Josef Rutte is listed as an active maker between circa 1820-1850 out of Ceska Lipa, Czechoslovakia. "RUTTE IN BOH.. LEIPPA" silver inlaid on the top of the barrel. Air guns of this style were used primarily for indoor target shooting. "Wind guns" had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and they also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This gallery air gun has a tip-up octagon barrel that loads from the breech, chambered in approximately .28 caliber/7 mm with a smooth bore, dovetail mounted blade front sight and folding notch rear sight, and is mounted with a hardwood forend and buttstock with a checkered wrist, wire inlays on the left and a high quality relief carved dragon head on bottom. It functions through the use of a crank handle (not included) that is inserted in the right side for cocking in order to fill the cylinder reservoir with air, and upon pulling the trigger the spring loaded piston releases. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Very good, with some scattered very light pitting on the bright iron surfaces, nearly all of the silver inlay, 30% original silver finish with a tarnished appearance and attractive bright golden patina on the balance of the brass. The wood is also very good with some scattered handling marks, a few cracks and repairs visible, and distinct checkering and carving. Mechanically untested, and the latch for the tip-up barrel is partially absent/broken off.