Anyone has more info about this piece?

[ithacaartist]

OK, got the answers. Test? I hope this exchange demonstrates the power of this forum to answer questions such as this--if not from knowledge immediately available, then through research and connections to such a variety of people and collectors that we can eventually figure it out!

All of the pistols where you shared the pictures with me are ZAMAK build models from a company called Melcher (http://www.me-sportwaffen.de/). They build cheap gas tear and model guns since the 1960's and are still in business. I know the guy whom made the YouTube video. He used a tear gas version in caliber 9mmPAK which you can buy without a license in Germany if you are 18 years old or older. Those guns are also free to own in some other European countries. People are buying those as in those countries the legal hurdles make it hard to obtain a real gun. They use it for self security (loaded with CS gas or pepper cartouches) or for the fire works at New Year or simple as a kind of collector.

The gun on the cover of the French guns magazine is a special one-shot .22lr version for the French market. In the 1980's single shot .22lr pistols with a certain minimal barrel length have been free to own in France. Beside Melcher also Erma did also produce a model (the KGP69E). Those pistols are quite rare today as these guns do need a firearms license in France since the 1990's.

The gun your shared the three pictures is a special finished version of the Melcher gas tear and alarm pistol. It was called "antique finish" when they sold it.

Hope that helps.