This exact Bellows air pistol is photographed on page 214 of "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition" in which the book states, "At this time we know of two surviving Bellows pistols, one in 8mm caliber and the other in 7mm. While unmarked, the pistols appear to be from the mid-1800s and possibly made by J. Adam Kuchenreuter, a top gunmaker in Regensburg, Germany." Bellows air guns were generally made in the late 1700s to mid-1800s, with the rifles used primarily for indoor target shooting. This pistol features a conical bellows hidden in the hollowed-out wooden stock, a tip-up octagon barrel chambered in approximately 8 mm (possibly for use with darts with a hair tail) with a smooth bore that loads from the breech and releases with a lever that protrudes through the bottom of the stock ahead of the trigger guard, and is fitted with a walnut stock with fancy floral relief carvings. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/483" hanging from the trigger guard. Information on Bellows air guns can be found on pages 213-214 of "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition". Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Fine, retains 75% original blue finish on the barrel with smooth brown patina on the balance and some scattered freckling, and defined edges. The brass exhibits an attractive golden aged patina. The stock is also fine as refinished, with a repair line visible on the right, a mild crack the length on top of the grip, and distinct recut floral relief carvings. The brass end cap is loose. The set trigger functions fine, otherwise mechanically untested. As one of only two known Bellows air pistols, this is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire one!