Edward Michael Reilly produced air guns and air canes in the mid-19th century, first with his father and then independently, and was "overdone with orders" after exhibiting at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and publishing "A Treatise on Air Guns, and Other Air Weapons" around 1850. The collar on the upper/rear section which contains the reservoir and the side of the browned Damascus air pump are marked "REILLY 502 OXFORD STREET LONDON IMPROVED" which was the firm's address starting in 1848. The trade label inside the case has "REILLY Gun Maker/NEW OXFORD STREET/LONDON." and lists "MANUFACTURER OF IMPROVED AIR GUNS AND AIR CANES." among the wares. The body of the reservoir and barrel sections are painted orange with brown at the joints in imitation of bamboo cane and house the concealed button trigger. The handle is dark horn. The ramrod has a brass cap that threads onto the end of the barrel which is multi-groove rifled and has a small blade sight. The overall length is 36 1/2 inches. The case contains the cane, bullet mold, and fine browned and casehardened stirrup pump.

Fine overall with some scattered age related handling and storage chips and wear, some age related damage to the horn handle, strong brown finish and Damascus patterns on the pump, mild storage wear on the case (including some loose joints), and some repairs on the interior dividers. The mechanisms have not been tested since only a portion of the incomplete cocking key is included. A very rare and hard to find cased antique air can in fine original condition.