Working History — C. 1825
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.
This air gun was made for hunting by William Parker, who had a shop at 233 High Holborn. His workshop and stores were located on Chamber Street near the Tower of London. During his highly successful career he made sporting guns for members of the Royal Family, including William IV. He also had major corporate clients such as the East India Company and the Hudson Bay Company. Between 1807 and 1812 Parker was licensed by the Privy Council to export firearms abroad. He made high quality guns for clients in Constantinople, Smyrna, Malta, Bombay and Calcutta. Parker later supplied guns to the Metropolitan Police after it was founded in 1829.
- Category:
- Working History
- Object ID:
- A12878
- Object name:
- air gun
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Parker, William
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- c. 1825
- Material:
steel, wood, brass, gold
- Measurements/duration:
- L 1270 mm, W 50 mm, H 180 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.