David

Your original tag line asked the question "But Why?" I would assume that you are asking why such a rifle, that was so dificult to produce, be made and taken on the Lewis and Clark expedition.

According to most historians of that period this rifle was meant to be used to suppliment the game food supply for the expedition without using the limited and more useful and valueable supply of gunpowder. Lewis and Clark used this rifle in demonstrations to the Indians that they met along the way. It impressed the indians because it did not use gunpowder and was silent. They thought it was a "Magic Gun". It served that purpose more effectively than that of a game gun.