My thanks to the Pensylvania Longrifles for the following information.

Longrifle History Page

Few people know it, but the Kentucky rifle did not originate in Kentucky, it was not soley used by Kentuckians, and survived long after the Kentucky frontier was well established. The "Kentucky" rifle was first developed in Pennsylvania by Germanic settlers who had emigrated from their homeland. Initially the riflesmiths made rifles similar to the hunting rifles they had made and used in their homeland. These were big, heavy barreled, large caliber guns with the innovative rifling cut into the bore. They were either very plain or very fancy. They usually had sliding wooden patchboxes. They were relatively short, having about a 30" barrel length. The frontiersman loved the accuracy of the rifle, but were not warm about the weight, the few balls they could carry per pound, nor the amount of powder it took to drive such balls. They asked for and received from the riflesmiths a rifle which was longer in barrel length for greater accuracy and more efficient powder burn, smaller in barrel width and caliber to reduce weight and allow           more shots per pound of lead balls and powder.    This then finally developed into what we know as the Pennsylvania        Rifle which was such a necessity to our early forefathers in                   pushing back the country's frontier. A rifle of about 40-50 caliber,         about 42" or longer in barrel length, slim, carved for enhancement               as were the German hunting rifles but not to the finesse.            They were WORKING guns, NOT sporting guns.          They were used for defense as well as for food gathering when it           was necessary to bring meat down with one shot or starve.                 These rifles met all the requirements of that period.