Ind. lawmakers adopt antique gun as state rifle

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Lawmakers backed a measure that would make Indiana the third state with an official gun: a 200-year-old rifle crafted by the man who also designed the state seal and served as Indiana's first sheriff.

The House voted 78-2 Tuesday in favor of the bill that includes the rifle provision and that already got the backing of the Senate, sending it to Gov. Mitch Daniels for consideration.

If Daniels signs the bill, the rifle known as the Grouseland Rifle would join the list of official state emblems such as the state flower, tree, river and seal. It's named after Grouseland, which was the Vincennes home of President William Henry Harrison. The weapon, which has pierced silver and brass inlays, is on display at that historic southwestern Indiana residence.

Sen. John Waterman, R-Shelburn, submitted the rifle amendment after visiting Grouseland and seeing the weapon.

"This rifle and its maker are both integral parts of Indiana history, and as such, the rifle is worthy of its designation as the Indiana State Rifle," Waterman told The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne.

The Indianapolis Star reports that if Daniels signs the bill into law it would make Indiana only the third state with an official gun.

Utah became the first in March 2011, when it honored the Browning M1911 automatic pistol. It was followed in April by Arizona, which chose the Colt Army revolver, The Star reports.

The Grouseland Rifle was made between 1803 and 1812 by John Small, who later became the first sheriff in the state. Small also worked as a master artist and gunsmith, militia captain, tavern keeper and territorial legislator.

He was also commissioned by Harrison to design the seal of the Indiana Territory, which later became the state seal.

There are only six known long rifles made by Small still in existence, one of which was owned by explorer William Clark and is on display at the Missouri Historical Society.

"You don't have one for sale on every street corner," Waterman said.

Dan Sarell, executive director of the Grouseland Foundation in Vincennes, said Grouseland acquired the long rifle, originally a flintlock that was converted to percussion cap, at an auction in 2004. He is hoping the official state designation for the rifle will not only attract visitors to Grouseland "but tell people the story of John Small."

The bill specifies that any duplication, reproduction or sale of a reproduction must be authorized by the foundation.

"It is the only complete John Small rifle left in Indiana that we are aware of," said Jim Corridan, president of the Grouseland Foundation and the state archivist and director of the Indiana Commission on Public Records.

"The rifle is really significant."