Also known as the Pennsylvania Rifle or the Kentucky Rifle, the American Longrifle is not a specific model by a specific manufacturer, but rather a type of gun made by numerous individual gunsmiths. It is considered the first indigenous American firearms design, created by German immigrant gunsmiths in the early 1700s. It was developed from the German Jaeger short barrel large-caliber flintlock muzzleloading hunting rifle. Functional changes included decreasing the caliber to save scarce lead and lengthening the barrel to increase velocity to compensate for the smaller projectile. Defining characteristics of the American Longrifle include a long rifled barrel typically 34 to 48 inches or more, with most common calibers being in the .36 to .52 range, along with a full-length one-piece stock extending almost to the muzzle. The classic longrifle stock has a graceful droop to the buttstock and is often made of maple or curly maple. Although the style originated in Pennsylvania, the term "Kentucky Rifle" came into widespread common usage through a popular song of 1815 called "The Hunters of Kentucky" which celebrated Andrew Jackson's victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans: &break; &break; But Jackson he was wide awake,&break; And was not scar'd at trifles,&break; For well he knew what aim we take,&break; With our Kentucky rifles.&break; &break; The general pattern was in fairly wide use by 1740, and the "Golden Age of Kentucky Rifles" is generally considered to be roughly 1776 to 1815. During this era ornate decoration was widely popular including carved stocks and decorative stock brass or silver inlays, along with highly ornate patchboxes. The longrifle pattern continued to be made into the percussion era. Original flintlock longrifles were often converted to percussion ignition. Longrifle production continued into the 20th century, and they are still being hand-made today. Over 1,000 makers of longrifles from the 18th and 19th century have been identified. The maker's name may be marked on the barrel, although many are unmarked. Some gunsmiths purchased their locks from lock manufacturers, many of them British, and a name on a lockplate is more likely to identify the lock maker than the gunsmith who made the gun.&break; &break; Most gunsmiths who made longrifles also made other muzzleloaders including muskets, pistols, fowlers, and target or match rifles. Most of these types will bring less than the longrifle configuration. An over/under or swivel barrel double barrel longrifle or longrifle-style combination gun will bring a premium.&break; &break; The values shown are for pre-1880 longrifles and are simplistic generalizations, since each longrifle is an individual hand-made piece. Higher values are paid for ornate decoration, original flintlock configuration, and noted gunsmiths. Factors that decrease values include conversion to percussion or modern reconversion to flintlock, or later production undecorated rifles, sometimes called "Southern rifles" or "plain rifles" (which is different than "plains rifles", q.v.)