Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting. "Wind guns" had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This air gun is chambered in approximately .42 caliber/10.5 mm with a smooth bore, fixed notch rear sight, and a metal buttstock air reservoir. This example is also likely of Austrian or German origin and features an exposed lock, with a cocking lever that doubles as a hammer for functioning. The gun has no visible markings. Two circular brass collection tags marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/459" and "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/852" are hanging from the gun. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection