The antecedents of the Kentucky Rifle

Considering the esthetics of the Kentucky Rifle it is interesting to contemplate its origin: Gunsmiths and artisans from Germany accustomed to crafting the short, accurate Jaeger Rifle found themselves in Eastern Pennsylvania among immigrants of British origin who idolized the graceful long and slender lines of the British Fowler. These two flintlocks evince the two esthetic paths that fused into one with the advent of the Golden Age Pennsylvania Kentucky Rifle.

 

Queen Anne Flintlock Fowler

The second in this series of European long arms from the author's collection is this long and graceful fowler in 20 gauge that Jud created especially for my late wife Laura and this post is dedicated to her memory.

The buttplate was hand hammered out of a solid 100 oz bar of silver using a hollow in a stump as a rough form. The trigger guard, sideplate and thimbles were similarly fashioned out of pure silver. The stock is a match with the Jaeger Rifle from the previous post.

Here is the inscription/dedication on the buttplate: