A large variety of rifles, muskets and guns were taken on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Many of these firearms were taken for protection against possible attacks, although some were used primarily for ceremonial purposes, such as for signaling or saluting. Air guns also were used for hunting and Lewis would use his personal gun on occasion to display his skills and impress Indians. Bullets for the weapons could be manufactured along the way by the men, so they always had ample ammunition.
A large proportion of the Lewis and Clark expedition journey was made on water; therefore, it was essential to posses reliable boats. There were several custom built boats brought on the expedition, although the majority were made by the men along the way. Dugout canoes, made from large logs were the most common method of river travel for the men, providing the opportunity to leave them behind when going over land. When the men encountered another river, they could simply carve more boats. All in all, more than 20 dugout canoes were recorded on the expedition.
Most of the clothing used on the expedition was tough, long-lasting military wear. Soldiers kept their full dress uniforms in storage for the duration of the journey, although it was essential for survival that the men fashioned warm clothes from deer hide or buckskins when needed. Moccasins were worn on the feet and often needed replaced after long days of hiking. During the freezing winter months, the captains issued cold weather clothing and blankets to protect the men from the elements.
Since they didn't have satellite navigation, the Lewis and Clark expedition had to rely on skilled navigation methods to ensure they stayed on the correct path. Octants and sextants were used to make celestial observations to determine the parties' longitude and latitude. A chronometer was an essential piece of the kit and provided the men with accurate timekeeping. Compasses and telescopes also were used to determine direction and observe upcoming terrain.
A well-made camp didn't just supply some comfort for the men but provided essential shelter from the sometimes harsh elements. Candle lanterns were used to illuminate their environment at night, while fires would be lit to keep warm. The men would use the time camping to make repairs or build useful items, such as rope and sails.
