The air rifle that Lewis and Clark took on their expedition

[Dog1]

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/lewis-and-clarks-girandoni-air-rifle/

 

[dvd1955]

Just finished reading this book. Sad the way his life ended. The book mentions the rifle a few times.

 

[Ed steinberry]

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/lewis-and-clarks-girandoni-air-rifle/

When I first found out about the Lewis and Clark air rifles it inspired me to get into PCP air rifle shooting. Love those things.

 

[Noble Sniper]

Thanks for sharing…. Very good article and still amazes me to this day!!

 

[breakingcontact]

Thanks for sharing…. Very good article and still amazes me to this day!!

Same here!

 

[Magyars]

Just finished reading this book. Sad the way his life ended. The book mentions the rifle a few times.
View attachment 225243

Good book.
One factor that has stayed with me after reading it.
On the return to St Louis the expedition was out of everything but guns and ammo.
I call that a huge success!

 

[cosermann]

Great article. Funny how the Austrian Army couldn't keep the Girandoni running (with all the emperor's resources), but the Lewis & Clark expedition did just fine (in the wilderness).

 

[marvin02]

A research study:

Girandoni air rifles and Girandoni style air guns - A major research study.

 

[jwamplerusa]

This US army staff ride on Lewis and Clark expedition, the Corps of Discovery, is an excellent read.

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/StaffRideHB_CorpsofDiscovery.pdf

 

[Remington 90T]

On the return to St Louis the expedition was out of everything but guns and ammo.
I call that a huge success!

What amazed me was how they keep their powder dry, in sealed lead containers, with each container, melted down, would make enough balls for the powder it held. Lewis and Clark daily journals are another great read.

 

[Dingleberry]

Was the L&C air rifle lethal?

 

[Mgderf]

Was the L&C air rifle lethal?

Oh yes

 

[Remington 90T]

Ran across this air gun on display at our gun show last weekend. 1710 -1720

 

[Ark]

The Girandoni is flat out amazing for the time, as is the idea that it was taken on a totally self sufficient expedition and repaired in the field.

850psi pressure vessels and pumps in the 1700s is bonkers.

 

[mcapo]

Fascinating!

 

[midwestmobster]

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/lewis-and-clarks-girandoni-air-rifle/

I had no clue air rifles existed back then.

 

[Stengun]

Yes undaunted courage is an awesome book. These air rifles were very advanced for the times