Air gun

Air guns were manufactured for sporting and military use as an alternative to flintlock weapons which could misfire in damp conditions. A reservoir (typically a ball) of compressed air or a pump was fitted to power the weapon. When fired air guns were virtually silent, another advantage over flintlock weaponry.

Air-powered weapons had their own major flaw in that it was difficult for the user to gauge the right pressure when firing. Too much pressure could explode the barrel; too little meant the bullet was not propelled with enough force. Air guns went out of fashion in the late 18th century as technology advanced.