The flat bevelled lock is signed "C-NORTMANN/A BERLIN." Johann Christoph Nortmann was active in Berlin into the mid-18th century in Berlin and worked as a gunmaker to the royal court per Heer's "Der Neue Stockel." Air rifles or windbüchse were primarily guns of the elite such as members of the courts, and they are rarely seen. This gun resembles the typical German hunting rifle of the time and would no doubt have formed part of a stand of arms in a hunting lodge. The gun has traditional rifle style blade and notch sights on the barrel which also has a brass girdle at the transition point and a brass bore liner and tang. The cock is shaped similar to a jawless flintlock cock. The furniture is brass. The stock has raised tear drop flats, rococo scrollwork carving at the breech, and a large cheek piece. Unusually, the brass ball reservoir is mounted above the lock rather than beneath it.

Fine with mostly dark brown and gray patina, some mild oxidation, and general small scratches and marks. The brass has attractive aged patina. The stock is fair and has cracks in the forend and at the tail of the lock and left side of the butt as well as a splice at the heal. The carving is somewhat smoothed but distinct. The seals are almost certainly non-functioning, but the lock mechanism is mechanically excellent.