An index of various patch boxes, locks, and inlays?

[zimmerstutzen]

Hopefully by this time next week I will own an original onsigned long rifle, that I have been after for two years.  Is there an index of patch box shapes, lock plate shapes and inlays, maybe even engraving styles that help to place a gun's maker and maybe even ID the maker.  Sort of like a key used to identify trees by bark, shape and leaves.    I realize that long rifles are not that able to be pigeon holed, but  at least as for style and period.   

[Tom Currie]

The key you are looking for is the lifetime of experience senior ALR members posess 

[BGC]

Two books which are long out of print, but you might find one or both of them at a auction, flea market or maybe even a book store such as bookfinder.com.
First one is:  Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes and Barrel Marks by Roy F. Chandler
Second one is:  Kentucky Rifle Patcboxes Volume 2 by Chandler & Whisker.
Although these two volumes are far from being the final word, they can be a good start to tracking down the makers of unsigned rifles. These two books along with other reference books on Kentucky Rifles will help you on your "reading journey" to identifying a certain rifle.  Some gun makers made it easy for us by using the same style of patch box over and over. While others diversified and made different styles using several patterns. Like it has been said earlier, don't count out personal experience by other collectors. Good luck in finding out who made your newly acquired rifle.

[bluenoser]

A first edition Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes by Roy Chandler is currently up for auction on eBay.  Currently at about $148.00.
http://cgi.ebay.com/KENTUCKY-RIFLE-PATCHBOXES-ROY-CHANDLER-1ST-EDITION-1971-/360254762175?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item53e0db6cbf