SCHIMEL AMERICAN LUGER
.22 cal., CO2, 6 in. barrel, similar to Model GP-22, except is an 8 shot repeater. Ref: AGNR - Jan. 1989.
SCHIMEL
The Schimel was the first of a series of pistols made from the same general design by Orville Schimel. Due to undercapitalization and a number of design flaws in the Schimel, the small company went bankrupt. In 1955, the manufacturing fixtures were acquired by the American Weapons Corporation, headed by Hy Hunter. The unsatisfactory seals were replaced by a one-seal unit and an ingenious eight-shot magazine for .22 cal. lead balls was added. The improved design was marketed as the "American Luger." Stoeger Arms had U.S. ownership of the Luger trademark and quickly forced these "American Lugers" from the market, making them very rare pistols.
Previous trademark manufactured by Schimel Arms Company located in California circa 1952-1954, and by A.C. Swanson located in Sun Valley, CA circa 1956-1958.
SCHIMEL Airguns Models
SCHIMEL CARBO JET
- Smith (1957) and others have reported a repeating CO2 pistol, supposedly related to the American Luger. Smith illustrates a Schimel and an American Luger as the Carbo Jet. Despite almost a half century of looking, no verified specimens of...
SCHIMEL MODEL GP-22
.22 cal., CO2, SS, close copy of the German Luger, toggle action, 6 in. barrel, 380 FPS, die-cast body, blue finish, 9.3 in. OAL, 2.5 lbs. Ref.: Ronald Kurihara (1986) Airgun News & Report 1:3- June.