Jezail Matchlock

Jim McDougall · 14th December 2025, 11:58 PM

I had no idea Lewis & Clark had such a gun! This is most interesting and it seems there was an article on the air gun in "Art, Arms and Armor" Ed. Robert Held, 1980, but cannot recall title and book not handy at the moment.

While these bring to mind the trusty BB guns (I'll never forget my 'Daisy') which are of course not 'weapons' per se' in the scope here, it is interesting that compressed air was indeed on occasion a means of propulsion.

The note on 'values' as far as toward antique arms is of course very relative!
With most ethnographic arms there is a notable range of values with those found in various venues. Old is not necessarily valuable if there is notable presence in offerings, and condition is a factor when collectors are seeking good representation in their groupings.
I am more historian, and well worn examples untouched are more interesting and hold various perspectives in their overall character.

These are most attractive guns, and interesting...good thing they are affordable, as I perceive aligned with my own budget!

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14th December 2025, 11:58 PM	#12
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,730	I had no idea Lewis & Clark had such a gun! This is most interesting and it seems there was an article on the air gun in "Art, Arms and Armor" Ed. Robert Held, 1980, but cannot recall title and book not handy at the moment. While these bring to mind the trusty BB guns (I'll never forget my 'Daisy') which are of course not 'weapons' per se' in the scope here, it is interesting that compressed air was indeed on occasion a means of propulsion. The note on 'values' as far as toward antique arms is of course very relative! With most ethnographic arms there is a notable range of values with those found in various venues. Old is not necessarily valuable if there is notable presence in offerings, and condition is a factor when collectors are seeking good representation in their groupings. I am more historian, and well worn examples untouched are more interesting and hold various perspectives in their overall character. These are most attractive guns, and interesting...good thing they are affordable, as I perceive aligned with my own budget!