Manufactured c. late 1700s. Sunken gold rectangle maker's marks with "Wallis/Hull" in two lines on both the lockplate and breech area of the barrel. This is likely the maker mark of George Wallis, as another similar ball reservoir air rifle signed "G. Wallis" was previously sold by Rock Island Auction Company (Lot 3399, December 2023); that example is photographed on page 170 of "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition". George Wallis (1731-1803) is listed as an active maker out of Hull, England, according to listed gunmaker information translated from page 1348 of "Der Neue Stockel, Volume 2" by Heer. This muzzleloading air rifle has a screw-off copper ball air reservoir. Ball reservoirs were in use since the late 17th century and had the added advantage of being easily swapped out. 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. The 31 inch part octagon/round barrel has a brass liner with fine-groove rifling and measures at approximately .38 caliber/9.5 mm, with a blade front sight (partially absent) and notch rear sight with two folding leafs. Fitted with a full-length walnut stock with a checkered wrist and an iron ramrod with brass tip. Features high quality ornate engraving consisting of floral and martial motifs with borders on the barrel tang, lockplate, cocking lever, trigger guard, buttplate tang, and lower tang with a pineapple engraved finial. NOTE: Due to state and local laws, this lot is not available for purchase or transfer to residents of Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island or Delaware.

Fine, retains much of the original brown finish, strong patterns of case colors showing on the lockplate, and nearly all of the attractive bright gold inlay with some areas of minor freckling, and absolutely sharp engraving overall. Stock is also fine with crisp checkering, some scattered light dings and scratches, and distinct edges. Mechanically fine.