Book

Best known for his many magazine articles on gunsmithing topics, Peter Alexander has written this gun maker's manual on Building the American Longrifle. Written for both the novice, and the master gun builder, the author explains the basics of each task, and then he delves into the minutia of the interesting variations. This 402 page volume gives him the freedom to express his views, share his discoveries, and expand our understanding far beyond simple basics. Only hands-on work at the bench will get you closer to longrifle building, than this new instruction manual. The author introduces several of the first American gun makers, describing their arrival in America, their apprenticeship, training, known residences, and explaining how the surrounding gun makers may have influenced their style. Inletting, shaping, sculpting, tuning, polishing, and fitting parts is the main topic of the text and photos, but the artistic expression and style of the old makers is the reason we learn these techniques. We honor the work of the early gunmakers, when we treasure and protect the original guns they made, and when we replicate them for our use. With forty chapters, each important topic is explained in detail. Lock geometry is only one of a great many areas discussed in detail. You need not build a longrifle to benefit from a better understanding of the internal geometry of flint and percussion locks. Every muzzle loading shooter and gun owner will appreciate Mr. Alexander's information, opinions, and insights. Repairing and restoring replica and original antique guns requires more than the simple installation of new parts