Kentucky Longrifles Gallery

This gallery displays fine rifles and pistols from each of Kentucky’s nine known schools of gunmaking. Each example has been selected to illustrate key details that help define that particular school.

Please Note: All images are copyrighted by Kentucky Gunmakers and cannot be copied, reproduced, or used in any manner without the written permission of the author.

No 1. Louisville School

 

Moses Dickson, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY, ca. 1825. ©

 

No 2. Lexington School

 

Lewis Bryan, Lexington, Fayette County, KY, ca. 1813. ©

James and Samuel Gilston as “J. & S. Gilston,”
Lexington, Fayette County, KY, 1821. ©

 

No 3. Bardstown School

 

Jacob Rizer and David Weller as “Rizer & Weller,”
Bardstown, Nelson County, KY, ca. 1820. ©

Jacob Rizer and Matthias Rizer as “J. & M. Rizer,”
Bardstown, Nelson County, KY, 1837. ©

Jacob Rizer pistol, Bardstown, Nelson County, KY, ca. 1828. ©

 

No 4. Ohio River School

 

William and Richard Bell as “W. & R. Bell,”
Brookville, Bracken County, KY, ca. 1820. ©

 

No 5. Mills Rifle School

 

Benjamin Mills, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, KY,
superposed rifle/shotgun, ca. 1855. ©

 

No 6. Barrens School

 

Samuel Matthis, Russellville, Logan County, KY, ca. 1840. ©

 

No 7. Mountain Rifle School

 

Pleasant Wilson, Clay County, KY, ca.1825-1830. ©

Southeastern Kentucky “Bear” Pistol, ca.1850. ©

 

No 8. Clark County School

 

Leonard Harmon, Clark County, KY, ca.1820. ©

 

No 9. Cumberland School (Proposed)

 

William Kelsay, Wayne County, KY, ca. 1810. ©