Jacob Kuntz Longrifle
Jacob Kuntz · Rifle · Discontinued · 1810
Also known as: Kuntz Kentucky Rifle, Kuntz Pennsylvania Longrifle, Lehigh Valley Longrifle
Overview
The Jacob Kuntz Longrifle is a flintlock, muzzle-loading rifle representing the American Pennsylvania longrifle, popularly known as the Kentucky rifle. Handcrafted by Philadelphia gunsmith Jacob Kuntz around 1810-1815, it exemplifies the Golden Age of the Lehigh Valley school with its long octagonal rifled barrel, slender full-length curly maple stock, restrained rococo relief carving, and an engraved brass patchbox. Chambered for a patched .46-caliber round ball and fitted with a double-set trigger, it was prized for the accuracy and reach demanded by frontier hunting.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4451 g (157.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1505 mm (59.25") |
| Barrel Length | 1092 mm (42.99") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 792 J (584 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Barrel Material | Iron |
| Stock Material | Curly Maple |
| Finish | Browned |
Calibers
- .46 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as .46 caliber round ball, .45 caliber patched round ball, 11.7mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzleloader
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Double Set Trigger, Engraved Brass Patchbox, Rococo Relief Carving, Octagonal Barrel, Full Length Stock
Service history
Operators
- American frontier settlers and hunters
Production
Production years: c. 1807-1840
Individually handmade rifles; no serial production. Kuntz (1780-1876) worked in Allentown/Whitehall Township before moving to Philadelphia around 1810-1811.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Jacob Kuntz
Discontinued: 1830
Notes
Attributed pieces by Kuntz are held by institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Barrel and overall lengths follow the Met's cataloged example (barrel 43 in / 109.2 cm, overall 59.25 in / 150.5 cm, caliber .46 in / 11.7 mm, weight 9 lb 13 oz / 4451 g).
Background
Jacob Kuntz ranks among the most artistically accomplished and longest-lived American longrifle makers. Trained in Allentown and taxed as a gunsmith in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County by 1807, he brought the Lehigh Valley's wide-wrist, deeply carved style to Philadelphia, producing flintlock rifles and pistols that are now considered masterpieces of the Kentucky rifle's Golden Age.