American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III: Flintlock Alterations and Muzzleloading Percussion Shoulder Arms, 1840-1865

If you collect antique military issued firearms, this book is an absolute must. There are three volumes. This book covers the firearms issued during the American Civil War.

Excellent breadth of coverage and an amazing amount of detail. The text can be a little dry, but this is not the kind of book that you purchase expecting it to be a page turner. If you have any interest in the topic at all, buy this book. It has already paid off for me; after reading it I recognized a known Confederate conversion of an 1840 musket at an auction. I also recognized a Whitney made musket that had been altered to appear to be a Richmond rifle-musket. I walked out with a real Confederate used musket at a fraction of the price another fellow paid for his fake. The book doesn't actually cover Confederate arms, but the info is so complete that you end up learning so much more than what you would expect. This book gives you the details you need to know to be able to make rational purchases.

Any collector of U S military arms knows the work of George Moller. His books are a must for anyone with an interest in the subject. This third volume in the series covers the percussion muzzle loaders and the flintlock alterations to percussion, the era from the 1840's through the end of the Civil War. Especially valuable is the extensive chapter on the U S Model 1841 Rifle also known as tthe Mississippi Rifle.The old saying goes, "buy the book before you buy the gun. This book is a must! His first two volumes cover the flintlock era up to the early 1840's. These first two have long been out of print in hard copy and are expensive. They have been reissued in soft cover.

in-depth and beyond!

This third volumn was way too long in coming. This volumn is a must for all serious hyistorians/collectrs! I have the previous volumns, and although I have not had an opprotunity to read the new one; if it is anything like volumn two it will be a joy to read.

If you every wondered if any 1803 rifles served in the civil war, where those percussion 1817 Derringer rifles came from or have any other odd questions on US percussion shoulder arms this volume answers as far as humanly possible.

The amount of detail about each item discussed is unbelievable. A must have volume for anyone interested in this period of US firearms use and development.

Been waiting for this book for a long time. A very detailed book. I collect muskets and recomend this book. Can't wait for vol. 4.