By the late 18th Century, flintlock pistols were evolving right alongside their bigger cousins, the American longrifle. Their use became more commonplace in the colonies and they were possessed by more than just the gentry. After the French Revolution, sword duels were being replaced by pistol duels. Therefore, the pistol had to be aimed and accurate out to acceptable dueling ranges, roughly 25 yards. Because of the relatively short sighting plane, the addition of a rear sight now made this possible. Often referred to as the ‘Kentucky Pistol’, the distinctive architecture provided by the ‘Bird’s Head’ grip makes this pistol readily identifiable as one produced in the colonies rather than England.