Thoughts on the Kentucky rifle in its Golden Age (Longrifle series) by Joe Kindig (Hardcover 1st edition, 2nd printing 1971) $80 OBO
Mr. Kindig's thoughts concern American flintlock rifles as works of art and this book is a grand display of this art. His thesis is that the gunsmiths who made these rifles were the finest artisans who worked in early America. He provdes this by showing detailed photos of 262 of the finest pieces from his famous collection. Flintlock rifles were produced chiefly along the Appalachian piedmont from the eastern border of Pennsylvania to South Carolina. From locality to locality within this region distinctly different artistic details were used to decorate the rifles, and distintcly different styles of stock architecture and metal mountains were used. Kindig's study is the first to recognize the existence of these many schools of gun-smithing and to show the importance of them to the study of the rifle and its art. Lancaster County, Pa., rifles, it may be seen, frequently have a daisy-like flower as a motif on the patchbox. In contrast, a flower with four pointed petals frequently was used in York Count. The art of the longrifle is basically rococo art, but on this rifle it becomes American rococo, far removed in both time and place from the rococo of Europe. No field of American antiques holds as much fine and varied rococo art as does the longrifle. And this is the book which it can be seen and studied.
Firearms, Traps, and Tools of the Mountain Men by Carl P. Russel (Hardcover 1st edition 1967) $40 OBO
This encyclopedic guide to the equipment of the trappers and fur traders who opened the Old West is a unique reference work that can be classified either as history or as archaeology. It describes and discusses hundreds of iron artifacts-rifles, shotguns, hatchets, axes, knives, traps, and miscellaneous tools-used by the mountain men from the early 1800s to the mid 1840s. Thirty years' research went into the writing of this book. In addition to examining the diaries and letters of the trappers themselves, and the business records of fur-trading companies, the author also tracked down the records and catalogs of the gunsmiths, ironmongers, and other manufacturers who supplied the early traders. He observed most of the surviving artifacts, identified their makers, and traced the evolution of the styles and designs of the weapons and tools, usually from European origins. Illustrated with over 400 drawings, the book begins with a useful background history of the western fur trade. Among the sections that will appeal to special groups of readers are chapters on firearms and blacksmithing and an appendix on the "Historic Objects as Sources of History."
Both books in very good condition and include the dust jackets.
Will meet within a 20 mile radius of Kokomo, or ship 1st Class USPS insured for $10. Payment either cash or USPS money order.
Last edited:
