I’ve lost track of the dozens of books on all phases of the Colt story. One of the best is this pioneering tome, A History Of The Colt Revolver by Charles T. Haven and Frank A. Belton. It covers virtually every model of Colt handgun and longarm from the Paterson through to the Colt Woodsman, with clear photographs and excellent descriptions. Although these topics have all been covered more thoroughly in later books, this book really shines in its second section, which contains a wealth of primary‐source material, including correspondence, broadsides, and documentation.

My favorite section is a seventeen‑page excerpt from the March 1857 issue of United States Magazine, titled “A Day at the Armory of Colt’s Patent Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Connecticut.” It presents a fascinating, step‑by‑step description of every phase of the manufacture of a Colt percussion revolver, complete with engraved illustrations. It’s must‑reading for anyone interested in early Colts.

Another indispensable section covers the Walker and Whitneyville revolvers, presenting 29 pages of documentation on the origins of the Walker. The book is long out of print, but copies can still be found online for $25–$50.

The Brown Bess

The British Brown Bess is one of the dozen most important guns in arms history, yet until recently, definitive information has been hard to come by. Howard Blackmore’s 1961 book British Military Firearms is useful but only scratches the surface. In recent years, several great publications have appeared:

• DeWitt Bailey’s Pattern Dates for British Ordnance Small Arms 1718–1783 (Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, PA, 1997) provides a world of information on British longarms and pistols of the period. It also set the stage for two more recent books.

• Small Arms of the British Forces in America 1664–1815 (Mowbray, Woonsocket, RI, 2009) covers British arms in America from colonial times through the War of 1812. Virtually every standard‐issue type is discussed in detail, along with background and historical notes. An extensive chapter on accoutrements (bayonets, tools, cartridge pouches) further enhances its value.

• The Brown Bess by Erik Goldstein and Stuart Mowbray (Mowbray, Woonsocket, RI, 2010) is a study guide to fourteen models of the Brown Bess. Crystal‐clear color photographs show disassembled guns and locks in their original condition, and detailed comments help collectors determine purity and authenticity—essential given the cannibalization that took place in the field and arsenals during and after the period of use.

For many years, underhammer percussion single‑shot pistols were regarded as only moderately interesting and similar to many other guns made in New England from the 1830s to the 1860s. Information was limited to Herschel C. Logan’s Underhammer Guns (1960), which provided only an overview.

Nicholas L. Chandler, a collector of underhammer firearms for some 50 years, has compiled extensive information in Early American Underhammer Firearms on the Ruggles brothers, Fordyce and Adin—first makers of these pistols in Stafford, Connecticut. Fordyce Ruggles was granted the first American patent for a percussion firearm in 1826, a fact I hadn’t known. As Chandler notes, “It was a uniquely American design that could be made by any competent mechanic—not just professional gunmakers. Ruggles‑style guns were simple and sturdy, a triumph of ‘Yankee ingenuity’ that included many ‘firsts,’ including the first use of cast‑steel barrels.”

Although the inventors didn’t get rich, their pistols provided an affordable, reliable alternative to European imports. Many makers copied the Ruggles patent, leading to countless variations and “improvements,” which makes these pistols a fascinating collecting niche. Chandler’s narrative flows like a story, highlighting relationships among Connecticut and Massachusetts makers. The book’s production quality is excellent, with detailed, full‑size color illustrations throughout. It’s obvious that Chandler’s long passion and research have paid off—this is a must for any gun collector, whether a beginner or looking to broaden their interests.