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.
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. ©
