Rifle, Long
Object number2014.45.6
Manufacturer
William Border
Datec. 1825
OriginPA
MediumWood; Iron; Brass
Credit LineGift of Bayer Corporation
DescriptionDark brown wood and brass decorated long rifle. Curved brass butt plate attached to the butt stock with pins. Rectangular patch box on right side of the butt stock surrounded by brass detailing. Circular brass plate attached to wrist with pins. Brass trigger guard curved to form a grip. Lock plate with detailing. The forestock runs the length of the barrel and is attached with barrel pins. 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 oval 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.DimensionsHeight x Length x Depth: 10 × 54.375 × 2.25 in. (25.4 × 138.1 × 5.7 cm)InscriptionsPlate: "WILLIAM BORDER" "CIRCA 1825 / BEDFORD COUNTY".
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.
Terms
On View
On view
1835-1845