[greyhound]

Can anyone reccomend a good book describing the black powder hobby?

I have a huge interest in history so I'm kinda intrigued, but know absolutely zilch about black powder cept what I've read or seen in the movies!

[JPM63US]

What aspect of the "Black Powder" hobby are you interested in??

Muzzle Loading Firearms?
Living history?
Gun making?
Civil War?
Cap and Ball Revolver?

Please advise and I'll try to point you to resources.

Find (on e-bay or similar) a set of Foxfire Books. Everyone should have them.

Read the Last of the Mohicans.

JPM

[greyhound]

Thanks!

I'd say Civil War, both rifle and revolver.

May lead on into re-enacting!

[JPM63US]

OK - I don't do Civil War, but have friend who do.

Start with the NSSA (North South Skermish Association). They are the dudes who run all the re-enactments and set up lots of the shooting rules.

http://www.n-ssa.org/

I still think the foxfire books are a great start . . .

JPM

[Poodleshooter]

Foxfire #5 has the blackpowder stuff (also ironworking and various hunting stories).
I'd also recommend Sam Fadala's Blackpowder Handbook as a good basic starter book. All of the online retailers carry, as will many large bookstores.

[BigG]

Any book with "Lyman" in the title would be a good read, imho.

[4v50 Gary]

It you want to read about the guns themselves,

Edward Williams Civil War Guns is about the best there is. You can buy direct from him (he'll autograph it and autographed copies retain their value - or are worth more). It was first published in 1962 and has recently been reprinted. Chickamauga National Park site will start stocking them and will invite him over for a book signing ceremony. Cost is $45 delivered from him. Private mail me if you want his mailing addy.

Joe Bilby's Civil War Firearms is good if you're a re-enactor or are interested in re-enacting. Joe describes the more common guns and the loads used by re-enactors for them. You may want to roll your own cartridges for Civil War guns too and Joe's book has some info on it. BTW, I'm not a re-enactor and I use a pour my powder from my horn into a measure for my Civil War guns. I do mold my own minie balls though.

I like the older Lyman Blackpowder Handbook. It's not the book with all the loads in it but a general information book.

[mcneill]

From a historical perspective this is a good one:

Firearms of the American West 1803 - 1865
by Louis A. Garavaglia and Charles B Worman
University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque

although it is kinda pricey - $35 about fifteen years ago.


I recently sent a contribution to the NMLRA and got a copy of

Colt Blackpowder Reproductions and Replicas
by Dennis Adler
Bluebook Publications, Minneapolis, MN

as a consideration. It is a fun book with lots of pictures of the modern reproductions. Also has a chapter on shooting and maintaining black powder pistols. In addition, about one-fourth of the book is a "blue book" of modern blackpowder makes, models, and pricing.

Jim

[bfoster]

Though it doesn't focus primarily on the arms of the war between the states Ned Roberts The Muzzleloading Cap Lock Rifle is truly an exceptional book. It covers a wide range of muzzle loading arms of the war period and afterward, along with loading, shooting, hunting etc. And it's so well written that it isn't a stretch to describe this book as literature.

Bob

[greyhound]

Thanks for all the help!

I've got a lot of reading to do.....

[Poodleshooter]

Edward Williams Civil War Guns is about the best there is. You can buy direct from him (he'll autograph it and autographed copies retain their value - or are worth more). It was first published in 1962 and has recently been reprinted. Chickamauga National Park site will start stocking them and will invite him over for a book signing ceremony. Cost is $45 delivered from him. Private mail me if you want his mailing addy.
I'm reading the local library copy of that book right now. The label inside,noting where the book came from says: "A gift of Edward B Williams". :D