Good book on old muskets?

[DaveN]

I've asked this question on all my collectibles. What books would you recommend so I can learn more about the older black powder fire sticks?

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[Claven2]

Tough one to answer. Like modern cartridge rifles, most books are about specific models of BP rifle. Are you looking for a general book about care and operation, or one about history, markings and collectibility?

Track of the Wolf sells a lot of muzzle loader books and most are decent - you might want to surf over there and browse what's available.

[gew8805]

Claven is correct. Have you decided on what field you want to cover? To even begin to get a sufficient library on just, say, military muskets and rifles you would need at minimum one dozen good reference books some of which were printed in relatively short runs of a few hundred volumes. Cost can range from $35 to $500 each and the one dozen number I mentioned will only sufficiently cover one topic, say US Military Arms ranging from 1650 - 1865. If you want civilian arms references, the same can be said. I have been buying books regularly since the late '60s and every year more books with more accurate, updated information are published. There are at least 20 books out there that I would like to won but I will never be able to own them all. *sigh*



You might also check your local library, many rare titles are available through inter-library loan.