A true American firearm: the Kentucky Long Rifle

Matchlock · 23rd March 2011, 08:36 PM

Gosh, Jim,

From a well known non-firearms man I would never have expected such a profound lot of facts on the Kentucky rifle legend Davy Crockett. Must be I forgot that a great arms historian can deliver inputs like this on any topic any time!

I have been trying to look at all flintlock Kentuckies I can find in U.S. sales for years - even to me they seem to have got that certain something: long and elegant, with octagonal barrels - somehow they almost remind me of those old German matchlock muskets!

Thanks for teaching me,
and best,
Michael

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

fernando · 25th March 2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Gosh, Jim,

From a well known non-firearms man I would never have expected such a profound lot of facts on the Kentucky rifle legend Davy Crockett. Must be I forgot that a great arms historian can deliver inputs like this on any topic any time!

...

You know how Jim is, when he decides to take things up to his chest; he unlocks his cuff links and rolls up whis sleeves in a way that you can't stop him

.

.

Matchlock · 26th March 2011, 02:03 PM

Wow, that's like Jim indeed!

m

laEspadaAncha · 2nd April 2011, 09:23 PM

Hi Jim,

I owe you a much belated "thank you" for the wonderful historical reference to Pioneer legend Davy Crockett.

I have found plenty of articles on line referencing this famous firearm, but little - if any - accompanying imagery.

In fact, I could only find two photos, the first of which is of what is reported to be his first "Betsy:"

...and while it is not the rifle with which he was armed at the Alamo, if I understand it correctly, this Old Betsy is the rifle on display at the museum there:

I'm not sure how given the absence of any survivors a particular rifle could be attributed to Crockett, but either way, I have greatly enjoyed reading the collective contributions here, and am glad this topic has generated the appreciation and interest it has.

23rd March 2011, 08:36 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Gosh, Jim, From a well known non-firearms man I would never have expected such a profound lot of facts on the Kentucky rifle legend Davy Crockett. Must be I forgot that a great arms historian can deliver inputs like this on any topic any time! I have been trying to look at all flintlock Kentuckies I can find in U.S. sales for years - even to me they seem to have got that certain something: long and elegant, with octagonal barrels - somehow they almost remind me of those old German matchlock muskets! Thanks for teaching me, and best, Michael

24th March 2011, 03:30 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,283	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	#3
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

26th March 2011, 02:03 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Wow, that's like Jim indeed! m

2nd April 2011, 09:23 PM	#7
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Jim, I owe you a much belated "thank you" for the wonderful historical reference to Pioneer legend Davy Crockett. I have found plenty of articles on line referencing this famous firearm, but little - if any - accompanying imagery. In fact, I could only find two photos, the first of which is of what is reported to be his first "Betsy:" ...and while it is not the rifle with which he was armed at the Alamo, if I understand it correctly, this Old Betsy is the rifle on display at the museum there: I'm not sure how given the absence of any survivors a particular rifle could be attributed to Crockett, but either way, I have greatly enjoyed reading the collective contributions here, and am glad this topic has generated the appreciation and interest it has.