N/A Tell no.1 - vintage? Oh yes!

[Gunnertrones]

So, the Tell no.1 pistol came in yesterday, and today I got the chance to take some pictures and test it after cleaning the barrel and oiling the moving parts without taking it apart.
This pistol is 112 years old (produced in 1912), and have the serial nr 25, which is pretty low, and indicates this to be a very early production that started the same year.

My thoughts:
-Condition/appearance: pretty good for the age.
-Glam factor: high
-cocking/handling/trigger: surprisingly smooth
-power: medium/low according to today’s standard. (But I consider a new breach seal)
-precision: with this iron sights and my capability?….. not that good. (Ref picture): 12 meter 10 shots, and it is hitting right, without horizontal adjustment possibility, only vertical. (I held left for shot nr 11 and almost hit bullseye, but I will NOT bend the barrel!(I think)
-collectible: I would say yes.
-wall hanger? Definitely, but now and then some care and pellet slinging

 

[jkingrph]

Interesting, I would not mind having one in working order. My oldest air rifle is only about 50 years old, but powder burners go back to a Swiss Vetterli 1869, a rimfire bolt action that has been converted to centerfire. I have to make brass for it from either .348 Winchester or 8mm Lebel brass, cut down expand and fireform. Then some Swedish Mausers from 1898 and 1900 all in perfect shooting condition, they get quite a bit of use.

 

[vintageairguncollector@gm]

Thank you for posting this air pistol. It is quite impressive, I think your words werew Glam factor: high. If you replace the breech seal please post your progress for us to learn with you.

Again thanks for posting your prize. It is a great find.

 

[dv8eod]

A very awesome acquisition to your collection. Looking at the sights, the front appears to be dovetail mounted, meaning you can drift it to bring point of aim to center. Couldn't really tell how the rear sight is mounted.
Did it jump much when fired? Spring buzz?

 

[Gunnertrones]

A very awesome acquisition to your collection. Looking at the sights, the front appears to be dovetail mounted, meaning you can drift it to bring point of aim to center. Couldn't really tell how the rear sight is mounted.
Did it jump much when fired? Spring buzz?

Yes it does jump, so a firm hold is needed.
Not possible to adjust the front sight, it is welded to the barrel, and there is no wheel for sideways adjustment at the rear sight. Only up/down. But YES, the rear sight seems to be dovetail mounted when I take a closer look, and it is not in center with the barrel. A bit to the right (as expected from the test shoot). So there may be a solution for sideways adjustment after all.

 

[Gunnertrones]

Update:
Yes, it was possible to move the rear sight to the left by tapping it with a rubber hammer. This pistol is shooting straight on target now, but with the iron sights I am not able to do better than apple sized groups at 12 meter.
Never the less, the best part is that the pistol works very well , and has all the original parts intact. Not bad at all.

 

[dv8eod]

Glad there was a solution. Pretty sure you could get down to the size of a plum with some practice and wrist exercises .

Edit- Need to see some new targets.