Anton Ascha is listed as an active maker between circa 1807-1815. Silver inlaid "Anton Ascha in Wien" on top of the barrel with "Ant. Ascha in Wien" inscribed on the lock. "Wind guns" had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. Features a smoothbore octagon barrel, blade front and notch rear sight, walnut stock with incised carving at the edges, light engraving on the lock, hammer and brass frame, and a leather wrapped metal buttstock reservoir. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2105" hanging from the trigger guard. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Very good with scattered light pitting and some light freckling on the otherwise bright iron surfaces, and attractive bright golden patina on the brass and crisp engraving. The wood stock is fine with scattered dents and scratches, a crack on the underbelly, with fine figure. The replaced leather cover on the buttstock reservoir is very good with some light age related fading. Mechanically fine.