J. VENABLES + SON

[joerg]

A friend of mine recently bought several british militaria - along with other this gun (see picture).

It has a 11 mm-caliber and probably is a kind of 'Zündnadel'- system (I don't know the English expression).

The octogonal barrel is stamped: 'J.VENABLES & SON ST. ALDATES OXFORD'

Does anybody exactly know what it is ?

Thanks for Your help.

Joerg

[joerg]

another photo

[joerg]

another photo of the breech

[joerg]

another photo

[joerg]

another photo

[joerg]

and last but not least a photo of the makers mark

[Chris Boonzaier]

Looks to be a private sporting weapon... must kick like a mule when you fire it. I imagine it had a tall monopod?

[Wood]

Looks like a retailer, rather than a maker, you can google the name.

Interesting breech locking action.

Pete

[jimhallam]

This is a NEEDLE-fire rook rifle --- Rissack's Patent (most frequently encountered marked "Rigby, Dublin) --- uses a paper cartridge with the primer at the base of the bullet. Pin pierces "cartridge" and hits primer. I would expect it to be about 100bore (about .30calibre -- 7.5mm or so) so very little recoil.

Venables would have been the RETAILER, not the maker. Probably Birmingham proofed.

It would fit one of my collecting themes --- rook rifles (of course!) . I have seen a couple of PISTOL versions which would fit the second of my themes - -"unusual" single-shot pistols.

I also collect British revolver aand their copies -- -Webley, Adams, Tranter, Deane-Harding etc.

Luckily I have Home Office Authority for ANY type of pistol, including those now classified as "small firearms" in the UK.

Jim H.