Flintlock Longrifle 1810 - 1830

This is a flintlock longrifle made by David Cooley, who was born in 1790. Arms like these were crucial to the military, economic, and social expansion of the United States during the 19th century. Note the elaborate, ornamental details, and the sheer length of the barrel. This is no mass-produced army rifle. The embellishments speak to the owner’s wealth and social standing. This longrifle was made during a time when the US government was systemically dispossessing Native Americans of their land. In this context, a weapon becomes both a means of violence and a symbol of political power. Objects like these force us to confront the uneasy relationship between artistic beauty, material culture, and social history. Further research into Cooley, his patrons, and the provenance of this weapon could tell us more about its role in the history of American expansion. Ultimately, the meaning of this object is contingent on its historical context.