An MGR model 19 .177 calibre Air Rifle. Made in Germany by Mayer & Grammelspacher, Rastttat (MGR) circa 1895-1901
This is an extremely rare variant of the Model 19 Air Rifle in that the barrel release catch is incorporated into the rear sight (which is pulled back to release the barrel) whereas most Model 19 air rifles had the later side lever catch. The barrel lever catch was patented in 1895 whereas the side lever catch was patented later in 1905. This is a very rare example and one of probably only a few manufactured and certainly very few in existence now.
This example is probably one of MGR’s (later branded Dianawerk – Diana) very first Air Rifle to be manufactured.
It is is a superb example featuring a octagonal blued .177 calibre smooth bore barrel. A nickel plated cylinder, cocking lever trigger guard and butt plate. With a checkered quarter length straight grip wooden stock.
The finish is in excellent original order for its age with only a few areas where the nickel has worn but otherwise its all complete with the blued barrel is in good condition too. The stock is in good condition also with no cracks or splits.
It cocks and fires with no issues.
This is a very rare German manufactured air rifle one of the very first to be manufactured by this famous European company.