Firearms, Traps, and Tools of the Mountain Men (Paperback)

~ Carl P. Russell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This encyclopedic guide to the equipment of the trappers and fur traders who opened the Old West is a unique reference work that can be classified either as history or as archaeology. It describes and discusses hundreds of iron artifacts—rifles, shotguns, hatchets, axes, knives, traps, and miscellaneous tools—used by the mountain men from the early 1800s to the mid 1840s.

Thirty years’ research went into the writing of this book. In addition to examining the diaries and letters of the trappers themselves, and the business records of fur-trading companies, the author also tracked down the records and catalogs of the gunsmiths, ironmongers, and other manufacturers who supplied the early traders. He observed most of the surviving artifacts, identified their makers, and traced the evolution of the styles and designs of the weapons and tools, usually from European origins.

Illustrated with over 400 drawings, the book begins with a useful background history of the western fur trade. Among the sections that will appeal to special groups of readers are chapters on firearms and blacksmithing and an appendix on the “Historic Objects as Sources of History.”

Product Details

• Paperback: 474 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press (August 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826304656
• ISBN-13: 978-0826304650
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #524,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy with confidence!!!!, May 7, 2007

By	Laura Babcock "Irish cream" (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Russell has done exhaustive work on this subject and this book is a must have for anyone interested in the Mountain Men and fur trade era.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mountain Men Lifestyles and Tools, September 8, 2008

By	Skip W. (Republic of Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Loaded with information that you typically will not find elsewhere. This would also make a great book for someone looking for wilderness survival skills. This is also a great book for identifying early frontier tools and equipment. Carl Russel has a real winner here. If this genre of information appeals to you then get this book and learn about life in the frontier days..

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable resource, May 11, 2000

By	Concerned Parent "Concerned Parent" - See all my reviews

This book is chucked full of great fur trade information. It has many, many line drawings and could only be better with a collection of photos of actual artifacts.

If you are a fan of the Rocky Mountain fur trade era of the early 19th century like I am, you will find this book to be a valuable resource.