Girardoni air rifle

Girandoni air rifle
Girandoni system Austrian repeating air rifle, circa 1795, believed to have been taken on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
TypeAir rifle
Place of origin Holy Roman Empire
Service history
In service1780–1816
Used byAustrian Empire
Production history
DesignerBartolomeo Girandoni
Designed1779 or 1780
No. built1,300
Specifications
Mass4.5 kg (9.9 lb)
Length120 cm (3.9 ft)

Cartridgespherical balls
Caliber.46", 11.7 mm 146.3 grains (9.48 g), or .51", 13 mm, 201.49 grains (13.06 g)
Muzzle velocityabout 600 fps (152 m/s), 117 ft lbs (159 J)
Feed system20/21 round magazine or hopper
SightsIron

The Girandoni air rifle is an air gun designed by Italian inventor Bartolomeo Girandoni circa 1779. The weapon was also known as the Windbüchse ("wind rifle" in German). One of the rifle's more famous associations is its use on the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore and map the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.