Girandoni air rifle

[Clowdis]

Somewhere I remember seeing plans for this rifle but I can't remember where I saw them. I have the illustrations found in Google but that's about it. Does anyone know where there is a link to the plans for building this air rifle?

[Goo]

Ernie cowan wrote a book documenting his work recreating this gun they are difficult to find.

[120RIR]

I have several of Ernie's flintlocks but not one of his air rifles.  I didn't realize he put together a book or manuscript but if any copies are available, you might want to try his old business partner, Rick Keller, at Great War Militaria in Chambersburg, Penn.

[Dave B]

Dave Rase found a manule on building one as discribed by Ernie cowan and got it out of Scotland it cost him like $130.00 by the time he paid the fee's they levey. That was a couple of years ago. Good luck on finding one.

[Daryl]

IIRC, Lewis and Clark's air rifle was .30 cal. Someone made a replica of the Girandoni rifle in the States some time ago IIRC, seems to me and in .44 or .45 cal.?

[Clowdis]

Haven't had much luck in my searches so I think I'll try to get hold of Rick Keller and see if he has anything. Really appreciate the help guys!

[oldtravler61]

  If you look up gun builder Dennis Priddy(sp) or Preddy he use to build them. He was featured in either Muzzle Blasts or Muzzle Loader magazine a while back. He built an exact copy IIRC.
  He's a Michigan builder and he's a wealth of knowledge on them.
  Hope this helps.

[helwood]

Greetings, 
My name is Hank Elwood  and I've  added a pic of the two books talked about but if you are serious about making one only the Second Addition  is close enough to help and I would encourage you to double check all measurements.  In addition make sure of which Girardoni  part you are looking at first.  If I remember correctly they photographed x3 guns in the book.  And they are not all the same.   I built x2 Girardonis  and x3 Lukens Air Rifles.   I haven't put anything on the Forum because I thought it was Verboten.

[Clowdis]

Thank you Hank! I was able to download a free copy of vol. 2 which seems to be mostly canes but does contain a bunch of drawings of mechanisms used in air rifles/canes. Guess I'll have to fork out the coins for vol. 1. Either way, I appreciate this information, good stuff!

[Longknife]

IIRC, Lewis and Clark's air rifle was .30 cal. Someone made a replica of the Girandoni rifle in the States some time ago IIRC, seems to me and in .44 or .45 cal.?

Capt.  Lewis had a muzzle loading rifle that he called his "Small rifle" that carried 100 balls to the pound (36 cal) as described in the Journals. The Giannoni air rifle carried a ball that was .46 cal. as measured when the rifle was examined by Earnie and Rick.

[Daryl]

There ya go.