Loading Spinner

Air Pistols

Air guns are not technically or legally firearms, but for many shooters, they're the next best thing. Like their combustion-based counterparts, air-propelled firearms have made great strides in their development. Air guns are believed to have originated in mid-16th century Europe. During that time, they operated by either a spring loaded bellows or compressed air stored in an external reservoir.

By the late 1700s, powerful pneumatic weapons found their way into military conflict. The Austrian army had an entire regiment armed with .44-caliber repeating air weapons that were used with great effectiveness against Napoleon's forces. In the United States, air guns taken along on the famed Lewis and Clark expedition were known by Native Americans as smokeless thunder sticks.

Today, companies like Daisy and Umarex produce high-velocity carbon dioxide-powered BB guns, pellet pistols, and other types of air handguns. A range of manufacturers crank out powerful air pistol replicas. The replicas resemble firearms ranging from Glock semi automatics to Smith & Wesson handguns, as well as low-impact airsoft guns used for police training and competitive shooting.


Quick Facts

  • In 2014, a rare circa 1880s Giffard French air pistol featured on the History Channel series "Pawn Stars" surprisingly sold well below its $2,000 to $4,00 estimate, going for only $384
  • A lot of 3 Iver Johnson air pistols sold at Rock Island Auction in 2014 for an unexpected $3,737
  • In December 2010 at Christie's London, the Walther air pistol held by Sean Connery in the poster for the 1963 James Bond film "From Russia With Love" sold for a world record price of £277,250

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

bp parity badge
FEG GPM 01 4.5mm Air Pistol with Accessories
Jul 26, 9:00 AM CDT
FEG GPM 01 4.5mm Air Pistol with Accessories
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $50- $300
$302 Bids
Modern Handgun BB & Derringer Style Pistol Lighter
Jul 20, 10:00 AM MST
Modern Handgun BB & Derringer Style Pistol Lighter
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
Engraved Girardoni Austrian Repeating Grip Reservoir Air Pistol
Aug 15, 9:00 AM CDT
Engraved Girardoni Austrian Repeating Grip Reservoir Air Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $6,000- $10,000
$4,5000 Bids
A Stevens Arms Mod. 520
Jul 24, 10:00 AM CEST
A Stevens Arms Mod. 520
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€3400 Bids
Russia - a Baikal Mod. MC55-1
Jul 24, 10:00 AM CEST
Russia - a Baikal Mod. MC55-1
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
CROSSMAN V300 BB PISTOL.
Aug 09, 10:00 AM EDT
CROSSMAN V300 BB PISTOL.
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
MARKSMAN BB & PELLET PISTOL
Jul 18, 6:00 PM EDT
MARKSMAN BB & PELLET PISTOL
by Auction by Daum
Est: $80- $100
$700 Bids
TWO BEEMAN P1 MAGNUM AIR PISTOLS.
Aug 09, 10:00 AM EDT
TWO BEEMAN P1 MAGNUM AIR PISTOLS.
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $75- $150
$500 Bids
A Uramex SA10 Semi-Automatic CO2 Air Pistol.
Jul 23, 10:00 AM BST
A Uramex SA10 Semi-Automatic CO2 Air Pistol.
by Cadmore Auctions
Est: £100- £140
£1000 Bids
An FN Mod. 150 Match Sporting Pistol
Jul 24, 10:00 AM CEST
An FN Mod. 150 Match Sporting Pistol
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
A Hämmerli 208 (American Model) Sporting Pistol
Jul 24, 10:00 AM CEST
A Hämmerli 208 (American Model) Sporting Pistol
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1200 Bids
bp parity badge
.22 Cal Pellet Gun with Accessories
Jul 26, 9:00 AM CDT
.22 Cal Pellet Gun with Accessories
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $50- $300
$250 Bids
bp parity badge
RARE 1930's "Sharpshooter" Rubber Band BB Pistol
Jul 26, 9:00 AM MDT
RARE 1930's "Sharpshooter" Rubber Band BB Pistol
by North American Auction Company
Est: $250- $500
$700 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Air Pistols


Hermann Historica GmbH

Hermann Historica GmbH

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company