shanneba
Professional
Above, the “Grouseland Rifle” is the official rifle of the state of Indiana, and it was made by Col. John Small, who is regarded one of the finest gunsmiths west of the Appalachians. Small had been a soldier during the Revolutionary War, and he eventually settled in the Northwest Territory in Vincennes.
This long gun, built by Indiana’s first sheriff John Small around 1803, would become known in 2004 as the “Grouseland Rifle” when it returned to Vincennes to reside in the museum at Gov. William Henry Harrison’s Grouseland home.
In 2012 when the Grouseland Rifle was adopted as the official rifle of the State of Indiana, it would come to symbolize an entire state’s regard for its frontier heritage.
As part of Indiana’s 200th anniversary of statehood, the Grouseland Foundation, owner of the rifle and conservator of Harrison’s territorial home, commissioned a bicentennial reproduction of Indiana’s state rifle, offered at auction to further historical preservation in John Small’s hometown of Vincennes.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Grouseland Rifle: A Longrifle by John Small
A Revolutionary War veteran and one of the leading men in the “Old Northwest,” John Small was also perhaps the finest gunsmith to work west of the Appalachian Mountains”—and one of his rifles is the official rifle of Indiana. Respected longrifle gunsmith Marvin Kemper has recreated it.
Other States with official firearms-
Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Long Rifle
West Virgina - Hall Flintlock model 1819
Kentucky - Kentucky Long rifle
Tennessee - Barrett M82
Missouri - Hawken rifle
Texas - Colt Walker
Colorado - Colt 1911
Arizona - Colt Single Action Army
Alaska - Pre 64 Winchester model 70
