Long Rifle Research

[nord]

                  New Book Release:  

Kentucky Gunmakers of the Muzzle Loading Era 1775-1900  


Printed in a two-volume set: Volume I is “Gunmaking History” in 289 pages, and Volume II is “Biographies” in 322 pages. Pages are large format size 9x12 printed on premium 105 lb. coated paper with matt finish. Bindings and covers are high quality and each volume has an attractive dust jacket. The publication is a massive, thorough study of early gunmaking in Kentucky. It documents the gunmakers who shaped Kentucky’s gunmaking traditions and the fascinating “southern” guns they made. Many never-before seen rifles are illustrated as the story of Kentucky’s gunmaking is told…from Kentucky’s earliest gunmakers to its last holdouts who clung to the “old ways” in the state’s southwestern hill county area until the end of the nineteenth century.

Volume I… is a highly illustrated narrative of Kentucky’s gunmaking that begins with the first pioneer gunsmiths to walk on Kentucky soil. The state’s early rifles were “working guns” with limited furniture that was often a mixture of iron and brass. The “golden age” of Kentucky gunmaking appeared about 1800. It has seven identified schools of gunmaking that includes the outstanding Lexington, Bardstown, Louisville, and Ohio River Schools. The percussion years from 1835 to 1900 saw a gunmaking industry blossom in Louisville and elsewhere that sold thousands of rifles to settlers heading west in America’s “Manifest Destiny” or great western expansion era. Superb target rifles appeared during Kentucky’s percussion era, with Benjamin Mills’ rifles being among the best not only in Kentucky, but in the nation.

Volume II… contains over 1,100 biographies of gunsmiths who worked in Kentucky during the muzzle loading era. Within its pages the lives of Kentucky’s most noted makers are documented, along with their training and early migration patterns that help explain the final styles found in Kentucky’s major gunmaking schools. Readers will learn about the Bryan and West families of Lexington, Jacob Rizer and David Weller of Bardstown, Moses Dickson and Joseph Griffith of Louisville, Benjamin Mills of Harrodsburg, John Shell and Pleasant Wilson of the southeastern hill county, and others whose high quality work is becoming admired and sought after today.

For years Kentucky’s gunmaking was often ignored by collectors and researchers due to the assumption that its guns were, for the most part, lesser quality “hog rifles.” Better rifles were often attributed to “southwestern Virginia” during that era that today can be identified as Kentucky products. Collectors, researchers, and historians can now identify Kentucky’s early rifles and avoid the injustice of calling them “southwestern Virginia” guns. More importantly, Kentucky can now appreciate its early arms-making heritage and take its rightful place among states where early gunmaking became highly developed, artistic, and an important economic factor for the state.

Price:      $ 149.95 for the two-volume set. Mail orders add $14 for shipping and handling.
Availability:    Introduction February 22 & 23 at Prairie State Longrifle Show in Princeton, IL.
      Available at KRA, CLA and other “splinter” longrifle shows in 2013.
Mail order:  order at sgallien@comcast.net with shipments beginning first week of March.

[Gary Tucker]

I have been hearing about this book being in the works for a long time.  Being from Kentucky, I  am excited to see it finally  here.  After reading some of Shelby"s articles and seeing his posts on this website I know it will be everything we all are hoping for.  I know I will be ordering mine shortly.

[keller]

I have been trying to send an email to the address for Gallien's book but it keeps getting bounced
back.  Does someone have a proper or alternate email address.   Thanks, Bob E.

[nord]

Address as listed on the book jacket is correct. Possibly a full mailbox is all I can think of.

[rtadams]

2-20-13

Nord,

Will there be a leather bound limited first edition dated and signed or limited first edition dated and signed books?

Best Regards,

Robert

[Tanselman]

Robert, The first 500 copies will be numbered, and signed if requested by the buyer. All first edition books are the same, and there are no leather bound copies.  Shelby Gallien

[G-Man]

Congratulations Shelby - there is a lot of growing interest in these early Kentucky and other Trans-Appalachian gunsmiths and your book comes at a great time.

Guy

[rtadams]

2-20-13

Nord,

I failed to include in my first's request for information on the books --- will the Limited First Edition books be numbered from 1 to 500 with author's signature and date?

Best Regards,

Robert

[Tanselman]

Robert, The first 500 copies will be numbered, and signed if requested by the buyer. All first edition books are the same, and there are no leather bound copies.  Shelby Gallien

[Loudy]

I was fortunate to be able to pick up a set of these books  from Shelby last weekend.  They are fantastic.  Great addition to my personal reference library.  Thank you Shelby for all your work on these books.
Mark Loudenslager

[Tanselman]

Mark, thanks for the kind words regarding "Kentucky Gunmakers." I have tried to create a "gun book" with historical value and insights into early Kentucky's fascinating frontier period, in addition to offering many illustrations of fine guns made in the state, so that it appeals to a wider audience. After the "book" was finally sent to the printer, I didn't see it for several months. When I got the first advance copy to see in early January, I actually enjoyed reading the entire first volume...again. I'm intrigued by Kentucky's early history and its early rifles; I hope I have advanced our knowledge of Kentucky's history with this effort.

Funny story (as long as my wife doesn't read it)...my wife thought I would stop buying Kentucky guns after the book was finally completed and published, but at the Prairie State Longrifle Show I was able to purchase [after pestering the owner for many years] the only example of a Jacob Rizer pistol made in Bardstown, KY that I know of. And then on Sunday after the show, I picked up an untouched full-stocked rifle by Thomas A. Long of KY, originally flint but now percussion, swamped barrel over 45 inches long, nicely stocked in walnut with well-formed iron mountings. No one that I know has ever seen one of his guns, but there was at least one hiding in southern Indiana...so maybe I'm on my way to a volume 3 in the future... if my wife doesn't shoot me first!  Shelby Gallien  

[Curt J]

Shelby, I have been reading Volume I as time permits, and they are great books.  There is a V. R. Washburn rifle, hanging in our county museum here, (I'm on the Board) that can go into Vol. III.  We never knew who he was until your books came out.  It is stocked in cherry.

[Tanselman]

Curt, It's neat that you were able to identify another gun with KY roots; Washburn is a KY maker whose guns seem to be scarce. I've never seen or heard of one, so maybe in August we can run over so I can photograph it. One of the goals of getting "Kentucky Gunmakers" into the public domain is exactly this situation...people now identifying previously unknown rifles so that they can be put into their proper historic context and become more appreciated for what they are...particularly if they have Kentucky connections! Only slightly odd thing is the cherry stock out here in the Midwest...must have been a little short on maple...or perhaps building for a displaced New Englander. Thanks for the comments on the book; I had a great time at the Princeton Show this year despite the pesky weather.  Shelby Gallien

[Tanselman]

The new book, "Kentucky Gunmakers 1775-1900," will be available at the "Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show" at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN on Friday & Saturday, April 19th and 20th. Along with the books there will be a display of fine Kentucky-made rifles and pistols, many of which are illustrated in the book. The Tennessee show is a great show with lots of "southern" rifles and powder horns on display, and well worth attending.   Shelby Gallien

[WElliott]

I'm looking forward to getting my copy of this landmark book at the Tennessee show next month, and to seeing the Kentucky-made rifles Shelby will have on display!

[Tanselman]

If anyone has a rifle or pistol that was made in Kentucky, and would be willing to let it be photographed and measured for possible use in a future third volume of "Kentucky Gunmakers," I'd appreciate seeing it at the Tennessee Show in Norris, TN this April 19-20. Shelby Gallien

[Tanselman]

Just a reminder that the new book, "Kentucky Gunmakers 1775-1900," will be available at the Tennessee Show in Norris, TN in the near future, April 19 & 20. Sales of the book in Kentucky have already "pulled out" a couple of neat guns not generally known to the collecting fraternity...foder for a possible 3rd volume in the future if the trend continues.  Shelby Gallien