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Steiner takes visitors through the steps of firing a muzzle-loading,
flintlock rifle similar to the ones Captain Lewis purchased at the
Harpers Ferry arsenal. Starting from the left: Measuring the powder,
pouring the powder into the muzzle, ramming the ball down, and firing.
Lewis designed an ingenious device for carrying the ammunition on
this trek. He had the lead formed into canisters of 8 pounds then
filled them with 4 pounds of powder each. As they emptied the canisters
of powder, they melted the lead and molded it into balls. Lewis also
had an air rifle which he often demonstrated for the fascinated Indians. |
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