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. This unique example has no visible marker markings and has a rotating faucet breech that loads from the top when in full cock. When the trigger is pulled, the faucet breech rotates and lines up with the bore, while simultaneously allowing air to pass through in order to propel the ball. It is chambered in approximately .42 caliber/10.5 mm and features a part octagon barrel, blade front sight and notch rear sight, and a shagreen (shark or stingray skin) wrapped iron stock air reservoir. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Very good, retains 50% thinning original brown finish on the barrel and 60% original blue finish on the frame, with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance and scattered patches of light freckling/pitting. The shagreen is fair with mild cracking and age related wear. Mechanically fine.