The other thing that puzzles me is the fact that his book was never published. At the time that his contact with the outside world abruptly stopped in 2015, his book was virtually ready for publication. This was the last email I received from him, dated November 22, 2015:

URGENT Girardoni air reservoir waxy lining URGENT TIME LINE
Robert Beeman <drairgun@beemans.net>

Hi, John - I have been badly delayed by serious health in preparing the printer’s draft on my magnus opus -the star among my lifetime of scientific and airgun research. My doctors indicate that I should be able to get it published with some help from friends. Will you please give it a once over - for accuracy and esp. the imaging of this one of 18 chapters. Cover Price est, $100.00

It would be a great loss to airgun literature if it never appears in print, irrespective of any controversy about the Lewis & Clark claim.