Lewis And Clark Air Rifle Reproduction

There were several air gun builders in the us at the time including isaiah lukens in philadelphia pa.

Lewis and clark air rifle reproduction. The weapon was also known as the windbüchse wind rifle in german one of the rifle s more famous associations is its use on the lewis and clark expedition to explore and map the western part of north america in the early 1800s. The girandoni air rifle was an airgun designed by tyrolian inventor bartholomäus girandoni circa 1779. Rifle and pump only and a cased version with compartments for the pump bullet mold extra storage etc. Gunmakers copied it across europe and not only europeans made air guns.

Meriwether lewis purchased an air gun with his own money at harpers ferry while purchasing supplies for the expedition. Repeating air guns of girardoni s design could have had either a one position full cock only or a two position half cock and full cock tumbler. Most probably the rifle would be offered two ways. These rifles could be filled with air or co2 from an outside source via an adapter no pumping required unless you want to.

Lewis spent time preparing for the expedition in philadelphia and an inventory of lukens estate included an air rifle claimed to be the expedition air rifle. The air gun was probably manufactured by isiah lukens horologist and gunsmith of philadelphia. Resin replica non firing non functioning girardoni girandoni air rifle will not fire a ball or can not be made to fire a ball used in the lewis and clark expedition here is the history the girandoni air rifle was in service with the austrian army from 1780 to around 1815. A jolt or an accidental touch on the trigger.

The air gun was utilized to impress the indians that the corps would encounter.