[Davyboy]

I have recently purchased an air cane. A very unusual and almost unique weapon. I would ask any Mods to please leave the thread in history rather than gunsmithing as we are about to re-visit the workings of this weapon not seen for over 150 years. First Pic

[Davyboy]

AIR CANES AIR CANE BACKGROUND
Air canes are a whole collecting field in themselves, but they form a delightful and key part of most quality airgun collections. Wolff´s book (1958) has one of the few fairly good discussions regarding these intriguing guns. He points out that while cane firearms were novelty weapons of no great practical value, air canes were one of the pinnacles of airgun effectiveness and utility and certainly stand as some of the finest examples of wonderfully intricate and beautifully made airgun mechanisms. In most specimens, the gun function was concealed, but some bare trigger guards, shoulder stocks, or other obvious evidence as to their nature. Most apparently were designed for self-defense or as a method of carrying a hunting arm while out walking- in those days, the transition between town and country could come rather quickly.
The Golden Age of air canes came in the 1800s when English air canes dominated the field. Key makers of London and Birmingham included John Blanch, Edward Reilly, and James Townsend. An air cane was part of the attire of many a well-dressed English gentleman of the late 1800s. Most specimens were sold in wonderfully fitted cases with their pump and accessories. These accessories often included a rifle-style, buttstock-shaped air reservoir or skeleton wooden buttstock which could be carried in the huge pockets of a gentleman's "great coat" until extra air volume and/or steadiness of fire were needed when using an air cane.

http://air.guns.20megsfree.com/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/65541219/The-Walking-Stick-Airgun

[Davyboy]

The business end

[Davyboy]

More to follow

[Davyboy]

Over the next few weeks I intend to dismantle, service, re-build and fire this unique weapon. Here is my problem I have little knowledge of air weapons. So I will be asking for suggestions at every stage. As far as I am aware this has never been done on the Internet before. So we are attempting a world first.

Comments please gentlemen.

[Davyboy]

I will explain the workings of the gun later.

[Dillinger]

And subscribed!

This is going to be a very interesting project and Davy has literally spared no expense in obtaining this really unique and rare weapon.

I look forward to seeing how this turns out and what kind of damage that thing can produce. It's a .36 caliber according to Davy.

JD

[dog2000tj]

you need yourself a tricorn hat and trench coat to go with it

[texaswoodworker]

Subscribed. I look forward to learning more.

Did you have to go through any antigun BS to get it, or are they unregulated?

[orangello]

Init for the learnin.

Would there be a cap over the barrel, or what kept the barrel debris-free?