Anshutz 335.... timewarp find!

[Mrs. H]

Given the thread my darling father started in which he intimated that I have a tendency to bring home the airgun equivalents to waifs and strays (usually with a limp, one eye and some unmentionable medical condition...) I thought I'd make a point of posting todays little 'find'.....

Aside to my international crime busting activities (see profile..ahem!) by day (and sans spandex) I'm an antiques dealer, which does mean I get to go to all manner of weird and wonderful auctions all over the place. And, having the attention span and boredom threshold of a gnat I invariably come back with decidely more than I actually went to look at. Today was one of those days, though I'm pleased to say it all turned out rather well....

On a table in the corner of the auction room I spotted a break barrel air rifle. The condition looked virtually *new* so my first thought was that it must be one of those cheap European models that I keep seeing in the airgunning magazines. But, I picked it up and gave it a good looking at just in case I was wrong.
I could see the name ANSCHUTZ on the top of the barrel...along with Mod.335.

Don't weep yet... it gets better....
It was on a cardboard box, which on the second glance I realised was the original carton.

Suffice to say.... I BOUGHT IT! I won't rub salt into the wound and mention that I was the only interested bidder in the entire room.




How much?
No, I won't say......


..... I do hate to see grown men cry.



Less than a tank of petrol in my Volvo though....


Dads face was a picture when he saw me staggering in with the box under my arm. That cautious raised eyebrow and fearful look of impending doom. In the words of the kids on that Vauxhall Zafira ad though... 'Look at his little face light up!'

I can only describe the condition as *MINT*. It doesn't look like its ever been out of the original Anshutz branded box. There isn't a mark on the woodwork and not a spot on the blueing. Even the little plastic protective caps are still on the scope mount!! The serial number is 50129 and the barrel release is the pull-out one which I think dates it to pre-1980.

if you want to torture yourselves further here's some piccies....



http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz1.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz2.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz3.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz4.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz5.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz6.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz7.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/anshutz8.jpg

Its a .22 model, and yes, it will be used! At the moment its settling in to its new home and making friends with the various bits and bobs I've already adopted.

[premierpistol]

What a find!


You Lucky.... insert your own descriptive here!

Good luck with it!

PAUL

[christy]

Well done, good find. I could guess the price and doubt I would be far out. I know an auction house were airguns never make much. In fact I know a few. I think it's a well kept secret, the price of airguns in "ordinary" auctions. Be sure to go back cos where there's one there's more, just have to be patient. Maybe pick up 2-3 per year but worth the leg work.

[Mrs. H]

Actually...um....there sort of was another one....ahem! An FWB 300s also in original carton with a rather gorgeous black walnut stock.
Technically I already have a perfectly sound FWB300s....just that mine has a plain mahogany stock. Don't they say a pair is worth more than a single? <she says whilst trying to crow bar the box into the back of the wardrobe...>

[edbear2]

Nice gun and result both, I have had some great car boot finds, but never anything to compare with this!.......thanks for sharing it....must go now to wash this green stuff out of my eyes

[BTDT]

It's a 1970s example, and it is very rare to find a .22" still with its open sights.

[jonnyone]

This never seems to happen to me...

Dave

[The armourer]

Do you know, I in the same line of work as you and go to the shows and I have yet to come anywhere near close to getting a find like this.
If I come and rub shoulders with you I think I could win the lottery next week!!
Absolutely totally jealous well done

[Mrs. H]

Well, I guess I just work to the theory that at some point I'm going to have to get it right and be lucky!
When I watch the Antiques Roadshow I'm always accutely aware that if there's a piece on their valued at 'x' squillion pounds I'm going to be the muppet that sold it for £150.
*touch wood* thats only happened once.... I sold what (I NOW know!) was a particularly rare patent form of anemometer (wind meter). I sold it for a decent profit and was quite happy...until I opened one of the specialist journals and found it on the front page along with a report of the fantastical sum it had just made at Christies.
Sob! Wail! Sniffle!

[fat man]

What a superb find lucky so and so , jelous! not much, yes lots actually !!! well done and hope you enjoy. Atb

[Mrs. H]

Ta!
I intend to take it out to play as soon as possible! mind you... given that dad's already started another thread about tuning it I suspect I may need a small wrench to get it out of his eager paws first.....

[Gareth W-B]

Superb story, superb find and a superb rifle marque and model to boot . I've a similar condition one in .177 and rate these Anshutz LG335s as being among the top five best beak-barrel standard production line springer air rifles ever made . Well done. Atb: G.