Kentucky Rifle
MakerMade by
Harmon Deming
(American, 1767 - 1840)
Date1802-1803
MediumSteel, wood, brass, silver, flint, leather
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall length): 60 1/2in. (153.7cm)
Other (barrel length): 45in. (114.3cm)
ClassificationsWeapons
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2009.166.1
DescriptionKentucky rifle, signed "H Deming" on barrel, with original barrel and curly maple stock. Full octagonal length of barrel, marked "80" (or "08") at muzzle end directly in front of an inlaid silver front sight post. The stock is the full lenght of the rifle and is tipped with a 2" brass capped that is shaped in a spiriling pattern. There are four brass thimbles securing the wooden ram rod to the stock, also in the same spiriling pattern. The rear sight is inlaid steel and is located directly above the rear most thimble. The barrel is engraved "H Deming" between the rear sight and the rear end of the barrel. The lock plate is engraved with a scrolling floral design, but otherwise unmarked. The trigger guard is brass and has a half loop facing to the rear as a resting place for the last finger, and is also engraved with a scrolling floral design. The butt plate is made of brass and has an addition to the bottom secured with a single screw. There are two screws securing the butt plate to the stock, one in the center of the butt end and one at the front of the top piece. The top portion of the plate is engraved with a floral pattern. There is decorative wood carving in front of and behind of the trigger guard as well as in front of the top and bottoms of the butt plate. There is a brass compartment, called a patchbox, located on the right side of the butt stock that is shaped along the edges in a scrolling design and has a scrolling design engraved into it. There is an inlaid silver plate behind the barrel engraved with the monogram "H D". The left side of the buttstock has a raised carved section in a scrolling design with an inlaid sivler star with six points and two rounded sections, at top and bottom. The inside of the plate is engraved with a four pointed star shape. The key plate is brass and has a very small amount of scrolling engraved at the rear end of it.
Label TextConnecticut is well-known for its role in the mass-production of firearms through the genius of 19th Century pioneers like Eli Whitney, Simeon North and Samuel Colt. But what came before the Industrial Revolution made its mark? Through the 18th century Connecticut gunsmiths like Benoni Hills of Goshen produced superb fowling long-barreled hunting guns (known as fowling pieces) that served their owners well in peace and in war. These early gunsmiths produced their weapons one at a time, mirroring the craft tradition found in furniture-, clock- and silver-making.
The Connecticut Historical Society has two Connecticut-made long guns from this earlier period, the work of Harmon Deming of Canaan (1767-1840). One of these weapons, dated ca. 1805, began life as a “rifle”; that is, a long-barreled gun with spiral grooves cut into the barrel interior. “Rifling”, as this process was known, imparted a spin on the projectile which increased both range and accuracy. This was the epitome of high tech firearms in the period and was very unusual in New England. Because of the similarity in design to so-called “Kentucky rifles” produced in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and adjacent frontier areas, the Deming piece was long misattributed by collectors and experts. Genealogical and historical research ultimately provided the key to identifying the “H. Deming” engraved on the piece and, by extension, its Connecticut origin.
Deming’s rifle, with its beautifully engraved lock and trigger assembly (firing mechanism) and cover for the patch box (a compartment in the stock that held wadding) embodies the craftsmanship of individual Connecticut gun makers of the 1700s, before the introduction of the factory system of mass-production and interchangeable parts that became so great a part of the state’s industrial legacy.
NotesAttributed to Harmon Deming, active in Canaan, Connecticut, ca. 1806. Stock is full length with exeption of 2" visible forestock and re-glued break at wrist. Nosecap and silver thumbpiece restored. Flintlock is a replacement but is of the period and appropriate to this gun. The engraved "80" is as seen when the firer of the rifle was holding it, however it could have been intended as "08" depending on how you look at the rifle.The Connecticut Historical Society has two Connecticut-made long guns from this earlier period, the work of Harmon Deming of Canaan (1767-1840). One of these weapons, dated ca. 1805, began life as a “rifle”; that is, a long-barreled gun with spiral grooves cut into the barrel interior. “Rifling”, as this process was known, imparted a spin on the projectile which increased both range and accuracy. This was the epitome of high tech firearms in the period and was very unusual in New England. Because of the similarity in design to so-called “Kentucky rifles” produced in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and adjacent frontier areas, the Deming piece was long misattributed by collectors and experts. Genealogical and historical research ultimately provided the key to identifying the “H. Deming” engraved on the piece and, by extension, its Connecticut origin.
Deming’s rifle, with its beautifully engraved lock and trigger assembly (firing mechanism) and cover for the patch box (a compartment in the stock that held wadding) embodies the craftsmanship of individual Connecticut gun makers of the 1700s, before the introduction of the factory system of mass-production and interchangeable parts that became so great a part of the state’s industrial legacy.
Status
On view
