Just committed to a Haenel III DRP. This is a German pre-WWII break barrel much like the Diana 27. It's in .22 which is likely why I opted for it. (Sucker for .22's.) Here's the pictures from the auction site. (I sure hope the gun lives up to them.) (And, no Tim, I won't be bobbing it.)







The screw in front of the guard adjusts the trigger -







The barrel has a latch to break it open, typical of Haenels -







Sights are iron, only. No provision for scopes or peeps -




And the part that Tim dislikes -




Here's the breech face -




Some markings -




(I'm having CSI Berlin ID that print, below, to see who it belonged to. Field Marshall Rommel, perhaps? Eva Braun? Yah, sure. More like the GI who brought it home.)







These are supposed to do about 500 fps. I only plan to use it for informal target work. (Believe me, that's all I'm capable of.)


Was also looking at a Haenel I in .177 but just missed it. Would have made a nice set.





This gives me German springers from the 'teens, 20's/30's, 50's, 70's & 90's

redfeather, i don't have a clue about that gun, honestly i've never heard of it but i do like nostalgia. the wood looks great on it based on its age. i did notice the breach didn't have a seal...i know they didn't know about rubber seals back then but wouldn't you think they would use leather? showing my ignorance again....does it even need a breech seal? educate me!

Supposed to shoot, according to the seller. I'm guessing the breech seal is leather. We shall see when it arrives. I bought a little Diana GEM-style .177 not long ago and was missing the breech seal. In that case, the seal fits into the standing face where the transfer port is. I found an O ring fits well enough to shoot it. Where there's a will, there's a way.

The Haenel III DRP is supposedly a very nice early rifle. Did some searches/posts on the American Vintage Airgun site before deciding to go for it. I have some equally old rimfires and, besides the nostalgia, they are simply beautifully crafted. Even the "utility" guns of that era.

You sir are rapidly becoming the go-to guy for antique German airguns.

Hmm I wonder is it really that long or is that just an optical illusion.


Jer

Some guys here look like a branch of the Smithsonian. We'll see how long that barrel actually is. I have been told these are full-sized guns, whatever that means. Certainly not on the order of a Slavia 618.

Great to see a piece of airgun history. Hope to find out more about this rifle and how it still operates. Thanks for the photos...

but you might never know when you need parts. Haenel parts are still available here in Europe. Here's a hyperlink to an online shop that sells them.

http://www.waffencenter-gotha.de/shop/SHIndex.php

Rob

Good to know there are spare parts available should I need them.