This impressive embellished air pistol utilizes the Girardoni repeating system, and this exact example is photographed and described on pages 598 and 601 of the book "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition". The Girardoni (sometimes spelled "Girandoni") is easily the most famous early air rifle (pistol in this case) or windbuchse largely thanks to the fact that for many years it has been associated with Lewis & Clark and their famous Corps of Discovery Expedition. It is widely believed that they either had a Girardoni or a very similar design by Isaiah Lukens of Philadelphia. The Girardoni was designed by Bartolomeo Girardoni around 1779 and is also significant as one of the first widely used repeating martial arms, with a magazine tube on the right side of the barrel for use with lead balls and a breech block that is able to be pressed sideways against spring pressure for loading/repeating capability. The rifles were notably used by Austrian sharpshooters from 1787-1815. Because the air tanks took around 30 minutes of pumping by hand to bring to full pressure, the riflemen had assistants that repressurized the reservoirs initially and later also had more efficient wagon mounted pumps. "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. This attractive example is silver inlaid with maker marking "GIRARDONI" on top of the octagon barrel and signed "in Penzing" on the lock, chambered in approximately .38 caliber/9.5 mm with fine twelve-groove rifling, dovetail mounted blade front sight, notch rear sight built into the brass frame, a walnut stock and a leather wrapped metal stock reservoir. Features floral and martial motifs engraved on top of the barrel at the breech, on top of the brass frame, sideplate, lock, hammer, trigger guard and fittings. Floral relief carving on the bottom of the walnut stock with checkered forend. Absent ramrod. Circular brass collection tag marked "R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2913" hanging from the trigger guard. More information on Girardoni air guns can be found in the online article at https://www.beemans.net/Austrian%20airguns.htm, as well as pages 598-601 of "Blue Book of Airguns, Thirteenth Edition". Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection

Fine, with traces of blue finish in protected areas of the iron with bright surfaces on the balance, a few minor patches of pitting, nearly all of the original silver inlay, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, and sharp engraving and markings. The leather is also fine with scattered handling marks and some light age related wear. The stock is fine with some light scratches and handling marks, and distinct checkering and carvings. Mechanically fine.