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This Rifle Won the Frontier in the 18th Century

When looking at the history of weapons, it becomes clear how few inventions have had the same impact on the development of guns as the Kentucky Long Rifle.

Although there is no one person with absolute credit for the development of rifling, its first known use was in the 1730’s by Swiss and German craftsmen in Pennsylvania. It became famous through use by frontiersmen, most notably Daniel Boone, and its widespread popularity in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and of course, Kentucky.

The original development of the Long Rifle came through practical need. The musket, or Brown Bessie, in common use at the time used more lead and gunpowder than seemed necessary because of what was required to power a bullet effectively for hunting or combat. The rifling introduced by the Kentucky Rifle allowed a smaller bullet propelled by less gunpowder to achieve a longer range and improved accuracy.

The Kentucky Long Rifle made rather notable improvements over the smooth boore musket, most notably the effective range at which it could be used. The typical range can vary based on the quality of craftsmanship and skill of the shooter, but is generally regarded to be about 100 yards, or up to 200-300 in the hands of an accomplished shooter with above average practice and experience.

The gun was able to be made with a shorter barrel, as the accuracy allowed for less distance between the front and rear sights, and the improved efficiency meant it no longer needed the extra length to build up more pressure. The smaller length and therefore lighter weight made the weapon easier to carry and far more comfortable for explorers and frontiersmen who relied on carrying a weapon but also needed other gear.

Unfortunately, the Long Rifle had the disadvantage of taking longer to load, as the bullet was a tighter fit to the barrel, and the powder had to be more accurately measured to perform properly. Likewise, the gun had to be kept clean to assure proper function, as the residue buildup from shooting could foul the rifling and impede the progression of the bullet. To some extent, the invention of the Minie Ball in the middle of the 1800’s helped to keep the barrel cleaner and more effective. The conical bullet also helped further improve the range and accuracy of the rifle over the clumsier round ball.

Clearly, rifling is considered essential to the manufacture of modern weapons. Today’s manufacturing techniques are far more precise and efficient than in the days of the Kentucky Long Rifle, but had it not been for the inventiveness of the craftsmen in early America the gun as known today would not exist. The Kentucky Rifle was one of the early definitions of how the United States would later become the world leader in technology and creative problem solving.

~ Firearm Daily


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