Giffard CO2 Pistol

Giffard CO2 Pistol - 6mm.

With thanks to Paul for these pics (and to Richard):

With thanks to Sean Campbell, imaging manager of the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West in Cody, Wyoming, for permission to post this pic of a gun held in the Cody Firearms Museum. The blurb accompanying this gun follows the pics.

Accession Number: 1993.8.19

Date : 1855-1870

Dimensions: L: 45.5 in, Barrel length: 22.5625 in, H: 7 in

Credit Line: Gift of Thomas K. Hutchinson

Remarks: Paul Gifford patent gas pistol

Synopsis: firearm- pistol- airgun- Saint Etienne, France- wood- steel- .22- Paul Gifford patent gas pistol

Giffard CO2 Match Pistol.

With thanks to Tim for these pics.

See this thread for the Giffard match rifle, which shares the same pattern front sight and like this pistol has a rear sight that can be moved along a graduated bar:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/giffard/giffard-air-rifle/#post-1459

Giffard CO2 Match Pistol - High Resolution Photos.

With thanks to Tim for these pics:

Giffard CO2 Match Pistol - Stripdown and Serial number location.

With thanks for these pics to Jochen:

Giffard CO2 Match Pistol - Prototype.

With thanks to John M for these pics, taken at the Kempton Park show in June 2017:

Giffard CO2 Match Pistol - David Swan Collection.

With thanks to Rod Meek of Anderson & Garland Auctioneers http://www.andersonandgarland.com) for permission to post these pics of a gun auctioned on 16th September 2016.

Auction blurb:

"A Giffard 4.5cal. CO2 pistol, no. 532, circa 1890, with tap loading canister action, the muzzle stamped ''Manufacture Francaise D' Armes Et Cycles Saint Etienne'' and proof marks, the lock plates engraved with floral scrolls, the grip of chequer cut walnut, engraved domed pommel with shaped finial, 17 1/4in. overall length."

Hammer Price: £1,150.00

Giffard CO2 Match Pistol - Custom Carbine Conversion.

Giffard CO2 Pistol - detailed pics 

These pics were posted at website  http://www.waffenhandelimspessart.de/

Giffard CO2 Pistol (cased)  

This pistol sold at Holts Auctioneers in London recently for £3,300 hammer. 

The blurb was:

"MANUFACTURE FRANCAISE D'ARMES ET CYCLES, ST ETIENNE 
A CASED .177 CO2-POWERED AIR-PISTOL, MODEL GIFFARD'S PATENT', no visible serial number, 
circa 1895, with round, blued, 11in. barrel signed by the maker, dove-tailed blade fore-sight, elevating tangent rear-sight, blued, scroll engraved slab-sided receiver with rotating loading tap for ball and external hammer, detachable reservoir under the barrel (numbered 3787), chequered walnut grips with domed iron pommel with central finial, spurred triger-guard and adjustable trigger, complete with a slightly later 'Manufrance' wood case lined out in the continental fashion for this pistol together with a reservoir spanner."

Giffard CO2 Pistol with factory holster 

Giffard CO2 pistols - cased pair

With thanks to Nick and Horst ( http://www.horstheld.com ). Note that this pair have attachments to the trigger guard to which hand guards were affixed for duelling practice (not sure much duelling was still done at that time?!).

Apparently, wax projectiles were used for this activity and adverts have been spotted showing "heavy leather floor length coats and mesh face masks for protection" (source: Lawrie Amatruda, airgunbbs.com).

EDIT - Citizen K has kindly sent me these Youtube links:

See here for a pic of a Giffard pistol with guard attached in the Virginia Military Institute collection.

With thanks to Tim for this pic:

Giffard CO2 Pistol 

This pistol spotted for sale at:

http://www.waffenhandelimspessart.de

Sales blurb (thanks to Google translate):

"Beautiful engraved valuable early air  pistol made around 1870-1890. Kal. 6mm ball.  Ser.Nr. 496. On the barrel is inlaid gold STE' STEPHANOISE DÀRMES ST ETIENNE.
Under the rifled barrel a removable cylinder reservoir. Laterally inserted finely adjustable sight.
Floral engraved lock case with rocker arm for chamber opening.
Central tap with knurled screw for air pressure regulation.
Fine adjustable trigger! Cured toughened cock.
Beautiful walnut handle with good chequering!
Very well preserved original black finish see photos that show everything!
Running inside mirror-smooth! Very good tight mechanics.

Total length 44.5cm, barrel length 27cm."

Cased pair of Giffard CO2 [duelling] Pistols 

Spotted at auction in the US. With thanks to Steve for the heads up.

Also pictured above (in Augusr 2018).

Giffard CO2 Pistol with duelling handguard 

Giffard 6mm CO2 Pistol 

Pics copyright Holts Auctioneers.

Collection of Giffard CO2 pistols 

With thanks to a collector friend.

Giffard CO2 Pistol (Beeman Collection)