A true American firearm: the Kentucky Long Rifle

Jim McDougall · 24th March 2011, 03:30 AM

Thank you so much for the kind words Michael, and though I am decidely a non firearms guy, for me its about learning and this material is from spending some time researching. As always great fun to learn, and Davy Crockett was always a hero from my youngest days......watched intently the Walt Disney series on TV with Fess Parker. Taking myth and finding fact is one of the greatest adventures and we find that the truth often is even more rewarding.

Since the German craftsmen were the progenitors of this distinctly American gun, it really does reflect our deep German ancestry which did indeed extend to those early guns. I believe if not mistaken, the first rifled barrels were on matchlocks in the 16th century.

All the very best,
Jim

Matchlock · 24th March 2011, 03:10 PM

Abloutely correct as always, Jim,

The fist rifled matchlock arquebus seems to have been manufactured in about 1500 and belonged to the Emperor Maximilian I. It once was in the Renwick (+1972) collection, and then got laid down in the Smithsonian, from where the rest of the Renwick guns were sold in the 80's or 90's. Its present whereabouts are unknown.

Best,
Michael

Jim McDougall · 25th March 2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Abloutely correct as always, Jim,

The fist rifled matchlock arquebus seems to have been manufactured in about 1500 and belonged to the Emperor Maximilian I. It once was in the Renwick (+1972) collection, and then got laid down in the Smithsonian, from where the rest of the Renwick guns were sold in the 80's or 90's. Its present whereabouts are unknown.

Best,
Michael

Thanks very much Michael! I love learning this stuff, and you're a great professor

All the best,
Jim

24th March 2011, 03:30 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Thank you so much for the kind words Michael, and though I am decidely a non firearms guy, for me its about learning and this material is from spending some time researching. As always great fun to learn, and Davy Crockett was always a hero from my youngest days......watched intently the Walt Disney series on TV with Fess Parker. Taking myth and finding fact is one of the greatest adventures and we find that the truth often is even more rewarding. Since the German craftsmen were the progenitors of this distinctly American gun, it really does reflect our deep German ancestry which did indeed extend to those early guns. I believe if not mistaken, the first rifled barrels were on matchlocks in the 16th century. All the very best, Jim

24th March 2011, 03:10 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Abloutely correct as always, Jim, The fist rifled matchlock arquebus seems to have been manufactured in about 1500 and belonged to the Emperor Maximilian I. It once was in the Renwick (+1972) collection, and then got laid down in the Smithsonian, from where the rest of the Renwick guns were sold in the 80's or 90's. Its present whereabouts are unknown. Best, Michael