Mystery .177

[laverdabru]

Not posted for a while - due to health/work issues have done little on the shooting/motorcycling front recently. But today I was shown a 'mystery gun' which intrigued me - a workmate of my stepson had been given it in lieu of a debt. Apols for lack of pictures.
The stock style is very like interwar BSA/Lincoln Jeffries. Think I've read BSA used to produce air rifles without markings for other firms.
It's a break barrel .177. No makers marks, but has a close resemblance to an ad for a BSA/Diana Militia advertised on the web in SA. The barrel goes into an octagon shaped piece some 6'' from the breech lock up.
On the left hand side of the breech is a lever, which locks/unlocks the barrel in the closed position. Can't say I've seen that before, but all my rifles are post WW2, & I know SFA about earlier stuff.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Bru.

[Hsing-ee]

I am far from an expert on the prewar rifles but it sounds like a Greener.

Like this maybe

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....ner-air-rifle/

[keith66]

Haenel Mod 2 had a breech lock on left hand side, I had one years ago, quite a powerful little rifle.

[WebleyWombler]

Haenel Mod 2 had a breech lock on left hand side, I had one years ago, quite a powerful little rifle.

But that Didn't have an octagonal barrel section, Did it?

I'm thinking Diana 16 or 17 , maybe even an Ansonia. Otherwise I am stumped but it would be nice to know more about it ( pictures, Smooth or rifled etc)

[Garvin]

Haenel Mod 2 had a breech lock on left hand side, I had one years ago, quite a powerful little rifle.

The Haenel mod 2's lever was on the RHS.



If not a Greener, the most common prewar break barrels with a lever on the left side were the Tell-type rifles:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....guns/#post-339

[micky2]

lt could be a Precision type rifle as they had a lever typer catch.

[thisisdonald]

I am far from an expert on the prewar rifles but it sounds like a Greener.

Like this maybe

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....ner-air-rifle/

Valeboy has a lovely old greener and definitely sounds similar to this.

[keith66]

Garvin is correct I must have had it upside down when i remembered it!

[Stefran61]

Not posted for a while - due to health/work issues have done little on the shooting/motorcycling front recently. But today I was shown a 'mystery gun' which intrigued me - a workmate of my stepson had been given it in lieu of a debt. Apols for lack of pictures.
The stock style is very like interwar BSA/Lincoln Jeffries. Think I've read BSA used to produce air rifles without markings for other firms.
It's a break barrel .177. No makers marks, but has a close resemblance to an ad for a BSA/Diana Militia advertised on the web in SA. The barrel goes into an octagon shaped piece some 6'' from the breech lock up.
On the left hand side of the breech is a lever, which locks/unlocks the barrel in the closed position. Can't say I've seen that before, but all my rifles are post WW2, & I know SFA about earlier stuff.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Bru.

Bru

I have just started a new thread 'Roland Model 1927', your description fit with this gun I am asking for id confirmation on, take a look at the photos.

Regards

Steve

[laverdabru]

Thanks for all your replies - made me realise how little I know about interwar airguns!
It has a rifled bore. The only marking I have seen is 3112 on the underside of the octagonal section. There is no chequering on the stock,or trigger adjustment.
Next time he's over I'll try & get some pics.