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Favorite Caliber (poll)
- Thread starter musketman
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Tough one not knowing the criteria for "favorite caliber".
You didn't say "favorite gun" which could be an entirely different matter regardless of caliber;
You didn't say "favorite caliber if I could only keep one", which could also be an entirely different matter;
So, assuming I can keep all the calibers I have, I guess I always keep coming back to wanting to play with the .45's and sometimes the .50's...oh OK, I'll go vote .45cal...or maybe .50cal...or maybe both...no, can't vote two... uhmmmm.........OK: .45cal.....or :: ::
You didn't say "favorite gun" which could be an entirely different matter regardless of caliber;
You didn't say "favorite caliber if I could only keep one", which could also be an entirely different matter;
So, assuming I can keep all the calibers I have, I guess I always keep coming back to wanting to play with the .45's and sometimes the .50's...oh OK, I'll go vote .45cal...or maybe .50cal...or maybe both...no, can't vote two... uhmmmm.........OK: .45cal.....or :: ::
A what? You must mean a Pennsylvania longrifle.
Calling them a Kentucky rifle is like calling a Ford or a Chevy a Georgia truck 'cause you saw one once with Georgia plates. ::
I forget where I found this...
"After the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1814, the last battle of the War of 1812, a popular song was written by Samuel Woodworth to celebrate the feats of the men of Kentucky who had taken part under the command of Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson. The tune became the campaign song for Andrew Jackson's successful 1828 bid for the presidency and was popular throughout his two terms. It is generally agreed that one line in this song is the basis for the name applied to the longrifle, still used today, the Kentucky Rifle. Kentucky rifle, because it was used by Kentuckians, not that it was made or developed in Kentucky, since it never was."
Before the above song was written, there was no "Kentucky Rifle".
Now, I suppose you could call any rifle by the state it was manufactured in? The "Florida Rifle", "New Jersey Rifle", etc.
The Kentucky Rifle Song
After the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1814, the last battle of the War of 1812, a popular song was written by Samuel Woodworth to celebrate the feats of the men of Kentucky who had taken part under the command of Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson. The tune became the campaign song for Andrew Jackson's successful 1828 bid for the presidency and was popular throughout his two terms. It is generally agreed that one line in this song is the basis for the name applied to the longrifle, still used today, the Kentucky Rifle. Kentucky rifle, because it was used by Kentuckians, not that it was made or developed in Kentucky, since it never was.
The Hunters of Kentucky; or the Battle of New Orleans
YE gentlemen and ladies fair
Who grace this famous city,
Just listen, if you've time to spare,
While I rehearse a ditty;
And for the opportunity,
Conceive yourselves quite lucky,
For tis not often here you see
A hunter from Kentucky.
Oh, Kentucky,
The Hunters of Kentucky,
Oh, Kentucky,
The Hunters of Kentucky
We are a hardy, free-born race,
Each man to fear a stranger,
Whate'er the game we join in chase,
Despising toil and danger.
And if a daring foe annoys,
Whate'er his strength or forces,
We'll show them that Kentucky boys
Are alligators-horses.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
I 'spose you've read it in the prints,
How Packenham attempted
To make Old Hickory JACKSON wince,
But soon his scheme repented;
For we with rifles ready cock'd,
Thought such occasion lucky,
And soon around the general flock'd
The Hunters of Kentucky.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
You've heard I 'spose, how New-Orleans
Is famed for wealth and beauty,
There's girls of every hue, it seems,
From snowy white to sooty.
So Packenham he made his brags,
If he in fight was lucky,
He'd have their girls and cotton bags,
In spite of old Kentucky.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
But Jackson he was wide awake,
And was'nt scar'd at trifles,
For well he knew what aim we take
With our Kentucky rifles.
So he led us up to a Cyprus swamp,
The ground was low and mucky,
There stood John Bull in martial pomp,
And here was old Kentucky.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
A bank was raised to hide our breast,
Not that we thought of dying,
But that we always take a rest,
Unless the game is flying.
Behind it stood our little force,
None wished it to be greater,
For every man was half a horse,
And half an alligator.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
They did not let their patience tire,
Before they showed their faces,
We did not choose to waste our fire,
So snugly kept our places,
But when so near we saw them wink,
We thought it time to stop 'em,
And it would have done you good, I think.
To see Kentuckians drop 'em.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
They found, at last, 'twas vain to fight,
Where lead was all their booty,
And so they wisely took to flight,
And left us all the beauty.
And now if danger e'er annoys,
Remember what our trade is,
Just send for us Kentucky boys,
And we'll protect ye, ladies.
Oh, Kentucky, &c.
Thanks for the words Musketman.
I've read about this song for years.
I sometimes tell people the reason it is called a "Kentucky Rifle" was because of a song and they usually look at me like I have holes in my head. (The fact that I do is another subject).
Now, if I knew the music that goes along with it I could just start singing it to them. On the other hand, that might not be a good idea. I'd like to get them interested in muzzleloading, not drive them away. ::
I've read about this song for years.
I sometimes tell people the reason it is called a "Kentucky Rifle" was because of a song and they usually look at me like I have holes in my head. (The fact that I do is another subject).
Now, if I knew the music that goes along with it I could just start singing it to them. On the other hand, that might not be a good idea. I'd like to get them interested in muzzleloading, not drive them away. ::
Teleoceras
45 Cal.
Musketman:
I prefer the .75! Currently own five and one more nearing completion. ::
I prefer the .75! Currently own five and one more nearing completion. ::
That'd be an interesting research project. What did the original users call their rifles? Probably "rifles." A short rifle would have been a Jaeger, and all the rest were long so they wouldn't have needed a seperate descriptive. Maybe it went like it does today? The manufacturer was the label. "Hezikiah has a nice Moll." "My Rupp shoots where I point it." "Isn't that a Krupp you're carrying?" Many makers are known for single or few pieces, so it is unlikely the name recognition would have spread very far.
I would imagine "Hawken" was one of the first private labels that became somewhat famous for ANY product.
http://www.nps.gov/jeff/Gazettes/HawkenRifle.html
The above article gives a figure of 100 rifles per year out of St. Louis from the Hawken Shop, maybe 3,000 all told if things were steady. "Hawken" probably became a description for any heavy, short barreled percussion rifle (I believe one Hawken flintlock survives, but there must have been many).
I would imagine "Hawken" was one of the first private labels that became somewhat famous for ANY product.
http://www.nps.gov/jeff/Gazettes/HawkenRifle.html
The above article gives a figure of 100 rifles per year out of St. Louis from the Hawken Shop, maybe 3,000 all told if things were steady. "Hawken" probably became a description for any heavy, short barreled percussion rifle (I believe one Hawken flintlock survives, but there must have been many).
Huntinfool
45 Cal.
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That's a ticklish subject when your giving firearms history talk to a bunch of school kids deep in the heart of Kentucky.
I've done a show for upwards of 400+ school kids in two days. Coming through in groups of 20 or so. With the older kids I just called my rifle a Kentucky rifle touching on why they were called that and where most of them were made in PA.
I guess I figured the older students would still be proud. And understand that KY was still a frontier wilderness when most "Kentucky" longrifles were made.
The younger kids I didn't go into all that because I wanted to give them something to be proud of. That beautiful rifle is called a Kentucky Rifle WOW!!
But by far the biggest hit of the day was always Flint & Steel firemaking! The kids whooped and hollered every time I made fire for them!
"The Chuckster" ::
I've done a show for upwards of 400+ school kids in two days. Coming through in groups of 20 or so. With the older kids I just called my rifle a Kentucky rifle touching on why they were called that and where most of them were made in PA.
I guess I figured the older students would still be proud. And understand that KY was still a frontier wilderness when most "Kentucky" longrifles were made.
The younger kids I didn't go into all that because I wanted to give them something to be proud of. That beautiful rifle is called a Kentucky Rifle WOW!!
But by far the biggest hit of the day was always Flint & Steel firemaking! The kids whooped and hollered every time I made fire for them!
"The Chuckster" ::
When talking to strangers I have found it is best to just go with the flow.
I've found if I give a lot of information to some people they just think I'm being a smart ass. I used to correct them about "Kentucky Rifle" but almost all of them didn't appreciate it.
Now if the person asks "What kind of Kentucky Rifle is that?" I just stick to things like "its a .50 flintlock" or whatever it takes to describe it in ways they will understand. If they want to know more then I tell them. If they are really interested, I will mention the source of the "kentucky rifle" name tag and they usually thank me for the knowledge.
If they ask "What kind of Pennsylvania Rifle is that?" I know I'm talking to someone with some knowledge so I will tell them the rest of the story like what County style it is and often who's work it is patterned after.
This goes true for the stocks wood as well. Some people call it "fiddle back", some call it "tiger stripe" darn few call it curly maple. Whatever floats their boat so to speak seems to work best.
I've found if I give a lot of information to some people they just think I'm being a smart ass. I used to correct them about "Kentucky Rifle" but almost all of them didn't appreciate it.
Now if the person asks "What kind of Kentucky Rifle is that?" I just stick to things like "its a .50 flintlock" or whatever it takes to describe it in ways they will understand. If they want to know more then I tell them. If they are really interested, I will mention the source of the "kentucky rifle" name tag and they usually thank me for the knowledge.
If they ask "What kind of Pennsylvania Rifle is that?" I know I'm talking to someone with some knowledge so I will tell them the rest of the story like what County style it is and often who's work it is patterned after.
This goes true for the stocks wood as well. Some people call it "fiddle back", some call it "tiger stripe" darn few call it curly maple. Whatever floats their boat so to speak seems to work best.
Stumpkiller: You are right! I was reffering to the Pennsylvania long rifle.Today!many reffer to the same style weapon by either name.I realize that being on a forum that encourages period correctness,It was not entirely propper to use (Kentucky style rifle).Be this as it may! as was stated by others ,after 1814 the term "Kentucky" most likely would have been understood to mean any rifle designed and built to the general specs.of the famous Pennsylvaina Longrifles.By the way! the tune that the Battle of New Orleans was sung to an old fiddle tune called "The 8th of January". :redface: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
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Zonie....and gordy, the 8th of January is the same tune as Johnny Hortons "Battle of New Orleans".....you know, "In 1814 we took a little trip, along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip, we took a little bacon and we took a little beans to fight the bloody British in the town of New Orleans"....about 1960 I believe. I've been playing it on fiddle and guitar since about then....and I was just a KID (7 yrs. old) then!!!!.....OK!....ok.
Now, musketman.....it ain't fair havin' to vote for ONE favorite caliber. For all the big game I hunt and am ever likely to I voted for the 54, as did 30%. I saw the 36 got no percentage of the votes but it's my favorite small game caliber. As the Mammy in "Gone With the Wind" said, "tain't fittin', jes ain't fittin'".
Aside from all that, interesting poll. I've enjoyed it immesely.
Vic
Now, musketman.....it ain't fair havin' to vote for ONE favorite caliber. For all the big game I hunt and am ever likely to I voted for the 54, as did 30%. I saw the 36 got no percentage of the votes but it's my favorite small game caliber. As the Mammy in "Gone With the Wind" said, "tain't fittin', jes ain't fittin'".
Aside from all that, interesting poll. I've enjoyed it immesely.
Vic
Guest
musketman......how on earth do you find time to come up with these goodies? Don't get me wrong, it's a compliment!! Either you never get off your computer or you have a memory or search engine that is infallible!!!!!! I am truly impressed and grateful!!
Vic
Vic
sharps: thanks for the correction! You know how it is when You get past "39" or so,people sometimes confuse things.Gee!this is the first time for me. :bull:I play it on the tenor banjo/guitar,sometimes on mandola.Never had much success with bowing the fiddle! :redface: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
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Favorite caliber?
Definitely a .52. The trick is finding a barrelmaker that will do this. But, I've never seen a more accurate cal.
It shoots a 215gr. ball with about 75gr. 3f and humma humma!
It has the power and mass of a .54 with the speed and velocity of a .50. Like they say in Chicago, "It's a beautiful ting!"
Manynames
Definitely a .52. The trick is finding a barrelmaker that will do this. But, I've never seen a more accurate cal.
It shoots a 215gr. ball with about 75gr. 3f and humma humma!
It has the power and mass of a .54 with the speed and velocity of a .50. Like they say in Chicago, "It's a beautiful ting!"
Manynames
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