Air guns fire projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, unlike a firearm which burns a propellant. In the days of muzzle-loaders, air guns could be fired in any weather and much faster. Moreover, they were quieter, had no muzzle flash, and were completely smokeless, thus keeping the shooter’s position secret—all big advantages. […]
Treasures from Our West Lukens air rifle Air guns, which use compressed air rather than spark to launch a bullet or other projectile, have existed since the fifteenth century. They had several advantages over the other firearms of the day. Since they weren’t dependent on fire, they could be fired in wet weather and more […]
From Points West magazine Originally published in Spring 1994 The American Air Gun: From Western Wonder to Gallery Gadget to Tot’s Toy By Howard Michael Madaus Former Curator of the Cody Firearms Museum, Robert W. Woodruff Firearms Chair “Every article about as appeared to excite astonishment in their [the Shoshone’s] minds; the appearance of the men, their arms, […]