The Kindig and Shumway RCA books are great... BUT... they don't represent the vast majority of American longrifles in collections. Kindig was focused more on the high art rifles by the finest "golden age" makers, while Shumway was intrigued by the very earliest "Kentucky" rifles and how they developed. Unless you have deep pockets and don't mind a few costly mistakes along the way [most "reworked," questionable, or faked rifles are from these high-value categories]. I'd think you might be better served to pick up some of the books on the attractive, but not highest art, rifles that are in most collections, and learn from them. Jim Whisker's books, while having a few mixed-up guns at times, are still probably the best low-cost books to learn about the different states' gunmaking, the breadth of styles within those states, the different makers, etc. The lessons hurt a lot less on these more representative guns, and you really learn a lot more about what America's frontier rifles were all about. A lot of times the beat-up working rifles have a lot more American history... I like to think "soul"... in them than the finest "closet queens."
Shelby Gallien
Whisker is on the docket. Thanks.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the Kindig book right now. I haven't even read far enough to get to the rifles, I'm just enjoying the history. And what Kindig couldn't possibly envision, I'm able to watch some video of exhibits to go along with the reading that really enhance the learning. The most fun you can have in an armchair.
