Holding a Kentucky Long rifle conjures up a vision of Daniel Boone traversing the Eastern Kentucky wilderness through the Cumberland Gap, his rifle in hand and a couple squirrels in his bag. The Kentucky Long Rifle was a work of art but was cherished more for its accuracy. It had a rifled barrel that considerably improved range and accuracy, allowing hunters to harvest game more easily and helping settle the Kentucky frontier.
There are only a few remaining rifle makers that build these beautiful rifles. I wanted to learn more about the Kentucky long rifle, so I contacted Mike Miller. Mike is a Tri-County Electric Co-Op member and lives the life of the Kentucky long rifle era. Living in a 1800s era square log cabin with plenty of land to roam Mike has immersed himself in the frontier life.
Mike greeted me at the door of his little rifle making shop with his beagle named Crocket. This set the tone for our interview. Mike insists that Kentucky deserves more credit for creating the Kentucky long rifle and not just that Daniel Boone carried one. He said that among the men that cleared a trail through the Cumberland Gap, several were gunsmiths. This included Daniel Boone’s younger brother Squire Boone who eventually set up shop at what is now the Falls of the Ohio. These gunsmiths had their own style and practices.
The Kentucky long rifle is known for its intricate carvings in the stocks and engravings in the metal works that grace the rifle. “I wasn’t a natural engraver or carver in the beginning and was told so by more than one of my teachers,” Mike said. “I eventually, through patient and diligent lessons from others, picked it up.” Mike does all the engraving and carving on the rifles he makes and owes much to those that helped him along the way.
Mike teaches a rifle making class at Western Kentucky University. It’s 9 days long and covers all facets of building a Kentucky long rifle. He also teaches occasionally at his shop and doesn’t charge. “It’s my way of paying forward all of the lessons from master rifle makers that never charged me a dime.” Mike told me with a smile. He also told me that his favorite rifle is the plain rifle with little to no intricate lines, carvings, or ornamentation. “These rifles are harder to get right than the more elaborate ones. You can hide some mistakes with carvings in the stock but with the plain rifle all of the lines and fitment have to be spot on or it’s very noticeable.” Mike says it takes about a week to build a plain Kentucky long rifle.
I encourage you to walk the trail of history that the Kentucky long rifle takes you down. Take Mike’s class and build your own. It’s a great way to learn more about the history of Kentucky.
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