Rifle, Long
Object number2014.45.7
Manufacturer
Benjamin Gill
Datec. 1830
OriginPA
MediumWood/Metal/Brass
Credit LineGift of Bayer Corporation
DescriptionDark and light brown striped wood and brass decorated long rifle. Curved brass butt plate attached to the butt stock with screws on the bottom edge of the butt stock, the back of the butt plate, and the top of the butt stock. Rectangular patch box on right side of the butt stock which does not close surrounded by brass detailing. Brass plate with detailing including engravings of powder horns attached to wrist with pins. Brass trigger guard curved to form a grip. Lock plate with detailing and an inscription. The forestock runs the length of the barrel and is attached with barrel pins surrounded with brass plates. The forestock is capped at the end with a brass plate. The ram rod is attached to the forestock with two brass loops and a brass plate. The left side of the butt stock features an crescent brass plate attached with two pins. It features detailed engravings, a raised edge, and detail lines engraved in the wood. A plate on the left side of the breach is attached witgh two screws. The forward end of the buttstock features engraving lines in the wood. The top of the barrel near the breach is engraved.Dimensions8.625 x 2 x 56.5 in. (21.9 x 5.1 x 143.5 cm)InscriptionsSmall circular plate attached to trigger guard with number "2".
Plate: "BENJAMIN GILL" "CIRCA 1830 / LANCASTER COUNTY".
Marks"B D Gill".
"JOSH GOLCHER".
Historical NotesPart of a collection of Pennsylvania-Kentucky rifles that hung in Bayer's headquarters and documented the work of gun makers from various areas of Pennsylvania. Each rifle reflects the style of its particular maker and his school. The name Kentucky rifle is a generic term for guns made in muzzle loaders, hence the term Pennsylvania-Kentucky rifles. These particular firearms show the evolution of firearms development in Pennsylvania from earlier German, English, and French styles of rifle making. The earliest ones originate in Lancaster County and then spread west through the Pennsylvania counties.
Related person
Josh Golcher
Terms
On View
On view
1835-1845