Tell 3 pistol enigma

[ccdjg]

The two Tell 3 pistols in the upcoming Stroud Auction (see https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...6-ac8d00dd830c
and https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...6-ac8d00dd8417 ) are a real puzzle. One has a calibre of 6mm and the other 61/3 mm, both being clearly marked as such on their barrels. All adverts seen for the Tell 3 indicate that it was only ever sold in 4.5mm (.177) calibre.

Why would two non-standard calibre guns show up together like this?
What would be the point of such large calibres, considering that this is a small and relatively low power pistol? I think the Tell 3 would struggle with .22 pellets.

6mm smacks of 6mm plastic BB's, popular with softair. Surely someone didn't convert a Tell 3 to a softair equivalent?.


Does anyone have any ideas about what might be going on here?

Cheers,
John

[Jerry Cornelius]

The two Tell 3 pistols in the upcoming Stroud Auction (see https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...6-ac8d00dd830c
and https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...6-ac8d00dd8417 ) are a real puzzle. One has a calibre of 6mm and the other 61/3 mm, both being clearly marked as such on their barrels. All adverts seen for the Tell 3 indicate that it was only ever sold in 4.5mm (.177) calibre.

Why would two non-standard calibre guns show up together like this?
What would be the point of such large calibres, considering that this is a small and relatively low power pistol? I think the Tell 3 would struggle with .22 pellets.

6mm smacks of 6mm plastic BB's, popular with softair. Surely someone didn't convert a Tell 3 to a softair equivalent?.


Does anyone have any ideas about what might be going on here?

Cheers,
John

I am also scratching my head about this and have been able to find nothing (isn’t 6mm .25 though?)

[johnbaz]

I am also scratching my head about this and have been able to find nothing (isn’t 6mm .25 though?)

I think .25" is actually 6.35mm


John

[1shot1kill]

I am also scratching my head about this and have been able to find nothing (isn’t 6mm .25 though?)

I think .25 cal is 6.35mm,
J.

[ccdjg]

I am also scratching my head about this and have been able to find nothing (isn’t 6mm .25 though?)

Yes it is, more or less, but still a weird calibre for a pistol. Any lead pellets or conventional darts in that calibre would struggle to reach the target. You can get softair plastic ammo in both of those calibres though.

[Jerry Cornelius]

Yes it is, more or less, but still a weird calibre for a pistol. Any lead pellets or conventional darts in that calibre would struggle to reach the target. You can get softair plastic ammo in both of those calibres though.

I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind boring out a tell 3 to take air soft or removing the .177 stamping and neatly replacing it with 6 or 6 1/3

Equally I can’t imagine the factory making them (with two different stamps) and then two surfacing for the first time ever in Gloucestershire in 2021

Im stumped. I wondered if they were replicas (don’t look like it) or frankenpistols/bitsas. But still why do that in 6mm? So that no one thinks are original ?

[Jimny4x4]

Seen an air pistol from Germany , Junior air pistol , low power really for kids , very odd calibre size firing plastic ammo ( cannot remember exactly but BIG ) .
So for kids they 1/ made less dangerous plastic ammo 2/ made special calibre - thats marketing strategy btw
Dedicated Air pistol ammo means loadsmoney more revenue .

[Unframed Dave]

There were German pellets labelled 6 1/3" calibre.

Still doesn't make sense for a pistol of such low power.


Dave

[WebleyWombler]

Yes it is, more or less, but still a weird calibre for a pistol. Any lead pellets or conventional darts in that calibre would struggle to reach the target. You can get softair plastic ammo in both of those calibres though.

Not really a weird calibre for a German pre war home market gun. RWS listed pellets in 6mm, 6.2mm, 6.33mm and 6.5mm during that period. might seem strange to us but there was not a lot of standardisation amongst the continental manufacturers at that time. I have seen adverts for darts in all those sizes and even as large as 7mm

Have a look at Smiths book pages 102 -104

[Garvin]

Not really a weird calibre for a German pre war home market gun. RWS listed pellets in 6mm, 6.2mm, 6.33mm and 6.5mm during that period. might seem strange to us but there was not a lot of standardisation amongst the continental manufacturers at that time. I have seen adverts for darts in all those sizes and even as large as 7mm

Have a look at Smiths book pages 102 -104

What's that phrase?

Oh yes. Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs....

[Garvin]

An enigma as to why anyone would do this, to be sure.

But looking at the large images there are strong signs that both these pistols have been tampered with and that they probably didn't leave the factory this way.

[Garvin]

I wonder if it's a coincidence that a seller on Gunstar had two less than vgc Tell 3 pistols for sale for, IIRC, £1500 each just a few months ago and neither seemed to sell.

His location? Gloucester.

[ccdjg]

I wonder if it's a coincidence that a seller on Gunstar had two less than vgc Tell 3 pistols for sale for, IIRC, £1500 each just a few months ago and neither seemed to sell.

His location? Gloucester.

Well spotted Danny!

Desirable though the Tell 3 might be, in those sorts of calibre they would be virtually unusable. So if someone is going to take the trouble to make replacement barrels, perhaps to reclaim relics, why go for calibres that would devalue them so much? It certainly is a puzzle. It might help to know the serial numbers, as if these are consecutive or very close together it could suggest factory experimental models.

Cheers,
John

[Mobiasstrip]

The 6mm looks to me to be Nickel plated? Or polished steel waiting to rust maybe 🤔

[averageplinker]

Anyone else think the calibre stamps on the barrel look to have been done at a different time to the other markings? I do!