I respectfully disagree. This was fifty years after the revolution, while a man may have dads or grands rifle the population more then tripled
Most men that were of fighting age that owned a rifle would have had a rifle built in the last decade or two. There just wasn’t enough old rifles to supply new shooters. A colonial/revolutionary rifle would have been rare, not because they were unserviceable but just lack of numbers
I tend to disagree. While it’s true that the population grew significantly after the Revolution (which was actually only
37 years prior), there’s substantial evidence to suggest that older rifles were still in circulation and frequently used well into the early 19th century.
First, many families during this period passed down firearms as valuable heirlooms. Rifles, especially those of higher quality, were expensive and durable tools, often representing a significant investment. The cost of purchasing a newly built rifle in the early 19th century—ranging from $10 to $20—was prohibitive for many people, particularly in rural communities. As a result, older rifles were often maintained, repaired, and handed down through generations. Considering the average lifespan of a man during that era was 35-40 years, it only stands to reason that the child of a man who served during the American Revolutionary War could have inherited it and used it during the period in question.
Second, contemporary accounts and militia records from the War of 1812 confirm the presence of older-style rifles in use. For example, rifles with characteristics typical of the colonial period, such as heavy barrels and patchboxes, were noted in inventories and descriptions of civilian volunteers’ weaponry. This supports the idea that colonial/revolutionary rifles were still practical and relied upon even decades after their original construction.
Finally, rifle production in America during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, while growing, was still limited compared to the demand. Gunsmiths primarily worked on a small, local scale, and mass production didn’t become widespread until later. This scarcity meant that new rifles couldn’t always meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, further encouraging the continued use of older firearms.
In short, while new rifles were certainly being made, older colonial and Revolutionary-era rifles were far from rare, especially in regions where access to new production was limited or financial constraints made acquiring a new rifle impractical.
I’ll leave you with this:
Do you truly want to carry the same firearm as every other bloke in your unit, simply to conform to an established mold? While standardization has its place in military formations or historical reenactments, there’s something undeniably compelling about stepping outside that box. With a bit of creativity and an imaginative backstory, you can craft a truly unique arm that not only stands out but also adds depth and character to your impression.
I guarantee you that firearms like Kibler’s Colonial were carried by militia members during the War of 1812 and the Creek War. You shouldn’t have to go far to find documentation (either written or illustrative) of this.
Not to mention that Cabin Creek is in York Co.!
