Haenel Sport Modell LP55R/ 250

Haenel Sport Modell LP55R/ 250

With thanks to Eberhard for this pic and John G for facilitating.

John G states: "The two versions are almost identical and the originator of the pictures has indicated that the illustrated  pistol is the Haenel Mod 250 version".

In Airgun Collector issue 3 John Griffiths wrote: "ETW also undertook development of a repeating air pistol, the ETW [Ernst-Thälmann-Werk] or Haenel Sport Model 55R, which was the brainchild of E. Lehe, head of research at ETW.  Although this interesting pistol seems never to have gone into serious production, a very small number of examples are known, showing that there existed at least three variations.  The example shown has a tube magazine feed which clamped under the barrel housing, capable of holding 6, 8 or 12 round shot (4.4 mm).  A modified version used a rotating drum magazine holding 25 shot. The neat looking pistol (overall length only 26.5 cm) has many original features, and is cocked by a top lever pivoted at the rear of the cylinder. This arrangement apparently makes cocking with the left hand a simple operation and suits rapid repeater shooting.  Power is not very high, as might be expected for such a short design, and a muzzle velocity of around 200 fps has been reported. This is about the same as that produced by the diminutive Tell 2 pistol.  Curiously, for what is in effect a low power BB shooter, the barrel is rifled.  The barrel and cylinder are made of steel and the grip frame is constructed of die-cast alloy, with chequered walnut grip plates."