Kentucky Pistol
American Gunsmiths (various) · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1750
Also known as: Pennsylvania pistol, American flintlock pistol
Overview
The Kentucky pistol is an American flintlock pistol developed by Pennsylvania and Appalachian gunsmiths as a sidearm companion to the long Kentucky rifle. Chambered typically for a .45 caliber round ball, it featured a long rifled barrel, a graceful bird's head grip, brass furniture and an engraved lock plate. A muzzle-loading single-shot pistol, it was favored by frontiersmen, explorers and militia from roughly 1750 to 1850.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1048 g (37.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 390 mm (15.35") |
| Barrel Length | 263 mm (10.35") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 70 m (77 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 457 mm (17.99") |
| Number of Grooves | 12 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Browned |
Calibers
- .45 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as 45 cal round ball, 11.4mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Features: Birds Head Grip, Engraved Lock Plate, Fixed Sights, Brass Furniture, Muzzle Loader, Rifled Barrel
Service history
Operators
- American frontier settlers and militia
Conflicts
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Production
Production years: 1750-1850
Hand-built individually by numerous American gunsmiths; no centralized production count
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1850
Notes
Despite the name, most were produced by gunsmiths in Pennsylvania and other eastern states rather than Kentucky. Specifications reflect surviving originals and faithful Pedersoli reproductions; original examples varied widely between individual makers.
Background
Lore credits the Kentucky pistol as a favorite of frontier figures and links it to the Battle of New Orleans, where American militia sidearms helped repel the British assault in 1815.