What is the difference..........
 

What is the difference between a Pennsylvania long rifle and a Kentucky long rifle (other than place of origin;))? I'm looking at kits on various sites, and for the life of me I can't see any difference in the lines, calibers, ect.
Any help would be appreciated.....thanks in advance.

They got their start in Penn. derived from the German Jager. Transformed from short large caliber barrels to longer smaller caliber. Thus came the very graceful Pennsylvania long rifle. Why the term Kentucky got stuck on them I don't know for sure. A study of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle is very interesting as it seems each county had their own ideas on design from plain to very ornate. Locks could be identified to a particular just by plate designed even thpugh most were individually made. Somewhere I have a couple of good books on these rifles that I haven't looked at for years. Will have to locate them for author and titles.

popplecop,

Very well done. You got it right. The National Muzzleloading Rifle Association has lots of good historic articles on the PA Rifle every issue, it seems.

Adam