Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled "Lewis and Clark’s Air Gun" and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/lewis-and-clarks-air-gun/.
Lewis and Clark’s Air Gun
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
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...and at 22 rounds of ammo at that time in history? Incredible may come to mind?
....a camouflaged nut cracker?
shanneba
Custom
The NRA museum has another example and an interesting video about the Lewis and Clark's use of it.
Watch Lewis and Clark Girandoni Air Rifle
Another interesting video that shows the speed loaders and other rifle kit parts supplied to the European military.
Watch Lewis and Clark Girandoni Air Rifle
Another interesting video that shows the speed loaders and other rifle kit parts supplied to the European military.
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Chuckbuster
Alpha
This article was awesome. I've always been an astute follower of American history and I really enjoyed reading this article. I couldn't believe that there was any use of air powered firearms at this time in our country's history. I have been under the impression that when Pyramid Air came out with their large caliber air rifle a few years back, that was the beginning of the use air powered firearms. Oh baby what a history lesson.
Talyn
SAINT
Where I've lived & my travels I've been on ~1,800 miles of the Lewis & Clark Trail between Astoria, Oregon and the Montana/North Dakota state line on both of their trips going & coming back.
I just need another 500 miles to cover their west-borne route from the N. Dakota line to Great Falls, MT. Will need to do that on my sea kayak going down river from Great Falls on the Missouri.
I just need another 500 miles to cover their west-borne route from the N. Dakota line to Great Falls, MT. Will need to do that on my sea kayak going down river from Great Falls on the Missouri.
Chuckbuster
Alpha
Shanneba, thanks for the link.. As always a great history lesson from the NRA Museum!
Classified
Professional
Activates the cam.
It can be amazing to think about, that type of weapon, that technology, was created and used over 200 years ago to this date, before electronic computers or more modern modern machinery methods and some people are just hearing about it now?
In perspective, what's actually available now to a select few that's kept discretely tucked away from average person? May make a person think about what? And, it should?
In perspective, what's actually available now to a select few that's kept discretely tucked away from average person? May make a person think about what? And, it should?
Keystone19250
SAINT
Didn’t have any idea air rifles went that far back in history. Very enlightening article.
Bemused Berserker
Elite
Once again,, AL has published an Excellent Article with the history of a truly innovative, ahead of its time weapon, ignored by the history books for the most part. I'm really intrigued that the evidence strongly supports that Dr. Beeman's rifle is the original rifle Lewis carried.
Theoretically, one could use air to achieve projectile velocities rivaling modern smokeless powders. It's the practicality problem of achieving 5 digit pounds per square inch of air or another gas in a small enough package to carry.
Still 800 PSI in the early 19th century is pretty impressive, considering the technology of the day and the still primitive metallurgy of the era. Pressure Vessels were still low pressure at the time and not in common use yet. Girondoni was definitely at the forefront with his concept, design and execution. 1500 stroke of a hand pump to get it up to pressure. My arm aches even thinking about it.
Thank you for an enjoyable article.
Theoretically, one could use air to achieve projectile velocities rivaling modern smokeless powders. It's the practicality problem of achieving 5 digit pounds per square inch of air or another gas in a small enough package to carry.
Still 800 PSI in the early 19th century is pretty impressive, considering the technology of the day and the still primitive metallurgy of the era. Pressure Vessels were still low pressure at the time and not in common use yet. Girondoni was definitely at the forefront with his concept, design and execution. 1500 stroke of a hand pump to get it up to pressure. My arm aches even thinking about it.
Thank you for an enjoyable article.