Join us as we consider historic and interesting gun companies, books, stories, manuals, and what is behind them.
We host discussions of various old gun manufacturers, suppliers, firearms histories, and books on all subjects relating to guns. Explore origin sto ...
... Read more
Edward Samuel Farrow, (April 20, 1855 – September 8, 1926) born in Worcester County, Maryland, was an author and a commander in the American Indian Wars of the late 19th century. He is particularly known for his service in the Sheepeater Indian War Farrow was a graduate of the West Point Military Academy in 1876, and was a commanding officer of Indian Scouts in the Departments of the Columbia. American Small Arms - A veritable Encyclopedia of Knowledge for Sportsmen and Military Men, 1904 is, as the title suggests a comprehensive treatise on firearms at the turn of the 20th century. It covers virtually all small arms made in the U.S. along with ammunition, sights and telescopes, reloading, manufacturing machinery, and miscellaneous rules for tournaments, sporting events, trap, target, and game shooting. Available from Cornell Publications, 411 pages, 8 1/2" x 11", print version or PDF
We do a deep dive into Modern American Pistols and Revolvers by A C Gould. What was a Modern Revolver in 1896? Find out from this podcast. An account of the development of pistols and revolvers in America; description of the varieties manufactured; manner of shooting them; work accomplished with these arms; departments of pistol and revolver shooting; impressions formed by studying these arms; and rules governing pistol and revolver competitions. Arthur Corbin Gould (1850–1903) was an author, avid shooter and member of the Massachusetts Rifle Association. He published The Rifle in 1885. After Gould's death, The Rifle was acquired as an official publication of the National Rifle Association of America becoming American Rifleman. Mr. Gould authored The Modern American Pistol and Revolver, including a description of modern pistols and revolvers of American make; ammunition used in these arms; results accomplished; and shooting rules followed by American marksmen. The Modern American Pistol and Revolver was the first English-language book devoted to pistol shooting.
A Short Illustrated History of the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company by Joe Vorisek, Joe worked in insurance and traveled extensively throughout New England for his job. Off hours gave him plenty of time to research many of the old gun companies that flourished along or near the Connecticut Valley region, Hopkins & Allen, H&R, American Arms, Crescent Arms, Savage, Stevens, Iver Johnson and more. He wrote books about all of them and this story is a deep dive into the Stevens company. Related links mentioned in the podcast are: Malcolm Telescopes, Cataract Telescopes, Crescent Arms, Davis Arms, and Pope Barrels.
The H&R Arms Company was one of the rare gun makers to survive for over a century. In fact, there is a possibility we may see it back for yet another run. Joe Vorisek worked in insurance and traveled extensively throughout New England for his job. Off hours gave him plenty of time to research many of the old gun companies that flourished along or near the Connecticut Valley region, Hopkins & Allen, H&R, American Arms, Crescent Arms, Savage, Stevens, Iver Johnson and more. He wrote books about all of them and this story is a deep dive into H&R, a great company with a winning plan. H&R went out of business in 1986 but was reincarnated, bought and sold several times until 2015 but may be coming back again. Here is a link to H&R and all Joe’s books. Rob Mouat for Cornell Publications