This is just tooo kewl not to spread around

[fastfire]

This is the air rifle that Lewis and Clark took on their expedition and AMAZED the Indians! It takes 1500 strokes to pump this rifle to full pressure, after which it could shoot more than 400 .46 cal. round balls, each of which can blast a clean hole through a 1 inch pine board at 100 yards. This is a VERY interesting gun! How many of you very gun- knowledgeable folks out there even knew that a rifle like this ever existed, especially back then? This video is with sound and great on full screen.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/451309/thread/1296928404

[rsterne]

The performance claims are vastly exaggerated.... Each shot was weaker than the last, you might be able to shoot 40 shots to empty, about 10 of which had decent power.... Still, it was a remarkable piece of airgun history....

Bob

[mikeym1a]

If you looked at the link, the narrator said that he had the chance to fire a reproduction of that air rifle, and that it fired approx 40rds before the muzzle velocity dropped off to any extent. If you look on YouTube, there is a series of videos showing the building of the reproduction. It was very interesting. Most of the hi-powered air rifles of today are single shots. What made the Giaridoni unique was it's magazine. I would love to have one, and at least 5 spare butt-stocks/reservoirs. Neat gun. mikey

[rsterne]

Modern reproduction of the Girardoni, running at 1000 psi (original used 800).... Velocity (fps) and Energy (FPE)....

650 135.08
643 132.186
570 103.876
621 123.296
584 109.041
546 95.312
578 106.812
596 113.568
510 83.158
586 109.789
489 76.451
540 93.229
484 74.895
496 78.655
487 75.827
455 66.189
425 57.749
445 63.312
415 55.063
479 73.356

Believe what you want, but realize that the original claims are impossible to achieve with modern technology.... It sure impressed the Indians, though, no doubt about that....

Bob

[HARRYMPOPE]

I live in Wa state on the Snake River right on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Where the snake runs into the Columbia at Sacajawea Park they had a thing for the kids last year. The fellows all dressed up knew quite a bit about the rifle. They also backed up the low velocity of it.it was nice that they were "gunny" and not just actors.