Book

THOUGHTS ON THE AMERICAN FLINTLOCK PISTOL by Samuel E. Dyke Contains detailed text and illustrations for more than ninety pistols. A MUST-HAVE for black powder and muzzleloading enthusiasts and collectors, gunsmiths, or anyone fascinated by early American firearms. Above: An inside view of book. The American flintlock pistol was developed, simultaneously, with the Kentucky or Pennsylvania rifle. This development was not limited to Pennsylvania alone, but wherever American longrifles were being made, by colonial riflemakers or gunsmiths. The gunsmiths of Pennsylvania turned out more of the so-called Kentucky rifles and pistols than any other state. These pistols were made during three periods of American history: the Revolutionary War, prior to and during the War of 1812, and during the beginning of the expansion of the West. These pistols were usually carried for the protection of a person where a longrifle was impractical to use. However, the pistol, in comparison to the rifle, was ineffective at long range and was generally used at not more than fifty feet distance. Because its effectiveness was limited to fairly close range, the pistol was used primarily for personal combat.