The Kentucky Pistol is a flint lock single shot muzzle loaded pistol. Firing this pistol required loading of the gunpowder, projectile and paper wad for each shot. The Kentucky Pistol was a classic American weapon used by early explorers,  and in the American Revolutionary War and Civil War.  Theses pistols had an octagonal rifled barrel and an effective range of about 50 feet.  They were typically used as a self defense sidearm. This pistol was frequently stocked with maple or cherry. Kentucky pistols made during the last period of production, 1812-1825 were mass produced using standardized parts.  Early versions of the Kentucky Pistol were equipped with an ornate butt cap however this was later dropped from the design. These were typically equipped with a curved cane-handle type grip with a bulbous pommel. More of these pistols were produced in Pennsylvania than any other state and were made by gunsmiths migrated from Central and Southern Europe.