Revolutionary Girardoni Air Rifle: A Historic Demonstration of the 18th Century Weapon

Join us as we explore the fascinating history and mechanics of the Girardoni air rifle, a groundbreaking weapon used by the Austrian army from 1780 to 1815. Known for its high rate of fire, smokeless discharge, and impressive range, this rifle was both innovative and challenging to operate. Despite its advantages, the Girardoni faced issues such as difficult maintenance and manufacturing challenges, leading to its eventual removal from service.
We'll delve into the details of its unique design, including its detachable air reservoir capable of 30 shots, which required nearly 1,500 hand pump strokes to fill. Additionally, we'll uncover its role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, where it astonished Native American tribes with its rapid fire and powder-free operation.
Watch as we demonstrate the capabilities of the Girardoni air rifle in a way never before captured on film. Witness the power and ingenuity of this historical weapon in action!
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this video possible. Special thanks to Rich Dudek of Airguns Revisions for giving us the opportunity to conduct this review. Additionally, we appreciate the support from BB Sporting Goods and Museum. Your contributions and support were invaluable.
Thank you for watching, and stay tuned for more exciting content!

[@andrewfrancis3591]

I've been fascinated by these since I was 8. First time I've seen one go pop. Worth the 58 year wait LOL Thankyou.

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

Get a Hatsan Jet 1 and a cheap Chinese handpump. Blow your mind how far we have come as a specie digging in the dirt less than 400 yrs ago.

[@andrewfrancis3591]

@@arsenelupiniii8040 I've a nice Air Arms S300 a Chinese bullpup and a electric compressor. Had a hand pump and it is probably as demanding as the Giradoni lol.

[@CJMann-zg6fu]

I never thought I would ever see one of these air rifles shoot. Thanks for a great and informative video

[@shooter1721]

Thank you for taking the time to comment and watch appreciate it

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

I love my modern air rifles. Pressure vessels were hard to create back then. The valve and all the extras were whatever, but a reliable pressure vessel, that was miraculous what they did waaaaaaay back then.

[@Hunting_Grt_whiteNorth]

@arsenelupiniii8040 agreed if the ( then politicians of the past had done their homework.) The war for America's independence should have been a lot faster and with fewer casualties on the American side. Can only imagine the change in the tide ( so to speak) with both american regulars and militia. Being suitably armed with those air rifles & up against the red coats with their muskets. Furthermore, the America units ( i.e., again given a perfect government was running the show) would also have multiple backup units / squads armed with 2-3 whitworth rifles per unit. For shooting at longer distances ( in the event the regulars had to break the lines) to take cover from any British canyons...

[@99ron30]

These things are truly astounding. Had this technology been further developed and perfected, alot of history could be very different. The advantages of repeat shots, high accuracy, zero smoke, zero flash. All pretty staggering. In those days?. Simply superb.

[@shooter1721]

I agree . I believe I could shoot 22 shots on target in one min with this air gun and for that time era that is beyond incredible! Absolutely loved making this video

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

Current PCP air guns are getting high energy and repeatability. Even my budget Hatsan Jet has been a lot of fun and cheap enough to experiment with.

[@mcchuggernaut9378]

I wonder why these weren't more widely adopted when they had so many advantages? Yes, the power dropped off to the point where they were questionably lethal at longer ranges after a few shots, but that could have, and would undoubtedly have, been overcome with future upgrades. I can think of a couple right away: A pressure gauge on the stock, and a hand-crank pump on the side so that when pressure started to drop out of the "lethal" range on the gauge, it could be cranked back up to pressure without having to take it apart. And I'm not an 1800's engineer, but we have mechanisms in modern air guns that work to keep the pressure more constant and pump up much easier, and I know they could have figured this out. I collect 1800's clocks, and the craftsmanship they display... people were VERY good at working with simple materials and hand tools, yet achieving astonishing feats of engineering and invention with them.

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

@@mcchuggernaut9378 Powder burners simply had more power. Most lethal engagements are under 50 yards, yeah, the sniper squad can boast of 500 yrd gong shots tlll they are purple, but true lethal engagements are less than 50 yrds. I love my Modern Airguns, but still carry a Katana, if SHTF. Or maybe even a chainsaw and wear a rain poncho. ( BTW, I have powder burners as well)

[@mcchuggernaut9378]

@@arsenelupiniii8040 You are of course absolutely right about the power. But being able to fire so many shots so fast, and as their testing showed at 50 yards the air gun was pretty lethal.... And you didn't have to worry about running out of powder, rain, misfires, the accuracy was great, and if power was the only real issue, they could have simply made higher-pressure guns with thicker air tanks and better compressing methods with a bit of time and a decade or so of tinkering. Still doesn't explain to me why air guns of this type fell out of favor. Maybe it's that larger firearms like cannons and howitzers and the like were just not practical to be air-powered, so they figured they should just standardize everything despite the individual advantages of air-powered rifles? Or maybe it was that the main advantages of multi-shot air powered rifles were negated by weapons with magazines or revolvers with smokeless cartridges which gave you a lot of shots quickly so long as you carried enough ammo, and didn't have the power pitfalls of air guns, just came along and rendered them moot? I find that the most likely answer. It was probably a lot of factors...

[@JP-py9xs]

Airgun Dueling pistols back in the 1750’s unbelievable

[@AckzaTV]

It's a rifle not a pistol, the pistol version is a machine gun cuz joe biden

[@TheDirtyvermonter]

This was major firepower in the 1700s. Just an unimagined amount of lead slinging down range for the time. It was issued in the Austrian military for 35 years. It also puts out about 117 ft/lbs of energy with a 146 grain lead ball. And they were using this for EVERYTHING from combat, to hunting. 😆 thats wild when you think about that and then look at modern airguns, many of which have power that rivals handguns

[@shooter1721]

The accuracy of this Airgun for that time era was simply amazing. But for it to be a repeater also is incredible. Loved getting the opportunity to make this video.

[@patrickpendergast898]

I have a new Winchester .45 cal air rifle with 5 shot rotary mag. There is a .50 cal air rifle that shoots like 550grs of lead. And it’s not that expensive either

[@damonking76]

With smaller pɛllɛts for the most part This used bullets\balls

[@SquirrelDarling1]

That air rifle is no joke! Very impressive

[@TheCutter123]

I've seen other videos of the girardoni shot, but none where I knew the shooter was an excellent shot. This truly shows what a girardoni could do, and on such low psi, with round ball ammunition. Amazing weapon.

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@FarmerFpv]

That is crazy. It was way ahead of its time. I never thought I would see one shoot. I'm so impressed. Rick, you seemed very impressed with it yourself. Great shooting as always. The perfect guy to show what it was capable of.

[@shooter1721]

I was very impressed! I didn’t want to stop shooting it

[@MikeR196]

Wow! This is awesome Rick! What a joy to see you shoot this crafty built old thing. If only anyone built (good) replicas of these I'm sure many gun geeks like me would immediately get one to enjoy. The originals belong in museums.

[@shooter1721]

That is where this one is going . This gun cost $20,000 to do an exact replica

[@MikeR196]

@@shooter1721 Yup I got that, the thing deserves a good home. Thanks for this demonstration before it's going there! 20k seems reasonable considering the whole construction (hand work) and one off/low production numbers. Guess a 100 would be quite a bit cheaper to make around 10-15.

[@telesniper2]

I don't see much point. There are air guns the equal of this and well exceeding it for some time. I made one back in 2010 in .50 caliber in CO2. I got 800 fps for 200 grain round balls for 285 ft-lbs. And this was a rather simple affair built on the same pattern as the Crosman 2260. Got about 20 shots per bulk fill of C02

[@mirandahotspring4019]

Thank you! This is the video I've been waiting for since I saw a Girardoni in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna back in the early 1990s!

[@vgamedude12]

We need rifles like this on the market.

[@hurricaneaquatics]

500 fps with a 46 caliber ball, assuming 140 grains, is still almost 78 fpe. That's no slouch at all that long ago. He said it could go to 800psi, I would say it was putting out well over 100 fpe when fully charged. Incredible coverage and it was wonderful actually seeing it fired. I'm shocked by the quality they could achieve. I believe our ancestors were a bit more developed than we gave them credit for.

[@shooter1721]

I totally agree . The accuracy was incredible. A repeater at that time was amazing.

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

The tank exploded and A family member of the inventor got his arm blown off , and died! Be real carful guys!

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

Without computers they always over engineered! Also back then the didnt have the concept of the disposable built in redundancy. Like an Ikea table not built to last, they still had real pride in quality goods.

[@AckzaTV]

Imagine the secret electromagnetic coil guns they had back in tartaria. Just kidding

[@AckzaTV]

​@@quantumenergysolutions9128lol thank God the tank never exploded on the Lewis and Clark expedition

[@mackquack2929]

Best video of this rifle yet! Great production and shooting!

[@shooter1721]

Thank you !!!

[@Dutch.1722]

Those bottles fill to 820 psi. This gun was used in the Napoleonanic wars. The enemy could never pin point where sniper fire came thru. Rich told me 600 fps at Midwest Airgun show last weekend.

[@shooter1721]

It was colder at the time of filming but in 70 weather I believe it’s in the mid 600 ‘s

[@Dutch.1722]

@@shooter1721 I asked how they were sealed. one is sealed with orings so it can be shot and the other is sealed with leather and bone. LEATHER AND BONE!!!! Seals 820 psi!!

[@messor01]

"History and use Recreation of an Austrian Girardoni system accoutrements bag, including bullet mold, air pump, spare air flasks, wrenches and ladle The Girardoni air rifle was in service with the Austrian army from 1780 to around 1815. Many references to the Girardoni air rifles mention lethal combat ranges of 125 to 150 yards and some extend that range considerably. The advantages of a high rate of fire, no smoke from propellants, and low muzzle report granted it acceptance. It did have problems and was eventually removed from service for several reasons decades after introduction. There was also a version sold to civilians after it was removed from military service. While the detachable air reservoir was capable of around 30 shots, it took nearly 1,500 strokes of a hand pump to fill those reservoirs. Later, a wagon-mounted pump was provided. The reservoirs, made from hammered sheet iron held together with rivets and sealed by brazing, proved very difficult to manufacture using the techniques of the period and were always in short supply. The weapon was very delicate, and a small break in the reservoir could make it inoperable. It was also very different from any other weapon of the time, requiring extensive training to use. The Lewis and Clark Expedition used the rifle in the demonstrations that they performed for nearly every Native American tribe they encountered on the expedition.[1][2] Some scholars have argued that the airgun carried by Merriwether Lewis was not a Girandoni, but a Lukens, made by Isaiah Lukens of Philadelphia.[3] However, Col. Thomas Rodney wrote the following on 8 September 1803: "Visited Captain Lewess [sic] barge. He shewed us his air gun which fired 22 times at one charge."[4] All Lukens's known airguns were single-shot muzzleloaders, not repeaters, making it very likely that Lewis's gun was a Girandoni, the only repeating airgun of the time. Lewis stated in his journals that he purchased the airgun, but it is not known when or where he did so.[5] Lewis fired the airgun at least 16 times to demonstrate it to various Native American tribes. On 24 January 1806, Lewis wrote "My air gun also astonishes them very much, they cannot comprehend it's shooting so often and without powder; and think that it is great medicine."[6][7]" -Wikipedia-

[@zacharymohrmann4329]

As always you did not disappoint 1 bit.. On a gun that is between 244 to 209 yrs. old that is fantastic...! Thanks for sharing this video with us, and as always I enjoy watching you shoot.. That's one hell of a gun for it's age... With iron sights non the less....

[@shooter1721]

Thank you . Incredible accuracy for that time era

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

Thats a long time overdue for a pressure vessel inspection.

[@mackattack8627]

Finally An AirGun History Episode In Great Detail With The Shooter 1721 Great Job Boy's ✌

[@shooter1721]

Thank you really appreciate it

[@UpNorthAirGunner]

Dude. The precision of that thing is insane! There are big bore airguns in 2024 that can’t shoot 50 yard groups like that untethered / unregulated!

[@shooter1721]

Right … I was blown away by its accuracy

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

Just for fun, check out the Western Airguns Sidewinder, their specs in 30 cal are 125 FPE and it is select fire!

[@CaptainGrief66]

Bartolomeo Gilardoni was a genius, another innovation in the field of fireatms at the hands of the Italians

[@bluewater454]

Finally, we get to see some new technologies on this channel. 😄Seriously, this was pretty awesome.

[@shooter1721]

Bucket list for me

[@MyxeQ]

I have always been wondering how well these things worked. Such a fascinating advanced piece of technology. 800psi from a removeable air tank made by hand in the 1800s. WOW!

[@shooter1721]

Absolutely loved making this video

[@laurahaaima1436]

Would be fun if they remade these with modern materials..

[@shooter1721]

Agreed

[@larryward1082]

It's also a very quality the the engineering is fantastic and the quality is fantastic for that time true craftsmanship

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

I've learned about these years ago, but I didn't know they were that old. I thought like late 1800's like Civil War era. But I'm sitting here thinking, I'm blown away and I'm thinking they could have won the Alamo with these! If the South had only a few thousand of these they would have won the Civil War. Something like this could have changed history if they just utilized the technology. This is like a Navy SEAL type of weapon of the day. Those quick Reloaders makes me think of my mentality. I used to use those little cardboard tubes that are for the pants on the clothes hangers, and make a fast reloader for my Nylon 66 back in the seventies. I love weapons, and I love weapons that are game changers! I can see yall have the same passion.

[@sharonrigs7999]

The air flask was the weakest link. Brazing wasn't quite there yet. But they were an amazing technological advance and one of the coolest guns ever made.

[@shooter1721]

Agreed

[@larryward1082]

Lewis and Clark expedition had one with them I've never seen one shoot till now and I've always been impressed with this particular design and the fact that Lewis and Clark expedition had one with them and used it for small game and not to disturb the native Americans with gunshots the craftsmanship is is extremely good it impresses me

[@shooter1721]

I totally agree

[@leadslinger5130]

Super cool to see the original air rifles!

[@bamoore65]

Very impressed for something from that time era.

[@bamoore65]

I see a trick shot in the making...

[@TheCsel]

years ago i read that Lewis and Clark took air guns on their expedition and it blew my mind. I dont know how these didnt take off and get more development.

[@shooter1721]

I agree

[@AlfJDale]

Gunsmith Alf Helland of Norway made a exact functioning replica of a Girardoni rifle💪

[@mrzmanm90]

What an honor to be able to be there to witness day one. Great video and short documentary on such a beautiful and important rifle. Well done guys.

[@Kevin_Ridenour]

This was fascinating! Thanks, Rick!

[@shooter1721]

You are welcome

[@Youdoneedmyname]

Years ago I was doing some remodeling at the Pentagon and in the hallway near the Secretary of Defenses offices there were cases of historic firearms and swords, etc. the rifle from the Lewis and Clark expedition was in one. Another interesting gun was Saddams 24k gold plated AK47.

[@yodhzen]

Hey thanks for showing off you two old characters! I thought for sure I'd be sifting through this video without seein' nothin'! You guys really came through and delivered the goods. We'll be alright! In one version of the Lewis and Clark Oregon Trail Expedition story, Meriwether Lewis shares this Girardoni pneumatic rifle with a chief Native or tribal representative and said, "She has medicine in her."

[@shooter1721]

Appreciate the comment!

[@TheStoney07]

i have admired this gun since i was in middle school learning about Lewis and Clark and learning that they used this air rifle. thank you for this amazing video and wow what an honor to get to see and shoot this gun and showing us an in depth review of this air rifle. thanks again for the amazing video gentleman this made my day.

[@shooter1721]

You are very welcome

[@kevinroberson1985]

I have always wanted one of those Air rifles ever sense I first seen one year's ago !

[@justinholoviak5357]

This is AMAZING. Thank you from the bottom of my curious heart. Wow! So educational and cool

[@shooter1721]

Appreciate the comment! 👊

[@212caboose]

I would LOVE to have a modern version of one of these guns- update the pump to modern PCP pump output, and bump up the PSI to 2k or something... CNC parts as much as possible to bring costs down as much as possible. Mmmm!!

[@JF-SHARK]

Wooow Rick, this video is amazing!!!…..when I started with airguns I hear about the Girardoni. French forces considered it an unchivalrous weapon because it did not generate smoke or much noise and reminds us for a weapon to be lethal it does not requiere much force. I read somewhere that is the base for the design of the airforce rifles. Thás why I love my Talon, my SS condors and my Texan. Thanks again Rick!!!

[@shooter1721]

Thank you !

[@BryanWhite77]

It absolutely amazes me the efficiency of this air rifle. The fact that my 25 caliber Benjamin Marauder at 3000 psi only gets about 24 shots in the curve and this thing can get 35+ usable shots at 800PSI with a 46 caliber round ball is incredible.

[@shooter1721]

I totally agree

[@williamwilson2624]

This video was awesome! I knew that Lewis and Clark used this rifle but never saw anyone actually shoot one. Did you guys use the hand pump or an easier method of filling?

[@shooter1721]

We used a tank 😉

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

@@shooter1721 What was the fill pressure? I missed that part.

[@congerthomas1812]

1000x better than anything in the time. Really didn't get the Acknowledgement it deserves!

[@shooter1721]

Agreed !!! Rifle was absolutely amazing for its time.

[@congerthomas1812]

@@shooter1721 first Real discrepancy in history I found.

[@Nico-Max63]

Amazing beautiful air rifle 👍👍👍👍

[@shooter1721]

The craftsmanship of this rifle was outstanding

[@iobey]

Holy shit, somebody actually make a replica of this awesome air rifle! I hope someone else can create a replica of Kalthoff Repeater, so we can prove the myths around that first military repeater.❤

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

Right!? with current carbon fiber tanks you could get at least 200 bar, regulated, and keep the smooth bore.

[@paulbork7647]

10:36 I understand they had only one of these rifles and they only demonstrated it at the first interaction with each tribe and not examined: just like a magic trick. It malfunctioned early on and was quickly repaired. The NRA channel says they were produced with three air cylinders. A very impressive, well made and elegant weapon. => When you said, “Wow factor,” I was thinking, “Shock and awe,” from a bit later in the US military history. 39:46

[@snowdogthewolf]

Man, I was just wondering about this very airgun the other day! Perfect timing and an excellent video. Edited to say, it would be grand if some reputable airgun company out there made replicas of these.

[@murphy4yt]

Amazing to,think that Lewis and Clark had one of these on their trek in 1803!

[@thebeardedairgunner]

That is amazing! The craftsmanship is outstanding! Excellent shooting and video as always brother! So cool 😎

[@Doc-Holliday1851]

the fact that this rifle didn't spawn an entire industry is mind boggling.

[@shooter1721]

Agreed!!

[@davidlund5003]

Thankyou very much.

[@mughram]

impressive , thanks for sharing

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@fieldpro5041]

one of my favorite videos so far brother

[@shooter1721]

Thank you very much

[@mattymcmattamus]

Wow. Thank you. I've heard about this gun but always wanted to know more.

[@proteus371]

thanks for showing ! I have been hoping to see one for years, it would be fantastic to make replicas

[@dougphillips8729]

This is incredible!

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@heithwatkins]

Most interesting airgun video I've seen. Thanks guys 👍

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@45035]

Outstanding shipmates. Press on. USS Kitty Hawk CV-63. Jan 1980 to July 1983. Air gunner for life.

[@LeviCloughAirRifleChronicles]

Sir the history you held in your hand and showed what it was capable of. Amazing. This is one of your best videos yet. My 7 year old son now wants to cut cards with his Notos. So ... Thanks for that 😂

[@shooter1721]

Nice !!! …. Thank you 👊

[@rogerarmendariz7633]

I never knew they were that well made.

[@markhorrell9213]

My dad inherited a working 18th century air rifle...l beleive a 36 cal. It an the other edged weapons and collectible black powder rifles,shotguns and pistols all went to Southbys. I recall the estate sale benefited us as dad used the money to wind up the farm mortgage amongst other things here in OZ back in the mid 70's

[@michaelmello9510]

Great job

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@buijs1967]

Great stuff, i want one.

[@GATORKID51]

Amazing video

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@redgum1340]

Hey there, what is the barrel length and do you have a schematic on the valve system?

[@charlesmckinley29]

There is a video of a European museum that has these and the support equipment like the large stationary pumps for them.

[@chopsddy3]

Rick, This is airgun history in the making!😀👍 (You lucky dog.) God bless ya buddy. This is great! I’ll get myself to that museum in a wheelbarrow if necessary.

[@shooter1721]

Really loved doing this video . I couldn’t believe craftsmanship in this rifle. True story the first shot I took was at a 1 inch sapling 30 yds away standing freehand hit it so dead center that the round ball was still in there. The reason it didn’t blow through is because there was so much give in the sapling it caught it . I knew the video we were about to do was going to be good

[@chopsddy3]

@@shooter1721 This may boost the industry. I, for one, would love a modern version of this system that could be made affordable. Specifically ,a more efficient pumping system . Other than that, a twenty round mag with speed loaders, a pack with pump, extra tanks and a freakin projectile mold! It’s perfect. I imagine all the gaskets to be greased leather. What an outstanding survival tool! I have to wonder if the men on the expedition had to return them when they returned home? I also have to wonder if they happily turned them in knowing that the pumping was over. 1500 pumps. Geesh!🥵 . A modern pump should fix that easily.

[@tbmpetsolutions]

awesome

[@Victor-ez7fl]

Great video 👍

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@richardsaunders7569]

The valve on that gun is better than some of my hatsans😂😂😂

[@arsenelupiniii8040]

Hahaha, Agreed! I have found that Hatsans dont like to run under 100 bar on the manometer. Tends to break the valve at the stem. I bottle feed all mine.

[@bodiemack100]

Great video.

[@shooter1721]

Thank you

[@chopsddy3]

Wait a minute! Did you say 38 shots!! Are we devolving or something? That’s amazing. Thanks so much for this. I’ve wondered about this gun since I first heard about it. That, was a long time ago.

[@GaryAshleycrashsmashley]

Meriwether Lewis is my fourth great grandfather, so I'm always interested on anything to do with the expedition

[@brentbrowning9104]

Great presentation but not everyone on the Lewis and Clark expedition had one. Historical records show that Lewis purchased ONE air gun out east before the expedition headed west. I believe the point of the demonstration of the Girandoni was to demonstrate the capabilities of the gun and make the Native American tribes THINK that every soldier had one.

[@marcegrecco53]

Amazing, they were able to make airguns over 250 years ago and great shooting Rick

[@shooter1721]

Thank you I appreciate it

[@nirfz]

Two fun facts: 1:the military history museum in vienna has an original one on display. But no sign or anything pointing out that it's an airgun or what it is at all, it's just standing there, among other military firearms of it's time. (But anyone who knows, knows when seeing it.) And 2: one would think the austrian military had it's use of air propelled ordonance saturated by using the Girardoni air rifles in service... But during WW1 on the italian front high up in the mountains where avellanches were killing more men thatn fighting did, they develloped and used "air mortars" So mortars that slung their shells by compressed air. (horizontal range 3-8 km). Firing normal artillery sometimes due to the blast triggered avellanches above and would kill the crews themselves. The air mortars did not. And it's relatively quiet in "firing" compared to normal ones. When being shot at, you will hear the whisteling of the shell, but no boom of firing it. Imagine the frightening factor of such a device. You won't hear the artillery barrage start, you will only notice when the rounds are incomming.

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

Amazing for its age! Imagine a modern version sniper with a reg, more tanks?

[@Steve-cl7hr]

Great video with lots of good info. One possible correction: All sources I have read report that there was only one air rifle on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The journals report that it was often used as a demonstration of firepower on initial meetings with tribes along the way to the Pacific. The rest of the rifles carried were Harper’s Ferry flintlocks. Again, great video.

[@keithusace4352]

Wow, awesome video Rick. Appreciate you and the crew putting it together. All the previous comments say it all, just great 👍. I've seen it presented on a history type presentation and this has it beat a hundred times over. Thank you for really doing what was lacking on that program , putting some lead down range. I guess I might have missed it but how much did this rifle weigh?

[@shooter1721]

I believe 9.5 pounds

[@robr1656]

Awesome video and rifle! I've been amazed by this rifle since reading of it years ago. The accuracy has me in awe! Thank you very much for sharing this. Are they available to purchase?!

[@samchapple6363]

Wow 😮 seen them but not fired. Amazing

[@icebluecuda1]

Thanks for posting! Awesome

[@shooter1721]

You are welcome

[@AndreaOsiander]

I am italian, this is the famous Schioppo a vento Gilardoni (= Gilardoni wind rifle) because the inventor was Bartolomeo Gilardoni (pronounced with the weak "g") from Cortina d'Ampezzo

[@georgedeedsnotwords2162]

First off great video everyone . Imagine someone bringing one of these to Rocky mountain Air gun challenge or one of the other air rifle challenges ...and winning .🤔

[@shooter1721]

That would pretty awesome

[@drywallman1986]

That was a really neat rifle. Glad I could meet the great Rick Rehm

[@shooter1721]

Thanks for hanging out with us 👊

[@zacharymohrmann4329]

Sniper shooting, Napoleon would had a lot to be worried about.. Could you imagine a few of these spread out amongst several sniper shooters in the opposition...? I don't know how you could be so modest with the targets you had chosen to shoot...!

[@guillermocastilla6305]

I'm just wondering how come companies can make that quality of gun today and at the same time? I understand if somebody did it would cost a real fortune

[@shooter1721]

20,000.00 to make this exact replica

[@jordanhorst6]

thats hitting at only around 64 ft pounds or around 83 joules, i wouldn't trust it for hunting, but it's certainly impressive for the time.

[@BravoBassin]

Awsome video i love history and this air rifle shoot better and with more accuracy then some of the new modern air rifles out there lol! Someonne really needs to make a replica of this wiht w few modern touchs as far as airing it up and man I would buy oe in a heart beat! thanks fo rthe great video they sure new how to built things back in the day that is for sure.

[@shooter1721]

I was blown away by its accuracy and repeat performance per shot. What a deadly weapon for its time.

[@BravoBassin]

@@shooter1721 Ya me too I want one lol! Mus have been a blast to get to shoot it and have this experience. What an amazing piece of history. I would have carried one of these back in the day for sure hell I would carry one now lol!

[@WalnutandSteel]

I have some amazing stuff in my collection but nothing like this!

[@shooter1721]

Thanks for watching

[@bills6093]

It's definitely good enough for small game hunting. Might even take something medium sized if you can get to 25 yards or so and have a full charge.

[@thixon2011]

I would like the blueprints to that one

[@kylenorris9585]

A replica with modern PSI and fill would be really cool

[@shooter1721]

Agreed

[@richardsaunders7569]

Rick, I know, I usually come on here And I just give you a come on man or a good job Rick. But man That is amazing that you got to hold such an awesome piece of history and make some amazing shots with it in the process. To me it kind of seems like the pcp game should have picked up right Where this left off. That is an amazing rifle Rick, And I am extremely happy for you That you got a chance to play around with it for a while.....cmon man

[@shooter1721]

It was a true bucket list for me. I am very blessed to get this opportunity. And thank you . I appreciate your comments 👊

[@richardsaunders7569]

You just keep up all your hard work. We all love watching your videos. The air gun world would be naked without you, my man.

[@AndyAndy-bg7mv]

i have an original pricthard lock of the same era

[@not-fishing4730]

Wow, how quiet the rifle is.

[@VitalArms]

Every airgun company should be racing to put out a modern, affordable girardoni. I can’t think of a single pcp owner who knows about this rifle and wouldn’t want a modern replica. If they could make a couple thousand of them hundreds of years ago you’re telling me these manufacturers can’t pump them out? Cmon!!!

[@tycook300]

Good video Rick but didn't understand the chronograph reeding being higher down range

[@shooter1721]

I didn’t reset it

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

Cristies Auction has one for sale now! guide price up to 2500!

[@FamMitrevski]

i was always wondering when they would bring that piece of history to you, is the barrel rifled?

[@shooter1721]

Yes it is

[@sat20387]

is there a way to fill it without hand pumping