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Flintlock Longrifle

Gunsmith Henry Young American
ca. 1800–1820
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 372
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Flintlock Longrifle
  • Gunsmith: Henry Young (American, Easton, Pennsylvania, ca. 1775–ca. 1833 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
  • Date: ca. 1800–1820
  • Geography: Pennsylvania
  • Culture: American, Pennsylvania, Easton Township, Northampton County
  • Medium: Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver
  • Dimensions: L. 61 in. (154.9 cm); L. of barrel 45 7/8 in. (116.5 cm); Cal. .49 in. (12.4 mm)
  • Classification: Firearms-Guns-Flintlock
  • Credit Line: Gift of Dave Hansen, 2020
  • Object Number: 2020.72
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Pair of Flintlock Pistols, Henry Young American, Iron, wood, silver, American
On loan to The Met
Pair of Flintlock Pistols
Henry Young
ca. 1815
Flintlock Longrifle, Jacob Kuntz American, Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver, bone, horn, American, Philadelphia
Flintlock Longrifle
Jacob Kuntz
ca. 1810–20
American Longrifle, Martin Shell Jr. American, Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver, American, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
On loan to The Met
American Longrifle
Martin Shell Jr.
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Flintlock Longrifle, George Schreyer, Sr. American, Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver, American, Pennsylvania, York County
Flintlock Longrifle
George Schreyer, Sr.
ca. 1795
Flintlock Longrifle, David Cooley American, Wood (curly maple, ash), steel, silver, brass, American, Heidlersburg, Tyrone Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania
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David Cooley
ca. 1815–1825

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