This sporting air gun follows the classic breech loading ball reservoir pattern popular in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century and was manufactured or retailed by William Pritchard of Birmingham most likely around 1830-1850. One of his advertisements from 1838 lists "RIFLES AND AIR GUNS OF THE MOST MODERN INVENTIONS." Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting. "Wind guns" had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they produced quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. Ball reservoirs were in use since the late 17th century and had the added advantage of being easily swapped out. This piece has a small post front sight, round Damascus barrel terminating in a short octagonal section at the breech, fine scroll engraving on the action, trigger guard, and buttplate tang; silver wedge and thumb plates, "Pritchard" in script on the left side of the action, a left side lever for rotating the breech block, a 4 inch in diameter ball shaped air reservoir, smooth forearm with horn tip, and checkered buttstock.