Most famous circa-1800 air rifle hunter?

[DT Fletcher]

Well, here in America that would have to be Meriwether Lewis and the air rifle of the Girandoni type that he used on his famous expedition.

However, in Europe, it would be this gentleman.

A sporting tour through various parts of France, in the year 1802 : including a concise description of the sporting establishments, mode of hunting, and other field-amusements, as practised in that country ... by Dean Fletcher - Photographer - Portland, on Flickr

Anyone here know who he is?

[Garvin]

Well, here in America that would have to be Meriwether Lewis and the air rifle of the Girandoni type that he used on his famous expedition.

However, in Europe, it would be this gentleman.

A sporting tour through various parts of France, in the year 1802 : including a concise description of the sporting establishments, mode of hunting, and other field-amusements, as practised in that country ... by Dean Fletcher - Photographer - Portland, on Flickr

Anyone here know who he is?

Would that be Colonel Thornton?

The pic is in your Flickr folder.

[DT Fletcher]

Would that be Colonel Thornton?

The pic is in your Flickr folder.

Indeed it is.

It has been a personal point of pride, that I'm reasonably sure of, that I am the only airgun person who has ever actually read the entire work (purchased a copy over 25 years ago from the UK; of course, today it's available online) and, from that, was able to figure out the actual type of air rifle that Thornton describes using.

Note: the drawings seen in Thornton are of no help. The airguns shown are the same that appeared in numerous "scientific" encyclopedias. You've got to read the book to get the answer.