3 favorite gun-building books??

[fw707]

If you were getting ready to build your first rifle, what are the three books you would want to have on your work bench before you started?
Please list your favorite three that address the building process, but feel free to add any more that have good beginner's info for carving, inlays, basic engraving, or other associated skills and subjects.

Thanks!

 

[flashpanner]

"The Art of Building the Pennsylvania longrifle" by Dixon, Ehrig and Miller
"The Gunsmith of Grenville County" by Peter Alexander
"Recreating the American Longrifle" by William Buchele, George Shumway and Peter Alexander
I have read thru these books several times. You might be able to get a copy to view first via inter-library loan before buying. These books availiable from TOTW and other fine m/l suppliers

 

[davy]

"The Art of Building the Pennsylvania longrifle" by Dixon, Ehrig and Miller
"The Gunsmith of Grenville County" by Peter Alexander
"Recreating the American Longrifle" by William Buchele, George Shumway and Peter Alexander
I have read thru these books several times. You might be able to get a copy to view first via inter-library loan before buying. These books availiable from TOTW and other fine m/l suppliers

From the standpoint of being a BP gun building newbie myself, I agree with all three! I have learned a great deal from all three! :thumbsup:

Davy

 

[Vaino]

Any one of the 3 "how to" books mentioned above and RCA vols. 1 & 2. Unless a builder has access to a lot of originals, the RCA books are the next best references......Fred

 

[Grizzly Bear]

I'm just getting started, working on a Jim Chambers Lancaster kit,have all 3 books.

Just purchased the RCA Vol 1&2 at Dixon's, the RCA book great, also have several books from James Whisker.

Also I look at public auctions have picked up some gunsmithing books and a very old copy of Chuck Dixon's book.

 

[fw707]

My library didn't have any of the 3 books, but they've got them on order.
I'm not familiar with the "RCA" books. What are they, and where do you find them?

Thanks for the replies! :grin:

 

[Zonie]

George Shumway is the author and publisher of a number of books related to traditional muzzleloading rifles. You might say he has devoted his life to the subject and is very knowledgeable of the subject.

Many of his books are available from the major book sites however you can also order directly from him.

He was kind enough to autograph each of the copies of RCA I ordered directly from him.

The prices are not cheap, but his books have the advantage over some other books in that they have multiple views of each rifle.
This makes recreating similar rifles much easier and contributes to using them as a basis for comparison between the various builders and schools.

Here are some links to his Publishing House:
RCA Vol I
RCA Vol II

He also publishes the landmark book THOUGHTS ON THE KENTUCKY RIFLE IN IT'S GOLDEN AGE by Joe Kindig Jr.

I have found that although these books are expensive, giving my wife his E-Mail address along with a Strong Hint that such and such a book from him sure would make a hell of a nice Christmas present. It's worked a number of times.
Zonie

 

[LSU TIGER]

I agree, RCA I & II and Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in it's Golden Age by Kindig.