Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
It required a separate pump, and stored its air supply in a spherical chamber under the forearm, ahead of the trigger guard. It was extremely expensive to manufacture, and rather finicky. I believe it was somewhere around .50 caliber, and closely matched tho power and accuracy of a normal muzzle loader of the period, while being more reliable in bad weather.
The Brits used similar air rifles in the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon actually decreed that anyone caught with one be summarily executed. With the relatively mild report, and lack of smoke, it was difficult to tell where the shot had come from. He didn't like that at all...
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The book went on to say how impressed the Natives were of the air gun. They had seen the muzzle loaders..but this was entirely new to them. Smart move by L&C
Amazing that it has been around that long ago.