This is a very interesting antique air rifle marked by Hickman & Carrington of London, manufactured in the early to mid-1700's. It is unclear whether the Hickman & Carrington markings on the lock and barrel are that of the maker or of a retailer, but the design of the gun is clearly based upon that which was introduced to the British Isles by John Lawrence or Johann Gottfried Kolbe (Coleby). A key feature of these designs is that the outer "barrel" makes up the air reservoir, with an inner liner running through the center. This example has an iron liner running through the swamped reservoir. Rococo designs are featured throughout along with flourishes of acanthus scroll and border engraving, acanthus scroll side plate, sculpted breather door/hole in the right of the stock, scroll engraved buttplate, blank escutcheon on the wrist, and a full length stock carved with shells and floral motifs.