Found a book for pistol builders.

[alyce-james]

Gentlemen; Over the last couple of years some members of the form have asked about reference books that may answer questions and assist in the correct building of early pistols. The book listed below should be helpful. A random example; A) "ILLUSTRATION" Saw Handled flintlock 1813-1820, B) Details of decoration, C) Details of construction, D)Marks. and E) General remarks.The title of the book referenced; "BRITISH PISTOLS AND GUNS 1640 - 1840" by Ian Glendenning, publisher, Cassell and Company Limited, London. First Published . . . 1951. Hard cover with dust cover 195 pages and each pistol and gun photographed. List of names appearing on firearms. Something of interest to be found in this book. Enjoy. AJ.

[olsplntr]

New, this book retails for $170+ on Amazon.  I checked Amazon first then went to one of the links that will take you to other sellers they are associated with that have used copies for sale. I got mine for $35.99 + $4 shipping. Used but good condition.

[JV Puleo]

Glendinning did lovely pen & ink illustrations. His photos are all you can expect for a 1951 book and his facts need to be very carefully vetted. A huge amount of the confusion around the Ketland's is attributable to him though I am certain what he wrote was all meant in good faith. It's just that a few things have been learned since then.

The same can be said for George's work... George was killed in action in WWII and his pistol book published posthumously in 1946 or 47. For many years it was the best, and only, available work but it's now long out of date. However, one very good thing about these early books is that they rarely include items that have been "improved" by subsequent generations of collectors.

And Charles Winthrop Sawyer (Firearms in Colonial America) liked to make things up...