This "windbuchse" (wind rifle) at first glance looks like a conventional flintlock sporting rifle, but it is actually a muzzleloading air rifle with a concealed stock reservoir and a trapdoor on the buttplate for access. Johann Christian Wentzlau (spelled Wenzlau on this example) is listed as active circa 1747-1784 in Koblenz and was a court gunsmith to the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and also to Ehrnbreitstein fortress. He produced both "flintlock" and "wheellock" (see the previous lot) air rifles for his wealthy clients. These advanced rifles would have been primarily used for hunting by the nobility, and some examples were designed to be convertible for use with compressed air or black powder. Some examples remain in European collections such as at Berleburg Castle and the Kranichstein Hunting Museum. The tapered octagonal barrel has dovetailed blade and notch sights. The flat beveled lock is signed "WENZLAU/A EHRNBREITSTEIN/No 214" and is a complete flintlock mechanism, but the barrel does not have a vent for use with black powder. The rifle is equipped with adjustable double set triggers and brass mounts aside from the dark horn forend tip. The stock has some relief scroll carving and molding. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine with silver gray patina and minor oxidation on the iron, broken jaw screw, attractive aged patina on the brass mounts, some cracks in the otherwise fine stock, distinct markings and carving, and mild overall wear. The set triggers and lock function fine. The air mechanism has not been tested.