Lewis & Clark Air Rifle

Johnny McCrae · March 10, 2011, 05:22:53 AM

A friend of mine sent me this. Its about the Air Rifle that Lewis & Clark carried with them on their journey out west.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/451309/thread/1296928404/This+is+just+to+cool+not+to+spread+around

I'm amazed at what was designed and manufactured over 200 years ago especially firearms manufacturing during the 1850's to 1890's. Does anyone know when Colt or Winchester started to use electricity to power their machinery?

River City John · March 10, 2011, 07:19:02 AM

Interesting!

Silver Creek Slim · March 10, 2011, 07:34:49 AM

That's fer sharing, pard.

Slim

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 10, 2011, 10:22:41 AM

I did some in-depth research, and found many commentaries & blogs on the Youtube and NRA article. I dug a bit deeper, page 4 of the google-hits, and found this; It includes info on reproducing the Girandoni air rifle.

http://www.beemans.net/Austrian%20airguns.htm

Beemans, of course, would be the prime repository for airgun knowledge. Recently I read an online article on how the Lewis & Clark airgun was located and identified, but can't put my finger on it at present. (Someone sent me a link.)

I found this linked at the end of the above article; A RED HERRING! It follows an earlier enquiry of a LUKENS air rifle

http://www.beemans.net/Lewis%20&%20Clark%20Airgun.htm

Here is the correct link, also from Beeman's article, identifying the GIRANDONI;

http://www.beemans.net/lewis-assault-rifle.htm

Delmonico · March 10, 2011, 10:24:40 AM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on March 10, 2011, 05:22:53 AM

I'm amazed at what was designed and manufactured over 200 years ago especially firearms manufacturing during the 1850's to 1890's. Does anyone know when Colt or Winchester started to use electricity to power their machinery?

I take a different view on this, I am amazed that the fact that these rifles were made surprises folks. What they don't mention is that these cost many times the price of an ordinary rifle. Skilled craftsman, with good hand tools, can make many things that will amaze most folks, what about pocket watches?

As for the Winchester Colt question do you mean electrical power or powered machine tools. Not sure on electrical power, but as far as powered machine tools, the answer is from the beginning. The tools were powered by a main overhead shaft which had belts and pulleys that powered the machines. These shafts were powered either by water or steam. In fact a lot of the first electrical power used big motors that still powered these shafts.

A picture of the lineshaft system, dates to 1925 here and is for wool spinning, but the principal is the same:

Also a drawing that shows how the speed was varied:

Johnny McCrae · March 10, 2011, 11:47:50 AM

Del, I meant electricity to power the counter-shafts. I've seen pictures of of the machine tools that were used from the beginning with either steam or water power.

I guess what amazes me is that quality firearms were mass produced by skilled craftsmen without modern machine tools and electricity. I'd sure like to go back in time and tour the Colt or Winchester factory.

Delmonico · March 10, 2011, 12:21:21 PM

OK, wasn't sure what you meant. I'd guess in the 20th Century when AC became the power standard, would most likely take a big motor on 440 3 phase to power one.

Johnny McCrae · March 10, 2011, 12:49:05 PM

Del,
Thanks for the information and picture. Reminds me of the machine shops my father worked in during World War II

Delmonico · March 10, 2011, 01:27:17 PM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on March 10, 2011, 12:49:05 PM
Del,
Thanks for the information and picture. Reminds me of the machine shops my father worked in during World War II

A lot of that machinery from the late 19th century is still in use, some of it is now computer controlled though.

Johnny McCrae · March 12, 2011, 05:26:40 AM

Sir Charles,
I went to the links you posted regarding the Beeman's articles on air rifles. They were fascinating and very informative . Thank you for posting this

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 12, 2011, 12:45:46 PM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on March 12, 2011, 05:26:40 AM
Sir Charles,
I went to the links you posted regarding the Beeman's articles on air rifles. They were fascinating and very informative . Thank you for posting this

Thanks Johnny;

w.b. masterson · March 13, 2011, 03:45:34 AM

The American Rifleman had an article about the Lewis & Clark air rifle (actually, there were two built). To date, only one has been located. I believe it's in the Smithsonian, but I'm not sure. Been too long since I read the article.

Dead I · March 20, 2011, 06:00:53 PM

Quote from: w.b. masterson on March 13, 2011, 03:45:34 AM
The American Rifleman had an article about the Lewis & Clark air rifle (actually, there were two built). To date, only one has been located. I believe it's in the Smithsonian, but I'm not sure. Been too long since I read the article.

I recall this article. They did believe that they had found an original L&C air rifle. They were made illegal to use in warfare in Europe. Funny. But at the time there were very effective, shot hard and far enough to hurt. Fifteen hundred strokes to charge up the air chamber, but they got 40 shots, I think. Maybe 20. That's pretty good.

Bow View Haymaker · April 05, 2011, 02:24:09 PM

A few years ago i checked the audio books of lewis and clarks journals from the library. About 24 tapes if I remember. It references them dememtraiting the air rifle to the indians several times. The gun that "made no sound" always amaized them.

The jounals cover alot of things I never knew but they write about them as common. like eating horse, dog. And the many narrow escapes they had.

Delmonico · April 05, 2011, 03:04:38 PM

Quote from: Bow View Haymaker on April 05, 2011, 02:24:09 PM
A few years ago i checked the audio books of lewis and clarks journals from the library. About 24 tapes if I remember. It references them dememtraiting the air rifle to the indians several times. The gun that "made no sound" always amaized them.

The jounals cover alot of things I never knew but they write about them as common. like eating horse, dog. And the many narrow escapes they had.

And the diet, did you notice how many times when eating strange food the noted that they were "filled with wind all night long?"

Stu Kettle · April 05, 2011, 04:56:00 PM

I thought it was odd that the salmon over on the Columbia made them all sick, so they traded all the salmon they had acquired for dog meat, which was much easier on their bellies.

Cherokee Reb · April 05, 2011, 10:22:16 PM

Anyone want an air rifle??? One is posted on the CLA site...

http://www.longrifle.ws/forsale/default.asp?age=Contemporary&orderby=&categoryID=1&curpage=6

Kind of a fun toy.

Reb

Will Ketchum · April 05, 2011, 10:30:37 PM

Quote from: Cherokee Reb on April 05, 2011, 10:22:16 PM
Anyone want an air rifle??? One is posted on the CLA site...

http://www.longrifle.ws/forsale/default.asp?age=Contemporary&orderby=&categoryID=1&curpage=6

Kind of a fun toy.

Reb

That is the type that Gun Digest feature many years ago when writing about the Lewis and Clark guns.

Will Ketchum