indianajoe
Expert
Coauthored an article (along with Jeff Jaeger) that appears in the current issue of "Muzzle Blasts," the magazine of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. The "Grouseland Rifle," crafted by Indiana gunsmith John Small sometime between 1803 and 1812, was recently named the Official Rifle of the State of Indiana.
Indiana becomes only the third state in the Union to name an official firearm, after Utah and the Browning M1911 pistol, and Arizona with the Colt 1873 Peacemaker revolver.
Among his many accomplishments, John Small designed a tomahawk for Meriwether Lewis and a long rifle for William Clark. Although the historical record is unclear, William Clark's "Small rifle" may have been carried on the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806).
John Small designed the seal of the Indiana Territory, and his design remains the basis for the current day official State Seal of Indiana. He was credited as Indiana's first sheriff, was a colonel in the territorial militia, and was known among the local native people by his Indian name, "Big Knife."
The Grouseland Rifle will be on display at the NMLRA Educational Building Museum in Friendship, IN, on Saturday, 9 June 2012, during the Spring National Shoot.
Indiana becomes only the third state in the Union to name an official firearm, after Utah and the Browning M1911 pistol, and Arizona with the Colt 1873 Peacemaker revolver.
Among his many accomplishments, John Small designed a tomahawk for Meriwether Lewis and a long rifle for William Clark. Although the historical record is unclear, William Clark's "Small rifle" may have been carried on the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806).
John Small designed the seal of the Indiana Territory, and his design remains the basis for the current day official State Seal of Indiana. He was credited as Indiana's first sheriff, was a colonel in the territorial militia, and was known among the local native people by his Indian name, "Big Knife."
The Grouseland Rifle will be on display at the NMLRA Educational Building Museum in Friendship, IN, on Saturday, 9 June 2012, during the Spring National Shoot.
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