Is this trapdoor loading unique?

[45flint]

Part of collecting arms of any sort is appreciating the history that certain rifles evoke. The Browning AirStar has I think unique loading system which reminds me of the US Army trapdoor rifles used during the Indian Wars. Here is a UTube of that cartridge loading system.

https://youtu.be/JC0C41KX8RY

Here is a quick UTube I found on the Airstar loading system:

https://youtu.be/qJJ0NagoWpQ

Is there anything similar on any other airgun?

[junglie]

No, webley used it on the eclipes underlever rifle & walther on their target rifles I think.

[Benelli B76]

Also the RWS Diana 46 Stutzen.

Baz

[Garvin]

No, webley used it on the eclipes underlever rifle & walther on their target rifles I think.

In the Walther LGR it's not so much a trapdoor as a folding breech - ie. you put the pellet into the door rather than under it.

[45flint]

In the Walther LGR it's not so much a trapdoor as a folding breech - ie. you put the pellet into the door rather than under it.

Looking at UTubes the Walther, RWS, and the Webley are identical, you load the pellet into the barrel like most air rifles?
https://youtu.be/eKlfgWaSF3A. Whether the distinction is worthwhile you be the judge.

[Garvin]

Looking at UTubes the Walther, RWS, and the Webley are identical, you load the pellet into the barrel like most air rifles?
https://youtu.be/eKlfgWaSF3A. Whether the distinction is worthwhile you be the judge.

You're right - I was misremembering. Not sure why the Rutten rifle didn't do this - wouldn't it have been less fiddly?

[ccdjg]

As far as spring air pistols go, two come to mind which use a hinged trap door loading principle, of sorts. These are the Hungarian Lampagyar

http://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/image/Mxru
http://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/image/MpUG
http://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/image/MK2S

and the Swedish Excellent 1950
http://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/image/MnPB
http://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/image/MkXA
http://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/image/MXjQ

The Lampagyar is unusual in that the trap door is opened and closed automatically during cocking.

[Jerry Cornelius]

I've never seen that Hungarian pistol before.

This is why I find collecting so interesting: such a simple design problem (propel a pellet reasonably accurately using compressed air), so many different designs tried.

[Hsing-ee]

I think it is unique, most trapdoors allow you to push the pellet into the rifling. That Browning one is just dropping it into the breech - does something push it into the rifling or does the pellet jump into it on firing? If the latter it is a shit design.

[Garvin]

I think it is unique, most trapdoors allow you to push the pellet into the rifling. That Browning one is just dropping it into the breech - does something push it into the rifling or does the pellet jump into it on firing? If the latter it is a shit design.

Although the pellet makes a similar transition from the loading tap into the rifling on the BSA/LJ underlevers and they're still capable of great accuracy. I suppose the alignment of tap and bore has to be spot on, and soft lead presumably allows a tiny margin for error here?

[45flint]

Although the pellet makes a similar transition from the loading tap into the rifling on the BSA/LJ underlevers and they're still capable of great accuracy. I suppose the alignment of tap and bore has to be spot on, and soft lead presumably allows a tiny margin for error here?

Good point, kind of similar. I have found the AirStar to be very accurate, but it's as everything else on the gun, uniquely strange? The loading port as configured lets the AirStar have one oval O ring seal above the opening. The other systems have two o ring seals one on each side of the opened breech.