ALR Library : A tribute to James B. Whisker

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

As a tribute to Jim, another pioneer in the study of the Kentucky Longrifle, I am hoping that those who know him personally will add here "tales untold"  to contribute to the information not known to be published elsewhere for future scholars and collectors to honor this mans contributions.
Thank you
Hurricane

[msmith]

 A couple years ago when I became interested in locally made longrifles someone told me to contact Mr Whisker.I contacted him through email.I asked him many questions he was more than helpful.I needed certain info from a very hard to find book.Mr Whisker copied many pages and sent them to me at no charge.I asked him on another occasion about articles I heard about in a now obsolete magazine.I had looked everywhere for this magazine and could not find it.Mr Whisker said he had one copy, and it was not for sale. About a week after this correspondence , I received this copy in the mail. His only copy.This may sound strange but had he given me Ten Grand I would not have been any more grateful.I thanked him and asked what I owed him.Mr Whisker said not a cent, he was glad someone who appreciated it had it.To say he was helpful to me would be a gross understatement.I have not met him.Mr Whisker if you read this ,Thanks Again, M Smith

[Don Getz]

I have mixed emotions about Jim.   I have a lot of his books, but, many of them have errors in them......you can't take them as "gospel" on a lot of things.   One time I picked up a rifle locally (Selinsgrove..Snyder County) from an old couple.
Gun was signed "M. Beaver" very plain on top of the barrel, and it had all the familiar parts of a Samuel Baum rifle, or a
New Berlin piece....same architecture, same trigger guard, same sideplate, etc.    The gun originally came out of Millheim
which is due west of New Berlin, in the same valley.   I figured it was probably made in the Baum shop.   I showed it to
Jim Wisker, he looked at it for 30 seconds, and proudly declared " it was made in Ohio".    Nontheless, I still enjoy some
of his books, they show a lot of rifles not shown elsewhere.....Don

[Curt J]

Jim provided me with quite a bit of information while I was working on GUNMAKERS OF ILLINOIS, 1683-1900. Most of it related to gunsmiths who had also worked somewhere in the East, before coming to Illinois. Yes, there may be a few errors in some of his books, but he has also provided information (and pictures of guns) on a great many gunsmiths that have not been covered anywhere else. He still sends me any information he runs across pertaining to Midwestern gunsmiths, including some he sent within the last few days. He is a man who is always willing to share information with other researchers, something I cannot say for some others. I believe his books have been a very valuable contribution to our field of interest, and will continue to be.

[mountainman]

I had been looking for a book by James B. Whisker, it was titled Gunsmiths of Adams, Franklin, Cumberland>>>>? Counties, TOW tells me they are out of print. just my luck.. I didn't know if anyone knows where such a book might available, anywhere?  Any Information would be appreciated!! THANKS!!

[jwh1947]

You might check with Old Bedford Village.  Last time I bought some Whisker books there they were $10.00 each, 3 for $25.  Don is correct, Jim could have used a good proofreader.  Also,  a few restocks appear in his books, identified as genuine rifles.  Then again, this is not the only place where this occurs.

[JTR]

Well I’ll add a good word as I appreciate the books that Jim published, especially considering the trouble he went to gathering the information and taking the pictures.
I guess I could complain that the pictures aren’t all in color and that he didn’t show more views of various guns, or that there are some mistakes. But I won’t because I haven’t produced anything better, or more accurate.
If you want to discount his books for a few errors, then you might as well throw out Dillons and all the rest. But if you want to see a lot of guns not published elsewhere, pick up a few of his titles and enjoy.
Originally his books sold for $25/$35 each, and most sell beyond that price now, some considerably.  If you can find them for 10 bucks each, or 3 for $25, I suggest you snap um’ up.
Check out the link below for some current prices.

https://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Whisker,%20James%20B

Mountainman, check the on-line book sellers for that title, or if you have one nearby, your local gunshow.

John

[T*O*F]

I posted this recently in another thread.  Whisker is allowing Cornell Publications to reprint all his books.  The first 4 were published this month.  Go to www.cornellpubs.com and check periodically.  The one you are looking for is not yet available.

[Karl K.]

Abebooks.com has 4 from $65 up to $150:

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=whisker&bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&sortby=2&sts=t&tn=Gunsmiths+of+Adams%2C+Franklin%2C+Cumberland+Counties%2C&x=0&y=0

[mountainman]

Thanks guys!!

[PINYONE]

I met Jim at Carlisle at KRA Show- I was with his ole Friend Forest Tilton- Tilton had the largest signed collection of Ohio rifles ever assembled. Jim Whisker had more vibrant energy for the whole show in general than anyone else there. He was like a Kid in the Candy Shop. All 0f his books may not be correct in every aspect but as one other Writer told me you can not afford not to have them as there is a lot of good stuff and new never before shown rifles. I always find that every where you go some one is a Critic- easy enough- now show me how many books you have published while reading Jim's. Anyway you look at them - they are a part of Longrifle Documentation and History- and will be forever linked to the trade. BLAnk

[MKemper]

As a builder, I have always found Whisker's books among the best in my collection.  He shows more angles of more rifles than any other publisher I am aware of.  Always a good value.