Reilly 1840-1850 Air cane .30 Air Rifles

.A rare c1840 Compressed Air Rifle concealed in the shape of a Malacca staff walking cane, by Reilly of London.Although this has no makers engravings this has been inspected by a very well known auctioneers that deal worldwide in fine antiques have said that this particular piece was made primarily for one person by this gun maker .

Also they have not seen one like this in such fine condition with all original paint with only a couple of minor marks probably stored well and was unused.

covered with lacquer in imitation of cherry wood

The Rifle has a steel body and has a slightly tapered shape to mimic a wooden staff and is decorated with a painted brown exterior with rings and blemishes that resemble wood. On the top is a rounded horn pommel that acts as the but when firing the gun. The gun comes apart by unscrewing, at both the middle and at the bottom chape. Unscrewing the middle section reveals the mouth of the air reservoir with its valve and a threaded collar to screw on the air pump. ,date the gun to around 1840 (Later models tend to be engraved E.M. REILLY LONDON). The bottom chape unscrews to reveal a brass Tipped hickory ramrod and a brass rifled barrel with an inner diameter 8 mm (5/16 inch) (33 cal). There is a larger smooth bore surrounding it which measures 10.5 mm (7/32 inch) (45 cal) in diameter. On the outside of the body are the 2 aiming sights.

The air cane gun is missing the air pump.

It remains a very fine British air cane from a very respected maker, that would make a fine addition to any collection.

Reilly was a 19th century London gun-maker that made guns from 1828 to 1912 when the firm went bankrupt. Originally started by Joseph Charles Reilly, the air guns appear to be the invention of his son Edward Michael. All Reilly records were lost in the first decade of the 20th century. In August 1840 the firm’s advertising style changed from J.C. Reilly to just ‘Reilly’ which may mark the advent of the 23-year-old E.M. as a full partner in the company. Reilly, during this period, also became known for its air cane guns.

Size: 96 cm (37 ¾ inches)

Weight: 1833g