KRA Bulletin | VOLUME 39 | NUMBER 2 | WINTER 2012

Federal rifle procurement in the early republic required balancing speed, cost, and quality as the United States expanded westward and confronted ongoing conflicts along its frontier. This Winter 2012 Bulletin examines that process through a detailed study of the Lancaster firm known as Dickert, DeHuff & Co., whose members managed large scale rifle contracts for both the U.S. Army and the Indian Department between 1792 and 1811.

By integrating government correspondence, production data, and surviving rifles, the article explores why Lancaster emerged as the nation’s premier rifle making center and how figures such as Tench Coxe shaped federal arms purchasing policy. The study traces the transition from individually crafted civilian longrifles to standardized government arms, clarifying how economic pressures and administrative structures influenced the development of the Lancaster pattern and its widespread adoption.

Usage Note: This Bulletin is provided for the private research and educational use of Kentucky Rifle Association members. Redistribution or reproduction without written permission is prohibited.