Girardoni Air Rifle — Lewis & Clark’s “Magic” Gun That Turned Heads Most people don’t realize Lewis carried a truly unusual weapon: the Girardoni air rifle. It wasn’t just a tool — it was a psychological advantage. Unlike smoke-and-powder muskets, the air rifle fired multiple shots with little noise or cloud of smoke. When Lewis demonstrated it, tribal leaders saw something unfamiliar and powerful — and it often helped the Corps travel through new territory without escalating conflicts. We treat

The Girandoni Repeating Air Rifle