John Armstrong Longrifle
John Armstrong · Rifle · Discontinued · 1793
Also known as: Armstrong Rifle, Emmitsburg School Longrifle, John Armstrong Kentucky Rifle
Overview
The John Armstrong Longrifle is a flintlock muzzleloading rifle handcrafted by master gunsmith John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Maryland, one of the foremost artisans of the American longrifle's Golden Age. Firing a patched .45 caliber round ball, it is distinguished by its long, slender curly maple stock, ornate silver and brass inlays, relief carving, and a large decorated patch box. Armstrong forged his own barrels and hand-built his own locks to a standard far above the mass-produced hardware of the era, and mounted a double set trigger for precise offhand shooting.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1473 mm (57.99") |
| Barrel Length | 1067 mm (42.01") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Muzzle Velocity | 427 m/s (1401 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 793 J (585 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 137 m (150 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 2 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 7 |
| Barrel Material | Iron |
| Stock Material | Maple |
| Finish | Browned |
Calibers
- .45 Caliber Muzzleloader · primary — also known as 45 cal patched round ball, 11.4mm muzzleloader
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Long Barrel, Octagonal Barrel, Patch Box, Double Set Trigger, Iron Sights, Silver Inlays, Relief Carving, Brass Furniture
Service history
Operators
- American frontier riflemen
Production
Estimated total produced: 400 · Production years: 1793-1841
Approximate lifetime output of a single master gunsmith; fewer than 30 examples are known to survive today.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: John Armstrong
Discontinued: 1841
Notes
Fewer than about 30 authenticated Armstrong rifles are known to survive; surviving examples command auction prices from roughly $30,000 to $125,000. Armstrong is believed to have made only around 400 rifles over his career, each taking weeks to complete.
Background
John Armstrong (1772-1841) learned his trade from gunsmith George Schroyer of Hanover, Pennsylvania, before settling in Emmitsburg, Maryland around 1793. Renowned for beautiful curly maple stocks, artistic relief carving, and fine inlays, he is regarded as one of the greatest artisans of the American longrifle, and his rifles are prized centerpieces of Kentucky rifle collections.