Flintlock Longrifle

Henry Young

ca. 1800–1820 · Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver · Arms and Armor

Henry Young, the maker of this longrifle, belonged to the third generation of a family that included at least five gunsmiths who were active over four generations or more. While many longrifles of the period succeed or fail as works of art based on the merits of their raised or incised carving, Henry Young’s rifles have little carving or none at all, instead being distinguished by their creatively shaped and delicately engraved brass fittings, and in particular by their eccentric, often asymmetrical patch boxes. The patch box of this rifle, an inspired Rococo fantasy, demonstrates the main characteristics of his style well. The first Henry Young, grandfather of the maker of this rifle, and his son John, were the first and second generation gunsmiths of the family. They lived and worked in Easton Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, where they may have trained, or at least inspired, other highly accomplished gunsmiths from the region, especially Herman Rupp and Jacob Kuntz.

Artist

Henry Young

Date

ca. 1800–1820

Medium

Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver

Culture

American, Pennsylvania, Easton Township, Northampton County

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Dave Hansen, 2020