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Anstate Pennsylvania Kentucky Rifle
This rifle features a wedged barrel, curly maple stock, German silver mountings and furniture, and a Drepperd-marked lockplate. Fordney-style engraving and checkering indicate that the maker may have apprenticed under Fordney.
Historians are in general agreement that Lancaster cradled the
Pennsylvania gunmaking industry, and that in Lancaster County the
long rifle first evolved from its rather clumsy European progenitor
to the graceful and unique American Kentucky. While this evolution
at first took rather slow, logical steps, soon the European Yaeger
rifle and the Kentucky had little in common. In Europe, rifles were
seldom used in warfare. As in America, they were primarily the gun
of the hunter - variously known as the Yaeger, Yager, Jager, or
Jaeger. Short-barrel rifles were preferred for the forest hunting
of central Europe, where the riffeln originated.
The Swiss needed somewhat longer barrel guns for hunting the
chamois and other Alpine game, but their rifles differed little
from the thick-stocked, heavy guns of their neighbors. Travel
distances in Europe were not especially great; supplies were easily
obtained; and hunters were generally wealthy. The situation was
quite different in the New World. American riflemen, who were
generally endowed with hope and courage rather than material
wealth, often traveled long distances through locales lacking in
supplies. The great need for a more accurate, more economical rifle
prompted Pennsylvania gunmakers work long hours at their benches,
trying new principles and shaping available materials to new
forms.
In the process, the traditional Yaeger rifle went through
transformations: The broad butt-stock was made thinner with more
efficient contour; the butt progressed from straight musket-like
form to a modified crescent. Easily damaged or lost wood
patch-box covers were replaced by lids of hinged brass or silver.
Trigger guards were reduced in size, given a rather straight
under-line, and made sturdier and simpler. Forestocks were
lengthened and slenderized, brass fore-ends replacing bone or horn.
Native maple replaced European walnut, and a decorative
tiger-stripe of dark red or brown was applied where no natural curl
or striping showed in the grain. It was found that maple that grew
on thin rocky soil produced a closer and curlier grain than trees
native to open ground and heavy soil. The trees were cut into 2"
planks which were air-dried for 4 years before they were at their
best. The charcoal iron barrels were lengthened, and bores
were made smaller. A slow twist was employed for the rifling, of
which the groove depth was often less than that found on the Yaeger
rifles. A heavier powder charge was employed in relation to bore
size.
A survey of 200 barrels indicates that they ranged from 40" to
44", with a very few as long as 50". One-third had 7-groove
rifling, one quarter had 8-groove rifling, a very few had straight
rifling, and the remaining one third were smoothbores. The
fragile ivory, bone, and pearl decorative inlays of European arms
had no place in American guns. Coin silver or brass were used
sparingly for patch-boxes and inlays in the flintlock era, more
extensively in the percussion period. Slings, by which the short,
heavy European guns were usually carried, were eliminated on the
American long rifle.
In short, the Pennsylvania rifle was somewhat more accurate, used
less powder and lead, had longer range, and was of graceful contour
and handsome finish. It was for practical reasons, therefore, that
the average .65 caliber bore of European guns was eventually
reduced to an average .45 caliber bore typical in the
Pennsylvania-made guns. This was considered large enough for the
wild game or the hostile Indian. As larger game became more scarce,
bores were reduced further, or in some instances made smooth to use
shot.