The Air Rifle that won the west in the 1800s

[Airgunoregon]

The Girandoni Air Rifle: The Lewis and Clark Expedition's Secret Weapon

Almost entirely phased out by 1810, it was during the Lewis and Clark expedition that the Girandoni air rifle fully came into its own.

warfarehistorynetwork.com

Has technology done as well as this Air Rifle of 1,803 that Lewis and Clark conquered the Western USA with... without killing anyone? Just by demonstrating this amazing air rifle for the Native Americans .. 200 plus years ago??? The ultimate bluffing game for sure.

Low Psi shooting 22- 46 cal balls in less than 30 seconds at 1,000fps with about 800psi created with hand pumps.. and replaceable air tanks. Currently, a .45 cal lead ball weighs in at 137grains...

Who can do better now in the marketplace?

Wayne

 

[BryanH]

I think you could set up a Texan to do it, with a hand made tubular magazine of some sort and a custom, oversized air tank. But i don’t think you can buy anything like that in current production.

 

[Doc C.]

Amazing craftsmanship considering the time period.
I would really like to see one. Better yet, actually handle or shoot one.

Doc

 

[RickH]

As much as I am enjoying the classics these days I wish they would make it again. I’d probably buy one.

Rick H.

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

Blows me away to think they had that stuff and then set it aside.for newer technology (powder burners). Like most technology; they eventually get bored with the new and revert back to try and figure out where they were when they switched. Look around; gaming, cars, "we can't get back to the moon", etc...

 

[Red_Ryder_Sniper]

At one point a reproduction was made, but I was never able to find them for sale

 

[dv8eod]

There was a guy on YouTube who was advertising to make them. IIRC extremely expensive and a long waiting list. Wish I could remember his name. Been a few years since I looked.

 

[SupremaRatio]

It was an Italian handmade rifle, built by the watchmaker GILARDONI (this is actually the real name of the guns). It was used by Austrian soldiers and other. It was so "dangerous" (due to the lack of noise and smoke) that Napoleon ordered to kill everyone founded in possession.

http://www.beemans.net/Austrian airguns.htm

 

[rjoe]

I wonder how they came up with those numbers? An actual test with the original gun or a replica?
22 shots with a 140 (+/-) gr projectile at 1000 fps sound good for a modern gun.

 

[Airgunoregon]

I wonder how they came up with those numbers? An actual test with the original gun or a replica?
22 shots with a 140 (+/-) gr projectile at 1000 fps sound good for a modern gun.

I think that Beeman tested the GILARDONI he acquired to get the actual power.

About 10 years ago, I met a couple guys at a field target match at LD,s ranch, that had made some Gilardoni replicas and we got to shoot them.. It was very cool. I didn't get a card or anything.. so don't remember his name.. but there is or at least was... someone out there building replicas.

Wayne

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Amazing craftsmanship considering the time period.
I would really like to see one. Better yet, actually handle or shoot one.

Doc

The key is Craftsman not computer generated

Now no real human hands on just the computer says its good , make it ( cnc), sell it and you work out all the QC issues..

 

[AirNGasman]

The Lewis & Clark airgun is probably the most historic, most overlooked weapon in Human history since David's sling and stone. I'd bet good money that less than 5% of Americans know about the airgun that opened their continent.

 

[AirNGasman]

I think that Beeman tested the GILARDONI he acquired to get the actual power.

About 10 years ago, I met a couple guys at a field target match at LD,s ranch, that had made some Gilardoni replicas and we got to shoot them.. It was very cool. I didn't get a card or anything.. so don't remember his name.. but there is or at least was... someone out there building replicas.

Wayne

Sounds like Mike Reames.

 

[KWK]

Isn’t that rifle at the Army War College in Carlisle Pa? Right down the road from here.

 

[Airgunoregon]

I read that Beeman donated it back the the Pentagon... so that could be right.

Wayne

 

[KWK]

If you read Beemans air gun digest
You will see he claimed a different rifle to be the Louis and Clark gun. At that time. Later he writes how they proved the current rifle is “the one”

 

[Airgunoregon]

Looks like one was auctioned off for $28,500 Dec. 2nd 2018

Collectible Firearms for Serious Gun Collectors

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www.rockislandauction.com

 

[KWK]

If you read Beemans air gun digest
You will see he claimed a different rifle to be the Louis and Clark gun. At that time. Later he writes how they proved the current rifle is “the one”

New Page 1

 

[SupremaRatio]

Looks like one was auctioned off for $28,500 Dec. 2nd 2018

Collectible Firearms for Serious Gun Collectors

Rock Island Auction holds over 12 gun auctions per year. We buy & sell collectible firearms for serious gun collectors, including antique firearms & military arms. Click now to start selling your guns & investing in collectables today.

www.rockislandauction.com

Daaaamn, I'm Italian, but with the wrong surname!

 

[Mr303]

Interesting reading

Lewis's Air Gun - Discover Lewis & Clark

Of the Indians, Lewis wrote that it "astonishes them very much, they cannot comprehend it's shooting so often and without powder."

lewis-clark.org