As part of our collection, the BHHA has a circa 1830 Kentucky Long Rifle build by John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Maryland. The long rifle or Kentucky rifle was first developed on the American frontier in southeastern Pennsylvania during the early 18th century. It eventually passed out of fashion in the 19th century. Kentucky rifles were used during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. John Armstrong’s rifles are considered among the finest of the Kentucky Rifle’s Golden Age, which was from 1790 to 1820. Following the American Revolution, the nation was glutted with gunsmiths, but short of gun buyers. To stay in business, a gunsmith had to create superior rifles to attract customers. Mr. John Kindig, Jr., one of the leading experts on Kentucky Rifles, stated the following about Armstrong: “John Armstrong’s workmanship is magnificent and his designs are just perfection. I cannot emphasize the beauty of his rifles.”
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