Designed to give the carrier a potent yet subtle weapon, cane guns like this were a boon to anyone with good reason to keep a weapon in hand, such as the entire population of London after sundown, but the clandestine nature of the weapon, combined with the significantly reduced report compared to a conventional firearm, also made them popular with poachers of birds and small game. Measuring 38 inches fully assembled, this weapon is designed to give the appearance of a simple walking stick, with a brass tip, wood grain veneer and a turned handle. The tip screws off to reveal the muzzle, with a 44 caliber smooth bore and a 32 caliber rifled sleeve, a pair of low profile fixed sights along the top, and a firing stud and cocking key on the left and bottom. The most prominent feature is the breech, which has a ball tipped lever to open it for loading. Unscrewing into two pieces at the center, the stock/gas assembly is marked "W. WATSON & SON/LONDON" on the face; originally a producer of lanterns, William Watson (operating as William Watson & Son circa 1868-1883) grew to be a supplier of photographic equipment, precision optics, and a small quantity of firearms. With a brown leather case, which contains the rifle, an air pump marked with Watson's London address, a single cavity steel bullet mold, a cast steel patch cutter, and a cocking key.

Fine. The weapon retains 75% of the original veneer, with some brown paint touch-ups of the flaking and scuffs. A small crack is forming on the front collar of the rifled sleeve. The case is very good, with some separation of the corners, separation of the straps and mild scuffing. The retailer label is very fine. Mechanically untested. A very interesting and unique London made air cane.