Gunmakers of Illinois, 1683-1900 Volume I
By Curtis L. Johnson
200 pages, illustrated, hardcover: $50.00

Reviewed by Bill Scurlock

    An addition to publisher George Shumway's unique Longrifle Series, Gunmakers of Illinois, 16831900, was over 25 years in the making. Author Curtis L. Johnson began collecting Illinois guns and information about Illinois gunsmiths in 1968 when he was shown a locally mace, 19th century rifle.
    It was then that he realized that there had been gunmakers working "right here at home, not just 'out east.'" In fact Johnson discovered that Illinois played an important role in early America's firearms trade, serving the local settlers and helping to outfit those heading west.
    Gunmakers of Illinois, 1683-1900 is a three-volume work. This first volume includes listings for 456 Illinois gunsmiths, those whose last names begin with letters A through F. This book contains a wealth of genealogical information along with 364 illustrations of guns, gunsmiths and shooters from Illinois. Chapters include: "History and Evolution of Gunmaking in Illinois," "Types and Styles," "Target Shooting among the Pioneers," "Bench-Rest Target Shooting, 'Forty and Eighty Rod Guns,"' "The Schuetzen Target Rifle, Its Use and Its Makers," "Shotguns and Shotgunning" and "Illinois Gunsmiths and Guns." In addition there is a section on Illinois county evolution, a bibliography and an index of names.
    Historians and students of American guns and gunsmithing will appreciate this new resource of information on a heretofore neglected area of the country.
Please add $5.00 for shipping and handling. George Shumway Publisher, 3900 Deen Run Lane, York, PA 17402.