Originally Posted by
DT Fletcher
One of the things I've always thought about the claim that the indians were somehow overwhelmed by the demonstration of the air gun is that everyone was impressed with the demonstration of the air gun. Even today, a demonstration of a large bore air gun is likely to attract interest and attention.
However, one of the hardest points to believe, at least for me, is the claim that the Merriwether Lewis air gun was made by Girandoni himself in Vienna. The hardest part to believe about this particular claim is how in the heck did an air gun made in eastern europe, Vienna, make it's way to Philadelphia by 1802? It was not the Habsburg Monarchy who ruled the waves. It was the British who entirely ruled the commercial trade to America at this time. A big part of that trade was advanced manufactured goods that were the product of the industrial revolution in England. A revolution that Vienna would have to wait for the wars with Napoleon to finally end in 1815. Also, one of the firms that Lewis is known to have visited during his shopping trip to Philadelphia was Tom's of London where he purchased advanced manufactured instruments.
It has been shown by London city tax records that Staudenmayer, a primary builder and designer of air guns in London, started his business by 1799. So, the so often repeated contention that the Girandoni-style air gun carried by M. Lewis had to be from Vienna is just silly. Take air guns out of the question. Where were the advanced instruments carried by M. Lewis made? Answer: London.
Back in 2004, there was the celebration of the 200 year anniversary of the L&C expedition with a traveling exhibition of relics. One of the items in this display was the Staudenmayer Girandoni air gun from the Milwaukee Public Museum. This exhibition came to Portland, so, I got a very good look at it. First, this Staudenmayer looks exactly the same as shown in Baker/Currie. But, most dramatic to me was the condition. It was absolutely pitch black. Not a shiny bit to be seen. Exactly like one would expect a gun that had been hand carried for two years in the field to look. Interesting to note that this example also happens to be missing the rear sight; something M. Lewis mentions in his diary as being a problem.
All the evidence that I've seen, indicates that the Lewis and Clark air gun was proudly made in London. Rule Britannia!