Circa 1725 the forerunner of the KYlong rifles were being designed and built by German craftsman inPennsylvania. After the French and Indian War brought new lands to theattention of the frontiersmen, the uniquely American long-range rifleswere carried into the frontier (at that time Kentucky) by the longhunters, trappers and explorers. The actual name "Kentucky Longrifle"was first used in an 1812 song The Hunters of Kentucky.

A typical rifle was .50 caliber, made of curly maple, full stock andsported a 42 to 46 inch barrel. A crescent-shaped buttplate, patchboxand cheekpiece were also common and are helpful in identifying a KY/PAlong rifle.

The long rifle was a prime factor in several Revolutionary erabattles, especially in the West. Perhaps due to this heritage,Kentuckians were known as sharpshooters from the revolutionary Warthrough WWII and even as late as Vietnam.

Col George Hanger, a British officer, became very interested in theAmerican rifle after he witnessed his bugler's horse shot out fromunder him at a distance, which he measured several times himself, of"full 400 yards", and he learned all he could of the weapon. Hewrites: "I have many times asked the American backwoodsman what was the mosttheir best marksmen could do; they have constantly told me that anexpert marksman, provided he can draw good & true sight, can hit thehead of a man at 200 yards." Quotations from M.L. Brown's, FIREARMS IN COLONIAL AMERICA

More on the KY Longrifle: Kentucky Rifles - How They Earned Their Name

In the early 1800's, the percussion or caplock wasinvented and the 200 year reign of the flintlock was a thing of the past.A lot of the old flintlocks were even converted to the new lock. Bythe end of the Civil War, even the muzzleloader was being challengedby the more reliable breechloaders. Soon black powder followed thedemise of the muzzle loader and the Kentucky Long Rifle became acollector's item.