Meriwether Lewis' air rifle

http://www.youtube.com ^ | February 1, 2011 | NFMCurator·

[NKP_Vet]

Lewis and Clark's secret weapon - a late 18th Century .46 cal. 20 shot repeating air rifle by Girandoni , as used bin the Napoleonic Wars. A Treasure Gun from the NRA National Firearms Museum.

[NKP_Vet]

This is a great video. Would love to fire this rifle.

[yarddog]

I read their complete journal. Lewis killed a deer with it. The Indians had flintlock rifles and understood how they worked tho some had never seen a White Man.

They were fascinated by the air gun tho.

[TaMoDee]

I too read the journals —— Twice. Once straight thru and then 200 years to the date, day by day. Like you state, Lewis used the air rifle many times.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Interesting clip. Thanks for the post.

[NKP_Vet]

“Undaunted Courage” a great book. Still waiting for an epic Hollywood movie to be made about the Corps of Discovery.
It’s never been done. The movie could be taken from
Ambrose’s great book.

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

Wasn’t it Lewis who got shot in the Butt by a French dude? Maybe Clark shot him by accident?

[mylife]

20 shot silent .46?
This would be banned by DiFi and Obama. LOL

[babygene]

An interesting side note about air rifles...

This only works for the pump up type. If you add diesel fuel, or better yet nitro and alcohol(model airplane fuel) inside the rear skirt of the pellet, add this on a bit of cotton stuffed inside the skirt...

When you fire the gun the fuel explodes due to the diesel compression. Much more power...

[BreezyDog]

This is my RWS Diana Magnum 350 air gun. She's a beast:

[mylife]

Also, Lewis NEVER discharged all of the rounds in the Indian demonstrations.

The Indians were left to think that the Giardonni had endless capacity.

[mylife]

That thing needs to be limited to 450 fps /s

[The Cajun]

That thing needs to be limited to 450 fps /s

Don't give the Rats any ideas.
My old .22 Benjamin might still be legal, put 12 pumps on it and it'll push 750 fps :)

[expat1000]

800 psi - wow!! Amazing they could make seals in those days that would keep the pressure up for 40 rounds.

Thanks for posting!

[Liberty Valance]

I got to hear Stephen Ambrose speak about Lewis & Clark at the local College before he passed away. Riveting.

[mylife]

I grew up with the venerable Benjamin.

[The Cajun]

Still have the .22 pistol 500fps and the rifle.
Both still working great, a drop of 3 & 1 oil on the pump felt every year or so, ready to go, never had to put a pump kit in either, probably shouldn't brag about that, LOL.

[GraceG]

Maybe we should find a way to make more of these but with modern tech, could be useful if they decide to ban bullets and gun powder.

[mylife]

I thought the seal was leather?

Last one I looked at was inop.
It was old.
Maybe it just looked like leather from age.
Jeez that was 25 years ago.

[mylife]

It was all brass and wood.

[The Cajun]

Have never looked at the seals, never had reason too.
Thought they would be orings or quad rings.
Did notice that a gun shop I go to, has kits for both rifle and pistol.
Hardly mess with them anymore, but you're supposed to store them with 2 pumps, have always done that.
When I take them out and dry fire before oiling, they always *POP* after all these years, so I suspect the ancient seals are still not leaking.
They probably wouldn't hold up under active use however.