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Tinplate Briton & Limit push barrels. Rare?

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 3:47 pm
by Mattdale
Hi,
As I mentioned on my introduction I've recently bought a collection of vintage Air Pistols with a view to keeping my favorites and selling some at Kempton Park next month.

I'm going to pick out some interesting ones I'm having trouble putting a price on and see what you think regarding rarity and possible value.

Thsese are part of a group of push barrels that are in very good condition but are possibly quite rare (or so common they don't get much of a mention)
They appear in Dennis Hiller's book but there is very little online about them:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/158270726 ... res/Q8048N" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/158270726 ... res/314iir" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

'Made in England' indicates pre-war as after 1939 the had 'British Made' on them.
Both work well and have original insertion pins.

I know a few of you are fans of push barrels.

Any thoughts?

More to follow.

Thanks.

Re: Tinplate Briton & Limit push barrels. Rare?

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:07 pm
by fronteria
A tinplate Briton sold on AirgunBBS.com for £75-00 in 2007.

Re: Tinplate Briton & Limit push barrels. Rare?

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 10:24 am
by Mattdale
fronteria wrote:A tinplate Briton sold on AirgunBBS.com for £75-00 in 2007.
2007? That was a while ago....maybe a bit rare then.

Thanks.

Re: Tinplate Briton & Limit push barrels. Rare?

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 12:56 pm
by Certus
Hello,

The rarest and consequently the most valuable British made pop-out pistols are the early machined steel examples such as the first series 'Briton' and Lincoln Jeffries 'Scout'. Most of the later tinplate pistols were based on the Diana Mod 2 including the second series Briton which is why there is still much speculation about their exact origins.

The Limit and Garanta are the rarest and virtually identical to the pressed steel, second series Briton except for their markings. All of these are British made and are also very similar to the German Diana 2 except again for markings and screw threads.

The original manufacturer is unknown, but it's likely that the Limit was made on the same machinery as the second series Briton. The Limit was made between the 1930s and 1950s and is consequently easier to find than the Garanta which was only available circa 1933 - 1939.

Both of your pistols seem to be in good condition, but they are the most common variants and only of interest to a limited market, so I would estimate them to be worth around £40 - £50 for a private sale with the Limit being nearer the higher end.

These pistols were obviously aimed at the lower end of the market and consequently not very accurate, but still fun to collect and shoot occasionally.

Good luck with the sale.

Regards
Brian

Re: Tinplate Briton & Limit push barrels. Rare?

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:26 pm
by Mattdale
Certus wrote:Hello,

The rarest and consequently the most valuable British made pop-out pistols are the early machined steel examples such as the first series 'Briton' and Lincoln Jeffries 'Scout'. Most of the later tinplate pistols were based on the Diana Mod 2 including the second series Briton which is why there is still much speculation about their exact origins.


Good luck with the sale.

Regards
Brian
Thanks Brian,

I've got a 1st series Briton, I'll post some pics.