Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and M16s. Firearms are an undeniable part of the American identity thanks to the Second Amendment and the nation’s spirit of independence and self-sufficiency. The United States was forged in steel and gunpowder, and from the Colonial Era onward the history of America has been tied to the history of the gun.

An American gun connected to a frontier legend, this historic Winchester Deluxe Model 1895 saddle ring carbine was presented by Buffalo Bill to Deadwood businessman and friend M.R. "Gold Nugget Mike/Deadwood Mike" Russell.

Which guns are most American? Sure, that’s a big question to tackle, but Independence Day is all about celebrating the grand sweep of the American story, so let’s take a look at seven firearms that decisively shaped America and shaped the perception of the United States around the world.

If your favorites weren't included, let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out our previous article on the 25 most iconic American guns.

The Kentucky Rifle

The first uniquely American gun was born in the backcountry of 18th century Pennsylvania. Popularly known as the Kentucky Rifle, or Pennsylvania Rifle, the American Long Rifle became a symbol of frontier self-reliance and rugged American individualism, and the gun went on to be a decisive force-multiplier in the Revolutionary War. Wielded by famed frontiersmen like Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket, the Kentucky Rifle was the original defender of Old Glory.

A documented Peter Berry signed, engraved, and relief carved Golden Age flintlock American long rifle.

Pioneered by German and Swiss gunsmiths who immigrated to the Colonies, the American Long Rifle combined numerous features from the Germanic Jäger rifle and English hunting designs that dramatically increased accuracy, including full rifling, greater barrel length, and a snug-fitting, smaller caliber ball.

The first firearm to be regularly fitted with an open rear sight, these elegant flintlocks were favored by American frontiersmen who required the ability to shoot accurately up to 200 yards when hunting in the Virginia wilderness. It turned out that range also worked well for picking off British officers, and General George Washington was quick to take advantage.

Kentucky rifles are one of the first truly American guns, like this George Schreyer Sr. attributed relief carved flintlock.

Most Yankee soldiers during the War of Independence carried smoothbore long arms like their British counterparts, but small groups of riflemen were deployed to harass the British from outside effective musket range. Washington recruited as many long rifle hunters as he could, and the 1,400 or so patriots who answered his call were a deciding factor in winning the Revolution and ensuring the spirit of ’76 lived on. The Kentucky Rifle went on to repel the Red Coats again in 1812, in grand American fashion.

A relief carved and silver accented Reading School Golden Age flintlock American long rifle, a fine example of these innovative American guns.

“But Jackson he was wide awake, and wasn’t scared at trifles, for well he knew what aim we take with our Kentucky rifles.”   – from “The Hunters of Kentucky”, a song celebrating Jackson’s 1815 victory at New Orleans.

The Colt Single Action Army

When it comes to famous American guns, the Colt SAA, the steel embodiment of the Old West, takes the crown. Dime novels and newspapers of the period helped popularize the iconic revolver, and Hollywood made it a legend. “Judge Colt and His Jury of Six” became a symbol of justice and lawlessness on the American frontier, adopted by cowboys, gamblers, lawmen, and desperados as the Land of Stars and Stripes pushed ever westward.

The Colt Single Action Army revolver is one of history's top American guns. The documented, Ainsworth inspected, Lot Five 7th Cavalry Custer battle era SAA pictured above is attributed as captured at the Little Bighorn.

The Peacemaker. The six shooter. “The great equalizer.” The American Army adopted the Colt SAA in July 1873, and a few months later it was offered to the public. The revolver was relatively light, durable, easy to shoot and maintain, and the new .45 caliber brass cartridges made loading faster than ever. It’s no wonder that the Single Action Army was the official sidearm for the U.S Cavalry for 20 years, and even saw limited service well into the 20th century, including serving as General George S. Patton’s favored handgun.

An American gun favored by Old West lawmen, the SAA was offered in numerous variants, like this 1899 manufactured, New Orleans shipped, ejectorless Sheriff's Model with a factory documented 3 1/2 inch barrel.

The lore surrounding the Colt SAA grew along with the legend of the American West, and the famous six shooter has been featured in nearly every Hollywood Western film. Presidents like Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan carried it. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Doc Holliday forged their reputations with it. The Single Action Army has remained in production for over 150 years, with only a brief interruption during WW2 and the decade to follow. Now that’s the definition of an American success story.

Two fantastic examples of the Colt SAA Frontier Six Shooter, a popular American gun out West. The documented pair of factory engraved, silver plated revolvers pictured above are connected to the historic 101 Ranch.

The Winchester 1873

While the Colt revolver ruled the frontier streets, the Winchester rifle was king of the open range. Dubbed “the gun that won the West”, the Winchester '73 is the essence of American made, and the rugged rifle is prominently featured in many Westerns alongside the Colt SAA. The Model 1873’s tough frame, stronger chambering, and wide-scale availability as the railroad brought a new wave of settlers out west seeking the American dream helped transform the rifle into the legend it is today.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Winchester '73 came to embody all three out on the frontier.

Oliver Winchester’s steel framed 1873 was a distinct improvement over the Model 1866 and the 1860 Henry and their bronze receivers. The Model 1873 was also chambered in .44-40, a hefty upgrade for the era and the same ammo chambered a decade later by the Colt Frontier Six Shooter. Carrying only one type of bullet in the saddlebag was a huge advantage out on the frontier, and the sturdy lever action rifle became one of the bestselling guns of the era.

Rock Island Auction Company offers some of the finest publically available Winchester rifles, like this Deluxe Model 1873 Winchester repeater inscribed "W. H. Tucker, North Platte, Neb." Reportedly gifted by William "Buffalo Bill" Cody.

A well-armed frontiersman carried a Colt on his hip and a Winchester over his shoulder. Hollywood seized on that image with movies like Winchester '73 starring Jimmy Stewart and Rock Hudson, and today the rifle is one of the most popular American guns in the collecting community. From movie sets to modern-day Cowboy action shooting competitions, the Model 1873 has stood the test of time like few other firearms and represents the enduring spirit of the American West.

The Winchester 1873 became a symbol of Americanism in the Wild West.

The Colt 1911

Speaking of timeless American guns, the Colt Model 1911 is one of the most popular pistols in history. The M1911 was the brainchild of John Moses Browning, a brilliant gun inventor in an era of unprecedented American invention, and his .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol set a new design standard that is still emulated today. It’s no surprise that the greatest fighting force on Earth carried the world’s greatest handgun.

The Colt M1911 was a gun that changed the world. The example pictured above was part of the second shipment of 1,250 M1911 pistols on 9 July 1913 to the United States Marine Corps Depot Quartermaster in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Often called “Old Slab Sides," or sometimes just “Forty-Five” for its .45 ACP cartridge, Browning’s magazine-fed design was simple and reliable. Faster to load and carrying a higher capacity than the standard revolver, this legendary handgun was eventually adopted by the U.S. Army and has gone on to be the longest-serving sidearm in American military history, only being replaced a few decades ago by the 9mm Beretta. Even still, the M1911 is carried by numerous American officers to this day.

As one of the most popular American guns, rare 1911s are frequently offered at Rock Island Auction Company. This U.S. Colt "Transitional" Model 1911/1911A1 is attributed to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Ret.) Robert H. Solier.

Created by one of America’s greatest inventors and carried on the hips of thousands of G.I.s throughout both World Wars, the M1911 not only deserves a leading spot on any list of greatest American guns, but is a top contender for the definitive firearm of the 20th century. The features that made Browning’s pistol popular over one hundred years ago are what still attract collectors and shooters today, and the design continues to be produced by dozens of manufacturers across the globe.

One of the rarest examples of this WW2 American gun, the Singer Model 1911A1 pistol. “The Invictus Singer” pictured above was the personal sidearm of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas R. Moss, pilot of B-24 No. 27 “Invictus” of the 765th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force.

“The 1911 was the design given by God to us through John M. Browning that represents the epitome of what a killing tool needs to be.”   - Col. Robert J. Coates, USMC

The Thompson Submachine Gun

Recognized around the world for its portrayal in gangster films and its service in WW2, the Thompson submachine gun is one of the most defining weapons in American history. Designed by John Thompson, the Tommy Gun was originally conceived as a WW1 trench sweeper, but was completed too late to see service in France. As it turned out, the Thompson’s function as a close-quarters shock weapon with knock-down firepower was also well suited for the streets of Prohibition Era America.

An exceptional example of one of the most famous American guns, this Colt Thompson Model 1921 is documented to the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department.

The United States is another name for opportunity, and John Thompson left no stone unturned as he marketed his fully automatic Model 1921A to everyone from law enforcement to ranchers to everyday homeowners, but the deadly submachinegun found an unexpected niche with organized crime. “The Chicago Typewriter”. “The Street Sweeper". “The rat-tat-tat”. The Thompson gained dozens of colorful nicknames as it earned its reputation in the Melting Pot of South Side Chicago, carried by motorized bandits and the lawmen on their tail.

Hollywood’s favorite gangster gun, and an American gun to remember. This cased Model 1921/1928 U.S. Navy Overstamp Tommy gun is documented as shipped to the Sheriff's Office of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

In 1938, as America braced for war, the Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. Military and employed by the British as well. The 50 and 100 round drums favored by gangsters were largely dropped for a 20 round stick mag, and over 1.5 million of the new military M1928A1, M1, and M1A1 were produced. From mafia to military to Hollywood, few firearms are more widely recognized than the Thompson, and few guns have impacted America more dramatically both at home and abroad.

The U.S. M1 Thompson, a streamlined version of the platform developed during WW2, offered American officers and NCOs in the European and Pacific theaters a devastating close-quarters combat option.

The M1 Garand

Another member of the iconic American guns club, the M1 Garand rifle was dubbed by General George S. Patton as “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” Americans have a knack for engineering, especially when it comes to firearms, and the M1’s signature power, speed, “ping,” and spectacular service history have made the Garand a clear contender for the quintessential U.S. military long arm.

The M1 Garand is a clear candidate for one of the most American guns of all time. This example, a U.S. Springfield Armory T1E2 "Model Shop" M1 Garand rifle, Serial Number "5", is a true national treasure.

Designed by John Garand, the .30-caliber M1 replaced the 1903 Springfield in 1936 as the standard infantry rifle of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. War loomed on the horizon, and Uncle Sam answered the call. The semi-automatic M1 Garand is a red-blooded American gun, delivering high-volume fire that helped lead the United States to victory on the battlefields of Europe and the Islands of the South Pacific by eclipsing Axis bolt-action rifles like the German 98k and the Japanese Arisaka. When it came to defending the freedom, safety, and security that the nation celebrates every July 4th, few American guns were more instrumental than the M1 Garand.

A consecutively serialized pair of U.S. Springfield M1C Garand sniper rifles with Lyman Alaskan scopes and matching numbered brackets.

From Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers to the Call of Duty video game series, few weapons can symbolize America’s valor in WW2 better than the M1 Garand. The durable rifle remained in service through the end of the Korean War and became known as the U.S. military’s most successful infantry weapon. While not the first semi-automatic battle rifle issued as a major military standard, the M1 Garand was by far one of the most influential.

One of the most important American guns of the 20th century, the M1 Garand was a U.S. infantry mainstay through WW2 and beyond. This U.S. Springfield example is serial number "1500000".

The M16

What’s more American than the M16? The longest-serving infantry rifle in U.S. military history, the M16 was an answer to the need for a versatile weapon that could excel at both distance combat and the close-quarter fighting frequently encountered during the Korean War. In short, an all-in-one infantry rifle. Though the refinement of the M16 was not without its hurdles, it certainly stepped up to the new challenges of modern warfare.

The M16, a modern defender of Lady Liberty.

The first M16 variant was adapted from the famous ArmaLite AR-15, which needs no introduction here. If the 1911 is America’s pistol, then the AR-15 is America’s rifle, and its M16 sibling represents the 20th century American infantry post Korean War. The M16’s 5.56x45mm cartridge allowed for higher ammo loads and faster rounds, not to mention a lighter rifle that’s easily modded and can be equipped with a 40mm grenade launcher for the ultimate 4th of July fireworks.

The AR-15, one of the most American guns of all time.

With more than 8 million produced and counting, the M16 is a strong candidate for one of the most prolific American guns. The M16A1 corrected some of the rifle’s shortcomings that surfaced in the harsh jungles of Vietnam, and the M16A2's greater customization options brought the platform into the modern age. The platform's successor, the M4 carbine, has carried the M16's design legacy into the 21st century and continues to serve as America's military standard.

The M16 served as America's signature infantry gun through the end of the Cold War and up to the War on Terror. The Colt M16A2 pictured here, in the "Grenadier" configuration, includes an enlarged handguard acting as the mounting point for a M203 grenade launcher and a flip-up ladder sight graduated to 250 meters.

American Guns for Sale

Each gun has its own story to tell, its own connection not just to the past, but the American spirit.   - Chris Kyle

The seven guns featured here, while undeniably American icons, have only just scratched the surface when it comes to firearms that helped thirteen separate colonies defeat the greatest empire on Earth, form one nation, span a continent, and defend Western Civilization in the 20th century’s two greatest wars.

An American gun from an American lawman, this historic Colt Model 1877 Thunderer was presented to the legendary Pat Garrett after he was appointed United States Collector of Customs by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Subscribe to the Rock Island Auction newsletter for new weekly gun blogs and gun videos on the countless firearms that shaped the American story. From the classic Colt Paterson and Colt Walker, Civil War innovations like the Sharps and Spencer, lever action legends like the Winchester 94 and Marlin 1895, bolt action rifles like the Krag, Model 1903, and Winchester Model 70, WW2 mainstays like the M1 carbine, BAR, and Johnson rifle, and heavy hitters like the M2 and M60, we cover the most historic American guns.

American guns from every era will be featured in Rock Island Auction Company’s August Premier, including this newly discovered Winchester Model 1886 .45-90 WCF rifle with its original shipping crate containing a scabbard, five boxes of ammunition, and its factory letter, a 19th century time capsule unlike anything ever offered to the collecting public.