Outstanding Giffard

Now I am not considered a Francophile and my use of superlatives is normally restricted to “Good”, “Very Good” or “Excellent” which is the condition of the items I try to stock and of course I am trying to sell them as well so I am not going to stock junk! On this occasion I would describe this item as Wonderful! Why? Simple, it is rare, interesting and in outstanding condition.
Giffard was a Frenchman who was related to the famous balloonist family of that name. In the 1880’s the patented Giffard System was widely thought to be the end to Gunpowder and Giffard’s rifle was christened the “Miracle Gun” on the basis that it used a CO2 gas cylinder that could hold 300 shots costing not more than a penny to fill.
The Colt Company paid Giffard $200,000 a fortune at the time, for the USA license, presumably to “bury” the technology and the French Government awarded him the Legion of Honour and a prize of 10,000 Francs. The press at the time reported that the gun would eradicate warfare and stamp out the evils of socialism and communism! It did none of these as, in the final analysis, accuracy and velocity depended on a constant delivered pressure and as a result consistency altered between a full charge and a diminished charge.
Nevertheless the system is interesting as , apart from the earlier copper reservoir air rifles and pneumatic air canes, this was the first modern pre-charged liquid gas system that is still seen in use today and not a huge amount of difference between some of the latest black plastic rifles being sold and this 100 year + veteran!
This particular rifle is in working order and has much original finish as can be seen and has a very nice walnut stock with sharp chequering. The Bakelite Butt pad is still extant and in good condition but with some loss where it has been stood on it but the Balloon Motif is sharp and attractive, Barrel length is 25”, overall length is 41” and the calibre is 8mm. The rifle is complete with the charging equipment and some spares and has clearly seen little use. This is sold as an antique.
For a fascinating account and copy articles on the Giffard Rifle see http://www.cinedux.com/the-giffard-co2-rifle.php The superb article is attributed to “Trev’s Air Gun Scrapbook”
If you were looking for an exceptional item, this is it and it would be difficult to improve on. The last air weapon I bought for myself was a Webley Hurricane Pistol, new in the box, as a young boy which cost me several months of Saturday Job wages. Given the eye watering value of this rare item which would have cost me several years of Saturday Job wages, I would consider part exchange on this item.

Code: 50115