Very strange and unusual GEM type air rifle

[frakor]

Found a 5,5mm GEM I have never seen before with some interesting features.
First thought when I saw the pictures send to me by cellphone was, there is something wrong/missing or even home made!
Had to have it because I am a sucker for the "unknown airgun" .







The stock seemded odd and misplaced was the first thing I thought, together with the breech block that was unfamiliar to me.
So it had to come apart .....









The main cylinder was about 7 cm. inside the stock and the spring guide was stepped (a bit like a Brittania).
Because of the long cylinder there could be a long spring been fitted, making it relatively powerfull for such a small rifle.
All parts are numbered "45" and a very faint "J B" on the heavily pitted barrel.





Seems like a cross between a Britannia and a GEM as the Brittania has the stock on top of the cylinder to create room for a long spring too?
And a comparison between the models mentioned above.



Have got no idea where and by whom it was made, any suggestions ?

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Frank

[Benelli B76]

Unusual to see a Gem with a piston seal. I just saw another unusual heavily built Gem type this week at an RFD.

Baz

[Garvin]

Found a 5,5mm GEM I have never seen before with some interesting features.
First thought when I saw the pictures send to me by cellphone was, there is something wrong/missing or even home made!
Had to have it because I am a sucker for all airguns.
Frank

Corrected this paragraph for you, Frank.

Extraordinary gun! Well spotted, because at first glance it looks more or less like any other Gem, apart from the strange bulge on the front part of the cylinder.

[micky2]

It does look like a home converted Gem to me. as the cylinder is not in keeping with the barrel wear wise pitting ect which you would expect if original. and that barrel catch is way different to any other l have seen. but like yourself l do like something a bit different if done by a bit of a gunsmith. maybe someone will come up with some information on it.