Quality* C1850’s Giffard Carbonic Gas 8mm Ball CO2 rifle. 22054. Quality* C1850’s Giffard Carbonic Gas 8mm Ball CO2 rifle. 22054. 8 mm Air Rifles

The Giffard rifle was invented by Frenchman, Paul Giffard, whose brother, Henri, conducted the world’s first powered flight in a dirigible airship on December 21, 1852. Giffard rifles often have engraved balloons on their receivers and impressed into their gutta percha butt plates, which is apparently a nod to this event. Giffard invented and patented a front-pump air-powered rifle in 1864, and he patented this gas rifle in 1873. In the 1890s Giffard opened the Giffard Gun and Ordnance Company in London to make the same rifle. Later they made an updated design that lacked an exposed hammer. The five exposed screwheads are all clocked — thin screw slots aligned with the bore. The other end of one stock screw that shows through on the top side of the grip iron is also engraved to look like it is a clocked screw. The Giffard came in both smoothbore and rifled versions? The Giffard came in 4.5 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm, this one being the 8mm. Giffards were also made as shotguns. Those have a different type of bolt, and they use a pre-loaded tubular paper 8 mm shot cartridge. Their sights differ from those found on the rifle, as well. The rifle is 41 ½ “long. The barrel is 24 ½ “, which gives the CO2 time to expand. The rifle is loaded through a tap that’s built into the end of the bolt. Instead of a traditional rotary loading tap that’s difficult to machine, this approach seems easier and more straightforward. To load lift the bolt handle straight up to just past 90 degrees and the loading tap is exposed. The front sight is a post and bead. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation. Giffard knew how to put adjustable power on his rifles and pistols. It’s a simple system, but given the floating hammer that opens the valve, yet doesn’t remain all the way forward to press against the valve. It adjusts from the outside of the gun. The long steel tube under the barrel that serves as the forearm is where the CO2 is stored. That tube is unscrewed from the action for filling. The trigger is a direct sear type, where the trigger blade is what releases the sear to release the hammer. The rifle is in lovely condition with beautiful ornate scrolling throughout the metalwork. The afore-mentioned ballon engraving can be seen on the CO2 tube (pictured). ‘Poids Plein Ade 443 GRmes 49053’ is also present on the tube. The barrel and bolt are stamped with the number ‘7552’ along with ‘Cal 8mm’ ‘Agier’ and several inspection stamps. The chequered wooden stock is in beautiful condition with only a small number of age-related marks. The rifle has its original sling swivels to the stock and barrel. The images don’t really do the rifles quality and elegance justice. The gun loads and fires as it should with a crisp action. The price includes UK delivery. 22054.