The Pennsylvania Rifle (Lancaster County During the American Revolution)

From the rear cover of this 61 page book: "Samuel E. Dyke, well-known Lancaster historian, traces the history of the Pennsylvania Rifle through the formative days of the new nation. He is able assisted by the poplar local artist Constantine Kermes. Used by the frontiersmen for hunting and protection and by the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, the Pennsylvania Rifle was, perhaps, the most effective and widely used firearm on the time. During the Revolutionary period the shops of numerous Lancaster County gunsmiths played an important role in supplying this important weapon to the troops. In recent years the Pennsylvania rifle has rapidly increased in value and is constantly sought after by collectors of guns and antiques. In this book, Mr. Dyke traces its history of development from the hunting rifle of the Germans who settled this area. An important feature is a full listing of all known Lancaster gunsmiths from 1729 through 1815."