Haenel Model-28R
Exploded views:
Haenel Model-28R - In detail.
Here is an explanation of how this fixed-barrel ball repeater works (with thanks for input from John Griffiths, author of The Encyclopedia of Spring Air Pistols):
There is a spring-loaded gate that you can see drops down from the cylinder just forward of the trigger/guard when the action is opened.
A lead ball then moves forward from a fixed magazine tube that sits in the centre of the cylinder, under pressure from a spring loaded plunger that slides inside the removeable magazine tube (missing from the example below).
When the gate returns to its closed position after the mainspring is fully cocked, the ball is lifted to the correct position in the breech ready for firing, and the rest of the magazine is sealed off.
To load the magazine, you first feed the ball shot into the fixed tube. You can then screw the magazine tube into the threaded end of the inner tube, so fixing it in place with the ammo under spring pressure.
With thanks to Frank for these pics.
Haenel Model-28R - Youtube video.
With thanks to Steve for this film:
Haenel Model-28R instructions
With thanks to Steve for this pic.
Haenel 28R pistols x3
With thanks to Steve for this pic.
Haenel Model-28R (rusty)
It looks like the small torsion spring inside the grip frame that forces the cocking link to engage with the piston has broken or become detached - a common problem with this pistol design (see here for details).
Haenel Model-28R loader device?
This strange loader device appeared in the forums recently.
Don R speculates: "I've seen pictures of two boxed 28-R's with the device included. Could it be intended to be filled to its top with ammo, then inserted into the magazine hole, then withdrawn, followed by screwing home the magazine tube? Kind of a pseudo speed-loader that would also give the correct number of ammunition for the spring in the tube to work properly."
Thanks to various contributors for these pics:
Haenel Model-28R news story - US president's grandson shoots cop
With thanks to Dave T for the discovery and John G for facilitating.
The scandal doesn't seem to have caused lasting harm to Cornelius (or, no doubt, the cops he and his friend shot). He went on to have an illustrious career in the CIA, including being the agent who first suggested the CIA plan to poison Fidel Castro of Cuba.
His Wikipedia entry: