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Title:	RIFLE -  AMERICAN LONG RIFLE FLINTLOCK .46
Maker/Manufacturer:	LEMAN, HENRY E.
Date of Manufacture:	C 1840
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 4376
Measurements:	OL:147.9CM 58 1/4" BL:107.3CM 42 1/4"

Object Description:

AMERICAN LONG RIFLE FLINTLOCK .46
Manufactured by Henry E. Leman, Lancaster, Pa. - American Long Rifle as manufactured by Henry Leman. Octagonal barrel with brass furniture. Patchbox in stock. Wooden ramrod. Cheekpiece left side of stock. Large slice of forearm missing from left side. Top jaw and screw missing.

Markings:
Lock: LEMAN/LANCASTER PA.
Barrel: LEMAN LANCASTER PA.

Army #642 - "Brass mountings. Plain silver plate on cheek rest. Patch box in stock, opening with spring in front of toe. Octagon barrel."

Exhibit label: "Maple stocks, octagonal barrels, and ornate decoration, not the firing system, characterize 'Kentucky rifles.' Most, in fact, were not made in Kentucky. The earliest American 'Kentucky rifles,' like these, were made in Pennsylvania and patterned after German muskets."

Notes: "Leman, Henry E. Born in Lancaster, Pa., March 8, 1812, son of H.E. Leman (or Lehmann), apprenticed to Melchior Fordney at sixteen years of age, to serve three years. From 1831 to 1834 he was employed by George W. Tryon at Philadelphia. Leman who returned to Lancaster in 1834 and established the Conestoga Rifle Works at the corner of Walnut and Cherry Alley. He received his first government contract November 7, 1837 for 1,000 rifles; this contract was renewed annually until about 1860. He was located on North Duke Street east of Walnut in 1843. He contracted with the Department of Indian Affairs, February 8, 1840, for 500 Northwest guns at $7 each. The census of 1850 indicates he had $18,000 invested in the business, employed water power and 34 employees on a total monthly payroll of $816. During the year ending June 1, 1850, he purchased 50 tons of bar iron at $4,500, 2,500 gun barrels at $500, 2,500 pounds of brass at $750, and coast at $225. He produced 5,000 gun barrels and 2,500 rifles, valued at $25,000 during this same period.
The census of 1860 gives his investment as $30,000. He employed 20 horsepower steam power and 62 hands on a total monthly payroll of $1,600. During the year ending June 1, 1860, he bought 50 tons of wrought iron at $5,000 and produced 5,000 rifles valued at $40,000. He enlarged his works about 1858, but it was destroyed by fire in 1860. He relocated on the corner of East James and Christian Streets, where he continued until 1876 or later. He died in Lancaster in 1887." - Colonel Robert E. Gardner

"The first scientific approach to arms making was done by the German settlers in Pennsylvania. They had a heritage of mechanical and gun skills to draw upon which the Puritan and Pilgrim settlers did not.
The German and Swiss settlers brought with them the finest arms of their countries. Generally these were large bore, heavy arms of general European pattern. The barrels were quite short as a rule. However, the gunmakers quickly realized the need for modifications required for American usage and changes came fast. Barrels were lengthened to provide better powder combustion and better sighting arrangements. Useless weight was removed by stock design. Full stocks of American maple and walnut were fashioned to protect the barrel in forest use. Calibers were changed in the interest of accuracy and range. By the year 1700 flourishing small gun businesses were producing gems of the art. In 1732 the noted Heinrich Brothers and Peter Leman and others were turning out the finest rifled arms available anywhere.
The early calibers averaged .54 but as time went on these were reduced for varying types for hunting so that the original balls weighing about half an ounce were greatly reduced in weight. Sights of a high order were provided on all these in various styles from bead to blade fronts and special notch rears.
But the biggest development of all was in speed of loading. The European types of the period required that the bullets be started down the barrel with a mallet, then punched down on top of the charge with a ramrod. The Pennsylvania gunmakers introduced the idea of wrapping the bullets in linen or buckskin patches which had been soaked in tallow. The system permitted easier and fasteThese early rifles are famous as 'Kentuckies,' taking the name from the fact that the vast territory between the Cumberlands and the Mississippi River was then called Kentucky; and most of the settlers and hunters who ranged that area were outfitted in Pennsylvania. Tales of the accuracy of these rifles have been grossly overdone, of course. But the fact remains that they were the greatest precision arms of their day - and far ahead of any European designs for years to come." - Smith

References:
Gardner, Robert E. SMALL ARMS MAKERS. Crown Publishers, Inc. N.Y., N.Y. 1963.
Flayderman, Norm. FLAYDERMAN'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS...AND THEIR VALUES. 7th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 1998.
Smith, Joseph E. SMALL ARMS OF THE WORLD. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1969.

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