The population explosion on the Pennsylvania frontier immediately prior to the French and Indian War was massive, and far surpassed the colony’s ability to either produce or even import firearms,
Produce? Probable, albeit not a proven fact. Import? No problem at all there, as our old friend the PA Gazette will attest (and this is just for Philadelphia alone):July 30, 1741
The Pennsylvania Gazette
PETER TURNER intending for London, desires all Persons indebted to him, to settle and ballance their Accounts... To be Sold by said Turner, at the House late Mr. William Preston's, in Front Street... Rifle barrel Guns, Bucaneers, with several sorts of fowling Pieces..
November 1, 1744
JUST imported from London, in the Argyle, John Seymour, Master & the Williams, Henry Harrison, a Variety of Goods, to be sold by Hamilton, Wallace and Co. at the House where Widow Fishbourn formerly liv'd, the Store fronting Fishbourn's Wharff... trading guns, fowling pieces, ship muskets, pistols, cutlasses, and broad swords, cartouch boxes, red leather belts and French flints...
November 1, 1744
The Pennsylvania Gazette
JUST imported from London, in the Brigantine Argyle, John Seymour, Commander, and to be sold by Huston and Campbell, at their Store, in Front street, opposite to Samuel Hasel, Esq; for Ready Money or short Credit... gun powder, privateering muskets, trading Guns, musket balls, lead, and small shot...
January 22, 1745
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported in the Mary and Carolina, from London, and to be sold by Ebenezer Currie, at his Store, betwixt Grey's and Norris' Alley, in Front Street... Gunpowder, Ships Muskets, Cutlasses and Pole Axes...
September 26, 1745
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported from London, in the Agnes and Betty, Capt. Brame and the Mercury, Capt. Hargrave, and to be sold cheap for ready Money or short Credit by Peter Turner, in Front Street... muskets for privateering, neat fowling pieces...
November 7, 1745
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just Imported by Peter Turner, in the Ship Carolina Galley, Capt. Mesnard from London and to be sold reasonably for ready Money or short Credit... ship muskets, neat light fowling pieces...
October 16, 1746
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported in the Anne Galley, Capt. Houston, from London, and to be sold by Neats and Smith, at their store, opposite to the sign of the Bible, in Front street, for ready money... trading guns, ship muskets, and neat fowling pieces...
March 8, 1748
The Pennsylvania Gazette
A Parcel of good Muskets, all well fitted with Bayonets, Belts and Cartouch Boxes, and Buff Slings to cast over the Shoulder, very useful to such as have Occasion to ride with their Arms; To be sold by B. FRANKLIN.
October 6, 1748
This is to give notice, that on Wednesday, the 12th instant, will be put up to publick vendue, under the court house, an assortment of European and East India goods, viz... muskets, trading guns, and fowling pieces...
July 2, 1752
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported in the Sampson, and other ships, and to be sold cheap, by ROBERT and AMOS STRETTELL, At their store, in Front street... ship muskets and long buccaneers...
June 3, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported in the Philadelphia, Captain Forsyth, from London, and other vessels from London and Bristol, and to be sold cheap, for cash or short credit, by RHEA and WIKOFF, At their store, the fifth door below Black horse alley, in Front street, between Market and Chestnut streets, Best London muskets, London proof...
March 5, 1761
The Pennsylvania Gazette
FRANCIS and RELFE, In Front street, the Corner of Chestnut street, HAVE renewed their large assortment of dry goods of every kind, by the Boreas Frigate, just arrived from London; and who have likewise to sell... rifle gun barrels, the best sort of gunpowder...
June 4, 1761
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported in the last Ships from London, &c. and to be sold by FRANCIS and RELFE, At their Store in Front street, the Corner of Chestnut street, the following Goods... rifle gun barrels and locks, gunpowder, oil flints...
April 14, 1763
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Just imported from London, by the last Vessels, and to be sold cheap, for Cash or short Credit, by WILLS and JACKSON, At their Store in Water street, between Market and Arch streets... brass mounting for guns finished, plain gun locks and bridled ditto, pocket pistols of different sorts, powder horns...
September 6, 1764
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Imported from Liverpool, and to be sold for prime Cost, at ROBERT TOWERS, Between the Presbyterian Meeting and Strawberry Alley, in Market street... rifle double barrel and smooth bore guns, pistols, flints, bullet and shot molds, with a variety of other things...
(This is just the years prior and during the F/I War.)