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Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 1:03 pm
by 45flint
Bruce, do you know of anyone with a more extensive collection of Haenel's than you? I am amazed given I am a new collector. Is the Haenel the focus of your collection or do you have extensive collections from other makers. You make me feel like such a rookie! Lol. Steve

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 4:16 pm
by USAF25
I am sure there is someone who has more Haenels, I believe that I have owned 84 Haenel air pistols in my lifetime. As for being a "rookie", even after 50 years of collecting, I am still learning and can't wait to find that next treasure. I have tried to limit myself to Haenels, Tell 3's and the early American 19th century air pistols and their accessories. There is just something about these early air pistols that is very intriguing and new information and variations seem to be turning up. The early air rifle ammunition containers are just another item that makes collecting so great.

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There are so many unique British spring air pistols, some you rarely see here in the United States. I was so pleased to get my copy of the Encyclopedia of Spring Air Pistols in October 2008. Every time I pick up John's book I learn something new or remember something I forgot. I was fortunate enough to hear from John before the book was published and am very grateful that I was able to contribute some valuable information.

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 4:36 pm
by 45flint
Thanks for sharing, the Tell 3 is my only other real dream but I doubt that will ever be realized. I too am drawn by all the various British and German variants. So much unique engineering in the early springers. I just purchased a EMGE Zenit this month and its mechanics are are so unique and metal blued just like a firearm, though stamped metal. My goal, is trying to find just one example that is as near to new as possible. Like holding a time capsule.

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:28 pm
by USAF25
Dreams...don't underestimate them. Years ago my Dad and I were driving to an airgun show in Baldwinsville NY. I pulled out a copy of Quackenbush Guns by John GROENEWOLD and it opened to the page showing the Excelsior air rifle. I told Dad, wouldn't it be great if we found an Excelsior. We did not have an Excelsior in the collection and never had the opportunity to even buy one. That day we saw one, $2,250 was the price. Out of our price range but we had a couple of pieces this collector wanted so we traded for it.

I could go on and on but one thing I have learned, follow any lead that you come across as quite often it leads to another even better item.

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 1:14 pm
by 45flint
Is their a best pellet to help cycle the repeater? I have read somewhere round balls are best?

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 12:00 am
by USAF25
I would recommend using round ball shot as I've heard that regular pellets jam up the loading mechanism. None of my boxed repeaters came with any pellet containers. The instructions in the box lid reference loading 15 pellets for .22 cal. and 20 pellets for .177 cal. The picture in the lid actually shows a pellet and not round shot.

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 12:18 pm
by 45flint
USAF25 wrote:I would recommend using round ball shot as I've heard that regular pellets jam up the loading mechanism. None of my boxed repeaters came with any pellet containers. The instructions in the box lid reference loading 15 pellets for .22 cal. and 20 pellets for .177 cal. The picture in the lid actually shows a pellet and not round shot.
MIne arrived about 2 hours before we took off for vacation so I really had time for a couple of tries but my standard pellets seemed problematic. Going to order round balls so they will be there when I get back. Modern pellets I think have long thinner skirts. I have a old pack of Hy-score pellets that came with my very early pistol and they seem much stouter. I'm not going to take target shooting too seriously with the Haenel so round balls will be fine. Just would like it to work. The gun is built with amazing quality, no different than a real Luger. I can see why these are collected. Could never be made today!

Re: Highest serial number on a Haenel 28R seen?

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:50 pm
by 45flint
USAF25 wrote:A few photographs, not the best. Through the years I have owned a number of Haenel air pistols, though my favorites are the Haenel Super MOD 28 and the Haenel Model 50 & 51.
Some of my Haenel repeaters.
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It is always nice to find a boxed Haenel. I have found that the Haenel Air Pistol and Haenel Mod. 26 boxes are the most fragile.

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The Haenel SUPER MOD 28 are an uncommon variation of the Model 28. My research so far has determined that the serial number range on the SUPER version goes from #16755 through #16914.
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My only two boxed Haenel Air Pistols but a rare combination, serial #3449 & #3450, got them about 12 years apart.
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Brian thank you for the serial number, very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy the pictures, Bruce Jr.

I have just acquired my second 28-R and both of mine have the short curved front sight. I see that in Bruce's collection all but one have the higher straight sight. I assume the higher sight is earlier and they progressed to the curved one. My 28-R serial numbers are in the mid 2500 and low 3000s. Wonder about when it changed. Trivial but curious.