Brothers David and Joseph Lurch were listed as gallery gun makers in New York as early as 1863. "DAVID LURCH, N.Y." marked on the top flat at the breech. Air guns of this style were used primarily for indoor gallery target shooting as produced during the Civil War era. This gallery air gun has a swivel breech, octagon barrel chambered in approximately .26 caliber/6.5 mm with a smooth bore, dovetail mounted blade front sight and notch rear sight, and is mounted with a walnut forend and buttstock with a checkered wrist. It functions through the use of hand crank (not included) that is attached the right side for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. "184" marked on the right of the frame. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/1385" hanging from the trigger guard. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Fair, with smooth brown patina, scattered light pitting, and mostly clear engraving. The wood is also good with scattered scratches and chips, and a replacement section on the bottom of the forend. Mechanically untested.