ID help on Old German .22 target pistols

[Streetgang]

An acquaintance brought these two by to see if I could help ID them. I've exhausted my google-fu and wondered if anyone here can help out.
This post is the lever action pistol:

 

[Streetgang]

These are the break barrel pistol photos:

 

[Jimbob2.0]

I dont know anything about them but they are neat.

 

[Streetgang]

I dont know anything about them but they are neat.

They are. Owner thinks they are late 1800's. Has to be after 1887 since they are .22lr

 

[august1410]

Emil Kerner and Sohn is the manufacturer. I found this info:

THIS IS A SINGLE SHOT EMIL-KERNER & SOHN-SUHL VENUS PISTOL IN CALIBER 22 LONG RIFLE OR SHORT AND LONG AS WELL, MADE IN BELGIUM. THE BORE IS BRIGHT AND SHINY VERY NICE!!. THE BLUING SHOWS SOME WARE ANS SURFACE SPOTTING. THE FRONT SIGHT IS MISSING THE BLADE AND NEED A HINT OF A FIX SEE PIC. THE WOOD ON THIS GUN IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE GUN FUNCTION BY PULLING THE BACK TRIGGER TO SET THE HAMMER AND THE FRONT TRIGGER TO FIRE IT. THE GUN FUNCTION JUST FINE BUT DOES HIT THE PRIMER A BIT LIGHT.. THIS IS A VERY RARE PISTOL GOOD LUCK!!


http://www.gunauction.com/buy/12231...us-pistol-caliber-22-s-l-lr-belgium-made-rare

 

[Machodoc]

They are. Owner thinks they are late 1800's. Has to be after 1887 since they are .22lr

They seem to be .22 long ... not LR. These are in a category of pistols generally known as "parlor guns" (or "gallery guns", "garden guns", etc.). The company that made them were specialists in air rifles, Flobert-type guns, and other low-caliber firearms for target shooting ... often inside the house, using bullet traps. I suspect these were at the upper end of what they made in both quality and caliber.

Take a look at this link for information about what I believe to be the same manufacturer, and probably the same pistols. For some reason, the photos aren't showing on the site, but below is the pistol shown on the internal link to this page.

Some other sites that you might want to look at:

http://www.germanguns.com/upload/showthread.php?620-need-more-information-on-quot-G.-Wise-quot-free-pistol


http://www.suchebiete.com/Schiesssport_Jagdsport/sb142756722/Scheibenpistole_Kal_22-lr

http://www.littlegun.info/arme%20allemande/artisan%20u-z/a%20venus%20oskar%20will%20gb.htm

http://www.porcelainmarksandmore.com/resources/vocabulary/drgm.php

http://books.google.com/books?id=CWN1Nb9hfUkC&pg=PA157&lpg=PA157&dq=Venus+Waffenfabrik&source=bl&ots=hM6mByJmwk&sig=pLx9t-xXzb1s8FBcSknOCXvYxyU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mSbFUtG5D4PfkQfD-IGgDg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Venus%20Waffenfabrik&f=false

 

[rico903]

Go to rimfirecentral.com and go to misc forum and ask around. There's a lot of knowledgeable folks there. Neat guns.

 

[Streetgang]

Thanks for the info guys and the correction on the .22l vs .22lr. One gets so used to seeing .22lr we forget there are other .22 rimfire cartridges.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Free pistols. Try Target Talk (www.targettalk.org) for info.

 

[Dafas]

Wrote an article on the Venus pistol.. http://www.classictargetpistols.com/scheibenpistolen/germany/venus/#

Its really a wonderfull find. I you have any questions, please mail. me.

Regards, Arjan.

 

[Dafas]

BYW - the other pistol you have is a Langehan Model HERA pistol. Both in 22 LONG caliber. Lovely. Again... need any info. please mail me. Keep in touch with the Dutch - Kind regards, Arjan.

 

[Machodoc]

Wrote an article on the Venus pistol.. http://www.classictargetpistols.com/scheibenpistolen/germany/venus/#

Its really a wonderfull find. I you have any questions, please mail. me.

Regards, Arjan.

BYW - the other pistol you have is a Langehan Model HERA pistol. Both in 22 LONG caliber. Lovely. Again... need any info. please mail me. Keep in touch with the Dutch - Kind regards, Arjan.

Very nice article, Arjan!

I'm not sure why it is, but it seems that there are a lot of Dutch firearms enthusiasts who are really into how various guns are made and how they function. Some of the best articles that I've seen on the functional aspects of certain rare guns have been written by Dutch authors. Excellent job!