Thank goodness we have someone of the caliber and passion of Dr. Mel Stewart Hankla. I started this video and simply could not break away; I had to finish it! Dr. Hankla weaves the story of the American spirit's restless move West into the tapestry he so well describes it as. Looking at these wonderful rifles, it is impossible not to be struck by the incredible craftsmanship, artistry and skill of the early American gun maker. The multiple levels of master craftsmanship required to make such an elegant, yet totally functional, utilitarian object boggles the modern mind! The gun maker was skilled in fine woodworking, carving, iron work, brass work, and in complex mechanics. On top of that, the gun maker had to make a rifle that was accurate, sturdy, and reliable, all of which required a mastering of principles of ballistics and mechanics,while including the fine artistry of form-fitting-function. Wonderful video that really stirs the emotion and pride!
Wonderful. He has voiced the same thing I have been thinking about the time line of the American Longrifle. This video is truly a gem. Now I gotta buy the book.
Thanks sir,My great great grandpa is John Adair, on my material side, we ended up in the very bottom county of the New state of WVA 1863, my grandpa’s grandpa, and two uncles are buried in a cemetery in McDowell county , Bartley Hollow, reason I understand, is He rode w Major Witcher’s Night Hawks, company C of 34 th Battalion, 34 VA . A mix of men from Ky, TN, NC and VA, fought under General Humphrey Mashal, route 52 running through the county is called Marshal Highway. The commander is Prominently mentioned in Guerrantt’s Diary, published as A Blue Grass Cavalier. Anyway there father has a more lustrous career he was a governor of the commonwealth of Kentucky. I like the way you protect the name for the rifle. I grew up partially of my life in Botetourt County an owl living Roanoke County but I can look out my window and see the mountain of tinker within a mile of where I am presently, I went to school every day passing the Finn Castle courthouse, and there’s not a day I don’t cross ethier the old Wilderness rd, or the old Carolina rd, or both, I live about 30 miles north of Walker Mountain, and 100 roughly from pound gap, my mother’s mother, is from Louisa county on the big Sandy River, my mom, as a result of all this, “ Civil “ war, see them boys stuck together, and when one could not return to Ky, none did, 3 brothers, survived that, and made their lives there, Coal boom, and lumber and farming bee’s. The law was signed by Genl U S Grant, it’s a fact. Anyway my mom was a Coal miner’s daughter, just like the Gayles, who gave us Loretta, and Crystal, and a little bit like Dolly, although Dolly, didn’t see her Daddy all black as the dark mine. I suppose if Ky would have, went earlier w the Confederacy’, perhaps I’d been raised in the Blue Grass, lol, on My paternal side descendent of George Rogers Clark, so you see. Anyway it does me good to hear A beautiful presentation like this. I’ve subscribed please keep up the good work. Lotta folks don’t know about this knowledge.
Watching this, I had to laugh a little bit. I have a Jim Kibler Colonial American Longrifle 54-caliber. But I could call it an (Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Colonial American Longrifle) The kit came from Ohio, assembled and finished in Virginia by a man from Missouri (ironically of German descent) as were the original Pennsylvania gun makers, I just wish I had the same skills as those artists of the Longrifle. Some of the original rifles were fantastic works of art, beauty, and function. I have to add that when I was growing up in southwest Missouri that the levergun was king. Winchester 1st and then Marlin. I'm almost 61 now so that has been a few years ago. Hahaha
My Gr Gr Grandfather, born in NC in 1796, and moved with his Bride to our part of Georgia in 1820. I've often wondered what weapons "Shootin Arns" they carried to Georgia. Alas, they have been Lost To The Whims Of Time And Distance, so I'll likely Never Know, but I hope he had a Kentucky Rifle among his plunderments.
Interesting presentation, except for the bit about barrel length because of loading while on horseback. 🤣 Barrel length was because of the burn rate of black powder.
True. But as the frontier moved Westward, new gunsmiths evolved the rifle into the "Virginia Rifle" the "Tennessee Rifle" and eventually into the Hawken Rifle. However, no question rifle did begin as the Pennsylvania Rifle, built by extremely skilled German gun makers.
@@63DW89A yeah I made the comment before I watched the hole video I'm glad he want over the history if I would of known he was going to I never would of commented on it guess it pays to watch then comment or not but I always tell people who argue with me saying it's a Kentucky rifle and I try to tell them its actually a Pennsylvania rifle
Ok ,is he ten feet tall and have lighting bolts shoot from his but , just get on with the story .....ok I'm sorry , ..not for me . I would have liked to know the history /story , of the Kentucky long rifle . More than I already know , but you / this is a tade bit to long winded .
Mel Hankla is an icon of historic study, thank you for sharing this with us!!
How does one buy his book
@@Peter-od7op Yeah! Good Question. After this, I gotta have a copy. Thanks
Thank goodness we have someone of the caliber and passion of Dr. Mel Stewart Hankla. I started this video and simply could not break away; I had to finish it! Dr. Hankla weaves the story of the American spirit's restless move West into the tapestry he so well describes it as. Looking at these wonderful rifles, it is impossible not to be struck by the incredible craftsmanship, artistry and skill of the early American gun maker. The multiple levels of master craftsmanship required to make such an elegant, yet totally functional, utilitarian object boggles the modern mind! The gun maker was skilled in fine woodworking, carving, iron work, brass work, and in complex mechanics. On top of that, the gun maker had to make a rifle that was accurate, sturdy, and reliable, all of which required a mastering of principles of ballistics and mechanics,while including the fine artistry of form-fitting-function. Wonderful video that really stirs the emotion and pride!
Wonderful. He has voiced the same thing I have been thinking about the time line of the American Longrifle. This video is truly a gem. Now I gotta buy the book.
Thanks sir,My great great grandpa is John Adair, on my material side, we ended up in the very bottom county of the New state of WVA 1863, my grandpa’s grandpa, and two uncles are buried in a cemetery in McDowell county , Bartley Hollow, reason I understand, is He rode w Major Witcher’s Night Hawks, company C of 34 th Battalion, 34 VA . A mix of men from Ky, TN, NC and VA, fought under General Humphrey Mashal, route 52 running through the county is called Marshal Highway. The commander is Prominently mentioned in Guerrantt’s Diary, published as A Blue Grass Cavalier. Anyway there father has a more lustrous career he was a governor of the commonwealth of Kentucky. I like the way you protect the name for the rifle. I grew up partially of my life in Botetourt County an owl living Roanoke County but I can look out my window and see the mountain of tinker within a mile of where I am presently, I went to school every day passing the Finn Castle courthouse, and there’s not a day I don’t cross ethier the old Wilderness rd, or the old Carolina rd, or both, I live about 30 miles north of Walker Mountain, and 100 roughly from pound gap, my mother’s mother, is from Louisa county on the big Sandy River, my mom, as a result of all this, “ Civil “ war, see them boys stuck together, and when one could not return to Ky, none did, 3 brothers, survived that, and made their lives there, Coal boom, and lumber and farming bee’s. The law was signed by Genl U S Grant, it’s a fact. Anyway my mom was a Coal miner’s daughter, just like the Gayles, who gave us Loretta, and Crystal, and a little bit like Dolly, although Dolly, didn’t see her Daddy all black as the dark mine. I suppose if Ky would have, went earlier w the Confederacy’, perhaps I’d been raised in the Blue Grass, lol, on My paternal side descendent of George Rogers Clark, so you see. Anyway it does me good to hear A beautiful presentation like this. I’ve subscribed please keep up the good work. Lotta folks don’t know about this knowledge.
Thanks!! What great intell on Barrel length and mounted men!
This was truly enjoyable the wealth of knowledge was a history gold mine. Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh and the book yes I will be buying it.
Watching this, I had to laugh a little bit.
I have a Jim Kibler Colonial American Longrifle 54-caliber.
But I could call it an (Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Colonial American Longrifle)
The kit came from Ohio, assembled and finished in Virginia by a man from Missouri (ironically of German descent) as were the original Pennsylvania gun makers, I just wish I had the same skills as those artists of the Longrifle.
Some of the original rifles were fantastic works of art, beauty, and function.
I have to add that when I was growing up in southwest Missouri that the levergun was king.
Winchester 1st and then Marlin.
I'm almost 61 now so that has been a few years ago. Hahaha
I was absolutely riveted. I think my next gun purchase will have to be a long rifle
I really enjoyed this video. I started watching it thinking there was no way I would make it through the whole thing, but it was very interesting.
The great Kentucky rifles developed and first built in Pennsylvania.
You're absolutely correct.
Outstanding! Thanks for posting.
Thank you 😎👍👍
Simon, Benjamin, and Felix Settle of Barren county Ky.
My Gr Gr Grandfather, born in NC in 1796, and moved with his Bride to our part of Georgia in 1820.
I've often wondered what weapons "Shootin Arns" they carried to Georgia.
Alas, they have been Lost To The Whims Of Time And Distance, so I'll likely Never Know, but I hope he had a Kentucky Rifle among his plunderments.
Nicely given impact statement. Eaglegards...
Love this.
Airborne55 here. Thank you!
Super informative video! One question though; anyone going to mention the presence of Alligators in a song about Kentucky?
I have to thank Fess Parker for my long rifle addiction.
Speech starts around 3:30
Real speech starts around 6:30
Great Video, where can I purchase the book?
very nice but as a direct ancestor of the Welshans who were a family of Rifle makers came here in 1742 from Alsace
Interesting presentation, except for the bit about barrel length because of loading while on horseback. 🤣 Barrel length was because of the burn rate of black powder.
22:30 haha chambers flintlock go brrr
The Kentucky long rifle is actually the Pennsylvania long rifle thats where it was made first
True. But as the frontier moved Westward, new gunsmiths evolved the rifle into the "Virginia Rifle" the "Tennessee Rifle" and eventually into the Hawken Rifle. However, no question rifle did begin as the Pennsylvania Rifle, built by extremely skilled German gun makers.
@@63DW89A yeah I made the comment before I watched the hole video I'm glad he want over the history if I would of known he was going to I never would of commented on it guess it pays to watch then comment or not but I always tell people who argue with me saying it's a Kentucky rifle and I try to tell them its actually a Pennsylvania rifle
You cant just take any charcoal and use it for blackpowder. Well, you can but it wont be any good.
You lost me at Kentucky longrifle, They are Pennsylvania longrifles.
made by mostly german gunsmiths
Ok ,is he ten feet tall and have lighting bolts shoot from his but , just get on with the story .....ok I'm sorry , ..not for me . I would have liked to know the history /story , of the Kentucky long rifle . More than I already know , but you / this is a tade bit to long winded .