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Topic starter
13/12/2017 02:47:26
Flintlock style air rifles by Wentzlau of Neuwied (nos. 63, 145 and 190)
According to German auction house Hermann Historica, Wentzlau worked between 1730 and 1780 in Neuwied (in Rhineland-Palatinate, northwest of Koblenz) and Ehrenbreitenstein.
Here is an example, no.145, by Wentzlau when he worked in Ehrenbreitenstein, circa 1750/60. It has an octagonal barrel with seven groove rifling in 12.5 mm and an optional 9mm smoothbore brass barrel.
HH says of Wentzlau: "His custom of numbering his works is unusual for the period. Among others air rifles number 33 and number 212 are known in the Berleburg Castle weapons collection, and number 76 in the Kranichstein Hunting Museum. Some of his air guns have a screw in the pan, to allow the vent to be opened, permitting the piece to be used as a flintlock."
This is a muzzle-loading flintlock with an air reservoir in the butt, serial no.63. A spring loaded flap in the butt plate gives access to pump up the reservoir.
With thanks to Joe at www.joesalter.com for permission to re-post these pics. Note the screw in the pan which, if removed, allows the rifle to be used as a flintlock.
Some more pics of this rifle, thanks to Larry H:
Another Wentzlau:
Topic starter
22/02/2025 23:00:31
Wentzlau of Neuwied no. 145 stripdown
With thanks to Mark.
He says:
Finally, have a Wentzlau to add to my collection.
This one's lock work is bad and needs to be repaired. The airtank also shows lots of past repairs. Stock also has a repair at the top of the wrist, the place of it, that very well could have been from someone removing the airtank incorrectly, the repair is obvious, but looks aged so it'll stay as is. I did get to handle a wheel lock of his a few years back. That gun looked nice, but there was no way of knowing if the lock still worked or the tanks condition. This gun was definitely used, but doesn't appear to have been abused.
The neat thing with this one is that it still has what looks to be the original 9mm insert. I've only seen 3 Wentzlau guns in person, and each had the same looking rifling.
The plan is to get this one shooting. Even with its flaws, the gun definitely points and holds very well. And with the large bore or shot barrel, it'll be very useful, I think. I absolutely love the size of it.
It was an insane hassle getting it here, but it was definitely worth it in the end.
Hopefully, this gun will be brought back to life.
The lock and shot barrel are headed off to a guy that specializes in antique lock repair and restorations. He'll also get the shot barrel as he is a blacksmith and will be able to make a spanner wrench in the same fashion as would of been in the mid 1700's.A friend is going to try and fabricate a new airtank for the gun. The original exhaust valve needs to be cleaned up.
