air pistol

a pistol that utilizes compressed air rather than ignited gunpowder to propel a single shot, often a pellet.

Origin of air pistol

First recorded in 1955–60

But I understand there was a shot fired as well—from an air-pistol, I imagine, as there was no sound.

The Riddle of the Spinning Wheel |Mary E. Hanshew
Someone here has an air-pistol, and the owner of that has got to be found.

The Riddle of the Spinning Wheel |Mary E. Hanshew
He did not forget to arm himself quite to the teeth with his pop-gun, his bow, and his air-pistol.

The Lilac Fairy Book |Andrew Lang
But the stiletto's done the thing in one instance, and the air-pistol in the other.

The Riddle of the Spinning Wheel |Mary E. Hanshew

The air-pistol was forgotten, and the party at once adjourned to the house to make further inquiries.

Under Padlock and Seal |Charles Harold Avery