AIR-O-MATIC GALLERY PISTOL
- .173 cal., hose pneumatic, semi-automatic repeater, pop-up loading chute loaded by insertion of pre-loaded filler tube of BBs, 7.1 in. smoothbore barrel, no safety, 12.7 in. OAL, 2.6 lbs. Probably mfg. 1930s to 1940s.
ABT
Most of the known ABT guns are pistols which were captive mounted in highly decorated wooden boxes serving as miniature, coin-operated firing ranges. These were used for entertainment and as covert/rigged games of chance. These game guns were manufactured from 1925 to about 1958. There are no production records from about 1941 to 1946 due to WWII. The shooting box part of the company’s history is detailed at www.crowriver.com/abt.htm.
It is not clear when hose-fed compressed air ABT airguns were made but the patents run from 1932 through 1949. ABT apparently applied for Arrow-Matic as a trademark (and so marked at least some guns), but were granted the Air-O-Matic trademark for semi-automatic airguns. These airguns were fed from a patented, pre-loaded filler tube of BBs that was inserted into a unique rear or top-feeding loading chute when the gun was opened by pulling back the top of the receiver or a side bolt. At least three versions of shoulder-fired, hose-fed pneumatic rifles and one similar pistol are known. Also known is a sliding pump action rifle, unmarked, but with exactly the same unusual, complex, loading chute. Some of the guns were marked Rifle Sport, Frantz Mfg. Co., and some were sold private labeled to Pace, Rockola and Keeney & Sons. Frantz Mfg. Co. continued manufacturing the rifles into the 1960s and the pistols even longer.
Virtually all ABT specimens are well worn from hard shooting gallery use, but are very durable due to their rugged, excellent construction. Carnival airguns are now becoming more popular with airgun collectors and values can be expected to rise accordingly.
It is not clear when hose-fed compressed air ABT airguns were made but the patents run from 1932 through 1949. ABT apparently applied for Arrow-Matic as a trademark (and so marked at least some guns), but were granted the Air-O-Matic trademark for semi-automatic airguns. These airguns were fed from a patented, pre-loaded filler tube of BBs that was inserted into a unique rear or top-feeding loading chute when the gun was opened by pulling back the top of the receiver or a side bolt. At least three versions of shoulder-fired, hose-fed pneumatic rifles and one similar pistol are known. Also known is a sliding pump action rifle, unmarked, but with exactly the same unusual, complex, loading chute. Some of the guns were marked Rifle Sport, Frantz Mfg. Co., and some were sold private labeled to Pace, Rockola and Keeney & Sons. Frantz Mfg. Co. continued manufacturing the rifles into the 1960s and the pistols even longer.
Virtually all ABT specimens are well worn from hard shooting gallery use, but are very durable due to their rugged, excellent construction. Carnival airguns are now becoming more popular with airgun collectors and values can be expected to rise accordingly.
Previous manufacturer located at 715-727 North Kedzie St., Chicago, IL circa 1925-1958. The company name is an acronym of the founders' names: Gus Adler, Jack Bechtol, and Walter Tratsch. ABT was a producer of carnival and shooting gallery BB pistols, BB rifles, and supplies. Walther Tratsch developed Air-O-Matic airgun design, patented April 19, 1932, pat. no. 1854605 and Oct. 6, 1942, pat. no. 2297947. Other patents to 1949.
During the 1950s it was sold to J.F. Frantz Manufacturing Co. (1940 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL). J.F. Frantz Manufacturing Co. continued manufacturing the guns until J.F. Frantz died in 1982. After his death the pistol line was sold to Bud Johnston, Johnston Products, E. Moline, IL. The rifle parts remained with the family.
During the 1950s it was sold to J.F. Frantz Manufacturing Co. (1940 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL). J.F. Frantz Manufacturing Co. continued manufacturing the guns until J.F. Frantz died in 1982. After his death the pistol line was sold to Bud Johnston, Johnston Products, E. Moline, IL. The rifle parts remained with the family.
ABT Airguns Models
AIR-O-MATIC REAR LOADER VARIANT I
.173 cal., hose pneumatic, semi-auto repeater, loading chute in rear of receiver for insertion of pre-loaded filler tube of BBs, approx. 16 in. smoothbore barrel within longer barrel shroud, stamped with 1932 patent date, model name cast in...
CAPTIVE SHOOTING BOX PISTOL
.40 cal., spring action, tube-fed repeater, 2.6 in. smoothbore blue barrel, no safety, 8.7 in. OAL, 2.9 lbs. Mfg. 1925-1958.
AIR-O-MATIC REAR LOADER VARIANT II
.173 cal., hose pneumatic, semi-auto repeater, loading chute in rear of receiver for insertion of pre-loaded filler tube of BBs, approx. 16 in. smoothbore barrel within longer barrel shroud, stamped with 1932 patent date, model name cast in...
AIR-O-MATIC TOP LOADER
.173 cal., semi-auto repeater, hose pneumatic, approx. 23 in. smoothbore barrel within larger barrel shroud which is topped by a small full-length tube, metal box-like receiver divides stock into two pieces, short straight-pull knob (early...
AIR-O-MATIC SLIDE ACTION
.173 cal., hose pneumatic, repeater, 23 in. smoothbore barrel, no safety, 42.5 in. OAL, 7.1 lbs. Probably mfg. 1940s.