Flintlock Longrifle 1825 - 1850

This flintlock longrifle was made by Samuel Baum Sr. in the late 18th or early 19th century. It is made of wood, iron, and brass, all worked by hand to create both a functional weapon and a beautiful object. The wood has been carefully selected for its grain and density, then skillfully carved and shaped to fit the shooter’s shoulder. The iron barrel has been forged and rifled for accuracy. The brass inlays add decorative flair and speak to the gun's owner’s status. Look closely to the details of the engraving; you can imagine Baum Sr. carefully etching each line with specialized tools. The longrifle emerged from the culture of skilled craftspeople, combining European gun-making traditions with North American aesthetics. This object shows how craft traditions were deployed in frontier life, a period when the line between art and utility was blurred. It also speaks to the labor, skill, and social values that were invested in producing these objects.