"--STAUDENMAYER LONDON--" gold inlaid on top of the barrel ahead of a 16-point star on top of the breech. A noted London gunmaker, Samuel Henry Staudenmayer (1801-1834) was listed as active at 32 Cockspur St., and originally apprenticed under John Manton. He manufactured firearms for the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting, with this high quality engraved example being of the type used by an individual with wealth and status. "Wind guns" had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. It is chambered in approximately .47 caliber/11.5 mm and features a smoothbore octagon barrel that loads at the breech end utilizing a faucet breech system with a lever located on the left, a magazine tube beneath the barrel allowing repeating capability, an external hammer and mainspring, and a leather wrapped metal stock air reservoir. Features engravings of martial motifs on the lock, sideplate and trigger guard, and a lion standing on top of a crown engraved on top of the frame (unknown history). Circular brass collection tag "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2082" hanging from the trigger guard. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Fine, with a mix of original brown finish and brown patina on the barrel with scattered patches of light pitting, strong patterns of case colors and smooth gray and brown patina on the casehardened surfaces, 75% original blue finish on the trigger guard, retains nearly all of the gold inlay, exhibits attractive golden aged patina on the brass, with sharp engraving. The leather on the stock reservoir is good with mild age related wear, cracking and absent sections. The breech lever is included separately due to an absent screw, otherwise mechanically fine. Absent magazine tube door catch.