Though this example offered looks like a flintlock long arm, it is actually a smoothbore muzzleloading air gun with a concealed stock reservoir that has a trapdoor on the buttplate for filling access. 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 like the flintlocks that this example is modeled after. Blade front sight, scooped rear sight integral to the brass breech tang, lock with beveled edges and a goose neck cock. Fitted with a hardwood stock with relief carved teardrop flats and some floral carvings at the edges, a horn end cap, with floral engravings on top of the brass wrist plate and light border engraving on the brass buttplate. Part of the trigger guard/grip section is broken off but included separately. Absent ramrod and front screw on the left sideplate. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/079" hanging from the trigger guard. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Good with a mix of an old applied brown finish on the barrel with brown and gray patinas on the balance, traces of an old refinished blue finish on the lock and its components with brown patina, some scattered patches of light pitting, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass with crisp engraving. The stock is also good with scattered scratches and handling marks, a few chips and cracks, and defined carvings. Mechanically fine. Broken trigger guard piece and a few absent components as mentioned above.