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Kentucky Long Rifle

Kentucky Long Rifle

Posted: 9 Jan 2002 4:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 17 Apr 2003 8:30PM GMT
Surnames: Baker
I would like to know who made or invented the Kentucky Long Rifle? The history of it, pictures and/or. links so I can learn more about it.

I have been told it was a Baker??

Thank you in advance for your time.

Paula

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Michael Wallin (View posts)
Posted: 22 Jul 2002 6:42AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 25 Oct 2002 6:07PM GMT
Surnames: Dickert, Beck, Haines, Baker
The "Kentucky longrifle" came into being out of need rather than invention. Proir to 1730/1740 most of the rifles used were the German Jeager, a shortbarreled, heavy flintlock which shot a large projectile and used a large amount of powder. Not very practical for a backwoodsman blazing the new frontier (Kentucky). The gun makers of that time (Dickert, Beck, Haines) just to name a few, responded by making a rifle that had a longer barrel, weighed less, shot a smaller projectile and used less powder and of course a curly maple stock.

These gunmakers all lived in Pennsylvania and most in Lancaster County. This is how the Pennsylvania longrifle became the Kentucky longrifle, it was used very successfully in opening what is now known as Kentucky.

Most of the militia men of that time period used a Pennsylvania/Kentucky longrifle and in the hands of a backwoodsman were deadly accurate out to two hundred yards on a man sized target.

Can't say one way or another on Baker.

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Posted: 21 Aug 2002 11:57AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 7 Feb 2003 9:11AM GMT
Surnames: Long
Do you have information about gunsmiths other than those you mentioned?

My family oral history is that the Long's of present-day Snyder County, Pennsylvania, made the Long Rifles (thus the name Long Rifle).

Joseph Long is listed in the 1850 Census as a Gunsmith.

Any information would be appreciated.

Joyce Wagner Havens

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Michael Wallin (View posts)
Posted: 21 Aug 2002 12:57PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am sorry, I have no information as to that gun builder. You may want to contact The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (nmlra.org). They may be able to point you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Posted: 14 May 2004 11:40PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 3 Oct 2005 9:52PM GMT
hi just stumbled onto this board . I've been told that Baker did invente Kentucky Long Rifle. I am looking for information on Avery Baker born 1827 in Pennsylvania. But interesting enough am also looking for info on Nancy Long Baker born 1830 in Ohio . if anyone has ionfo on these people please get in touch. Thanks for just looking
Elaine

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Posted: 27 Feb 2013 8:08PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am a Baker descended of those who went to Kentucky, Knoxville, county. I too have read and heard that it was one of my Baker's that invented the Kentucky Long Rifle. The Kentucky Baker family, the Boone family and the Lincoln family were close as far as the things I have read about them.

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Posted: 26 Mar 2013 5:19AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Baker
I too am a direct desendant of the Baker Family and have a fair amount of information collected through the assistance of relatives along with my own research.
My grandfather - Thomas Baker
His father - Issac "Ike" Baker
" - Andrew Baker
" - John Hammond Baker
" - Robert Baker
" - John "Renta" Baker
" - Andrew "Esquire" Baker and his father Robert Thomas Baker Sr. - lived in Lancaster Co. PA. prior to Andrew relocating to Virgina - They lived in a community of gun smiths (they also being gun smiths)developed a device for rifling the gun barrel. This process made the rifle what it is today and was utilized in the "Kentucky" Long Rifle. Since John "Renta" Baker family was some of the first families to settle the Kentucky / North Carolina area, it (COULD BE)? that they introduced this to the area. John "Renta" Baker - born Wilkes Co. NC 1735 Died Owsley Co. Ky 1820

Re: Kentucky Long Rifle

Posted: 26 Mar 2013 6:05AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you very much for the information. It kind of looks like that the Baker's could have had a lot to do with the making of the Kentucky Long Rifle. I would say that is a vital piece to the operation of the rifle.
It appears that we are on the same direct line of our Baker family.
One of the Baker's moved to Arkansas from Knox Co. Kentucky John Franklin Baker and I am a direct descendant of his.
Thank you sounds like we are cousins.
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