped over the years with buying, trading and selling...if it were not for the many people out there, this would never happen. A long time goal has been to be able to show some of the things that you may not get to see...and hopefully with what little we can acquire, there will still be enough to peak some peoples interest.
Upvote 0
I thought Daisy invented airguns.................................
People are really amazed to see some of my prewar BSA collection. Even among the gun community they have no idea they even exist. Much less 18th and 19th century airguns.
People are really amazed to see some of my prewar BSA collection. Even among the gun community they have no idea they even exist. Much less 18th and 19th century airguns.
Upvote 0
Interesting stuff. I do like to read about the history of airguns and how they developed.
I feel fortunate, as an airgunner for the last 50 years, to have seen airguns go from low powered shooters with minute-of-a-tin-can accuracy, to the modern high precision, high powered ones available today.
I'm strange (told that frequently - LOL! ) but between the Giradoni and a modern PCP, I would chose the one that shot best... in thinking about that a bit more I'd probably just go for the modern PCP as parts are readily available.
The Giradoni is way-cool but I would not invest that kinda money in an airgun to look at - no closet queens here, all my airguns see a lot of use!
Maybe the rare/special airguns in Dr Beeman's collection should be displayed in a museum for all to appreciate.
Cheers!
I feel fortunate, as an airgunner for the last 50 years, to have seen airguns go from low powered shooters with minute-of-a-tin-can accuracy, to the modern high precision, high powered ones available today.
I'm strange (told that frequently - LOL! ) but between the Giradoni and a modern PCP, I would chose the one that shot best... in thinking about that a bit more I'd probably just go for the modern PCP as parts are readily available.
The Giradoni is way-cool but I would not invest that kinda money in an airgun to look at - no closet queens here, all my airguns see a lot of use!
Maybe the rare/special airguns in Dr Beeman's collection should be displayed in a museum for all to appreciate.
Cheers!
Upvote 0
NRA would just sell it off I looks like the NRA maybe liquidating them.
More on the National Firearms Museum
Six months ago we posted on reports that the firearms collections at the NRA National Firearms Museum (which are worth millions) may be being secretly sold off to raise cash. What was very public, …
nraindanger.wordpress.com Upvote 0
A lot of people think that items donated to a museum are safe from resale, but museums decommission stuff, and to the auction it goes. I imagine that the NRA museum gets way more stuff they can ever dream of displaying and a ton of duplicates.NRA would just sell it off I looks like the NRA maybe liquidating them.
More on the National Firearms Museum
Six months ago we posted on reports that the firearms collections at the NRA National Firearms Museum (which are worth millions) may be being secretly sold off to raise cash. What was very public, …
Upvote 0
If you enjoy looking at pics of old airguns or learning about them, feel free to drop in to my not-for-profit gallery of vintage airguns. It's funded entirely by donations from people who, like me, are genuine collectors and airgun enthusiasts. 
Upvote 0
I don't even know how to thank you for that fabulous work. Thank you. I really must make a contribution. I owe it to you. I have learned so much from your incredible site.
I have to get around to sending pictures of a 1910 ( EDIT; I KNOW BETTER THAN THIS. IT'S A 1908! ) Light Improved Model D I have with no regular roll stamping. Everything is engraved apparently at the factory. IDK It doesn't even say Improved Model D on it. But certainly is one.
I’ve never seen a BSA prewar with factory engraving. Maybe 1?
Some quick pics.
This is a rare gun. LOL! Nothing I have compares to Dr Beeman’s collection, though. Always an honor to have my things featured on your site
I have to get around to sending pictures of a 1910 ( EDIT; I KNOW BETTER THAN THIS. IT'S A 1908! ) Light Improved Model D I have with no regular roll stamping. Everything is engraved apparently at the factory. IDK It doesn't even say Improved Model D on it. But certainly is one.
I’ve never seen a BSA prewar with factory engraving. Maybe 1?
Some quick pics.
This is a rare gun. LOL! Nothing I have compares to Dr Beeman’s collection, though. Always an honor to have my things featured on your site
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Thank you Karl. A contribution to the gallery's running costs will be greatly appreciated, especially a recurring one of dollar or two a month.
Extraordinary BSA that one. I've also never seen one of that vintage without the roll stamping.
Upvote 0
how long were rifles like this made.? i like the cocking handle like this with the drop down lip?
Upvote 0
That type cocking lever were for the most part made from 1906-11 when the side button levers came out.
This one's 1906. Second batch "BSA Air Rifle". The second batch of 1000 made. The earliest guns with this lever are hard to find. 1911-16 side button levers are more common. and front button guns made 1919-20 are fairly common as well. 1921-39 guns aren't so common. Hard to find those years. BSA did not make as many. Particularly the 30's. Those were sparse years.
This one's 1906. Second batch "BSA Air Rifle". The second batch of 1000 made. The earliest guns with this lever are hard to find. 1911-16 side button levers are more common. and front button guns made 1919-20 are fairly common as well. 1921-39 guns aren't so common. Hard to find those years. BSA did not make as many. Particularly the 30's. Those were sparse years.
Upvote 0
Just wanted to drop this link in this thread. Taken from a thread on another forum. Beautiful airguns.
Upvote 0