The name Remington is synonymous with the history of the United States, from the Civil War, the two world wars, and every skirmish in between . . . to outlaws beyond the pale, and the law enforcement officers hired to catch them. The name is equally synonymous with hunting, from casual afternoons plinking by a pond, to deer hunting in Pennsylvania, to hunting elk and antelope in the West. The History of Remington Firearms follows the rise of the company, from Eliphalet Remington’s first handmade gun in 1816, to the dominance of the Remington factories during the early industrial era, with lavish custom-made pieces for heroes and statesmen, with the triumph of the common man’s gun, and with the little .22, which became a part of so many childhoods. It is also a history of innovation, of the rush to create, with the development of the first hammerless repeater, the first slide-action rifle, advances in boring, and revolutions in ammunition. And the modern classics, like the 870 pump-action “Wingmaster” shotgun, and the Model 700 bolt-action rifle. Complete with more than 150 full-color photographs, including designer drawings and pictures of the gun in use throughout history, The History of Remington Firearm is a collector’s edition for gun enthusiasts and historians alike.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.

Originally published in 1883, The Gunsmith’s Manual is generally considered to be the first substantive work dealing with gunsmithing exclusively and in detail. A comprehensive introductory chapter, one of the manual’s best qualities, provides the reader with an extensive history of the gun, including the invention of gun powder, the first rifle, and much more. Once acquainted with firearms, readers can then move on to learn how guns were made and used in the nineteenth century, as well as terms used in gunsmithing. The real meat of the book, however, is the authors’ detailed instruction on gun care and maintenance. Specifics are offered on tools, workbench materials and setup, metalworking, working with wooden stocks, common repairs, and the process of browning, among many other topics. You can even improve your marksmanship with these expert shooting tips for a variety of firearms. Although first published in the nineteenth century, The Gunsmith’s Manual is highly relevant for today’s firearms owners and tinkerers. The authors’ recommended procedure for removing a rusted-in screw, for example, is still widely used over 100 years later. You can learn to care for your rifle or shotgun as traditional gunsmiths would have. For both the historian and the firearms enthusiast, The Gunsmith’s Manual is an invaluable learning tool.

Hartman's text is a great initiation for hobbyists who wish to try building a real gun from scratch, using only standard garage tools, not milling machines or lathes. He explains how to build a firearm with a used .22 barrel from a gun show and some scrap steel while using a drill press, grinders, wire welder, a hacksaw, and files.

The history of American firearms is inseparable from the history of the United States, for firearms have played crucial roles in the nation’s founding, westward expansion, and industrial, economic, and cultural development. This history unfolds in compelling words and images in A Legacy in Arms, a volume that draws upon the collections of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City to trace the business and art of gun making from the early national period to the turn of the twentieth century. With more than 200 images—almost all in full color—A Legacy in Arms not only documents the inspiration and innovation of arms makers from individual artisans to mass producers, but also describes the development of decorative expression in the gun maker’s art. In an account both entertaining and enlightening, Richard C. Rattenbury details the development of commercial arms making, from the genesis of the Kentucky rifle to the arms of such iconic manufacturers as Colt, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Sharps, Marlin, and Winchester. Into this narrative he weaves the particulars of design evolution and the impact of mass production via the “American System.” The accompanying photographs and illustrations stand as eloquent testimony to the range and richness of the gun maker's craft—and its rightful place in the story of American industry and culture.