Kentucky Rifles From Virginia

posted on January 5, 2015
aff-kentuckyriflevirginia-1500x844.jpg
Michael Ives

Through April 15, 2015, the NRA National Firearms Museum is hosting an exceptional exhibition of 20 fine flintlock and percussion rifles from the Kentucky Rifle Foundation. Among the Shenandoah Valley treasures represented are two c. 1800 flintlock rifles made by Christian Hoffman of Woodstock, Va., and Simon Lauck of Winchester, Va. (brass repair at wrist). Each of these .50-caliber long rifles features elaborately worked patch boxes, and on the cheek side of the carved stocks reside near-identical eight-pointed stars.

Christian Hoffman moved to Lancaster, Pa., in 1807, and Simon Lauck moved to Winchester in 1794 from Lebanon, Pa., so both gunsmiths would represent the Old Dominion of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in their firearm craftsmanship. It wasn’t until after the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 that a song was written that first named the long arms carried by volunteer militiamen as Kentucky rifles.

The National Firearms Museum at nra Headquarters in Fairfax, Va., the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo., and the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at the NRA Whittington Center each have fine selections of historic arms on display. Admission to each is free, with donations gratefully accepted. For more information, visit www.nramuseums.com, phone (703) 267-1600 or email [email protected].

Latest

Ogvp
Ogvp

White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Goes Dark

The Biden administration’s White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention is no more—at least that is what it looks like.

Europe is Waking Up to Its Need for Armed Citizens

More citizens of various European countries are now training with firearms and, in some notable cases, they are doing so with the encouragement of their respective governments.

President Trump Targets Violent Criminals Instead of Gun Owners

Instead of pretending the rights of law-abiding American citizens are the cause of violent-crime rates, as the Biden administration did, the Trump administration is going after actual bad guys.

Freedom is Alive at the NRA Great American Outdoor Show

This celebration of American freedom is a destination event for the whole family.

Shooting Straight with Captain Phillip Beall

When a high-achieving person realizes his own industry is desperately in need of reform, he will resolutely keep pushing for sensible changes. Such is the story of Captain Phillip Beall.

A New Sheriff Is In Town

The downfall of so many prominent anti-gun progressives was a long-overdue day of reckoning. The American electorate has made a national course correction.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.