Howdy,

Seems that I keep having to log in again so will try this once more! I am trying to find a book about the equipment and accoutrements that the buffalo hunters used for reloading their single shot rifles like the Sharps. For example, what tools did they use for reloading cartridges, sizeing newly cast bullets, or did they paper patch them? What did they use for measuring powder, how did they carry things like caps, powder etc. In other words, all aspects of the care and "feeding" of their rifles. I already have some very good books about single shot rifles and what is needed and used by todays shooters, but I have been unable to find a book about the early hunters and the gear that they needed and used. 

Any help that someone could give me in finding such a book would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,
longrangehunter

It may take a bit of hunting but you want to find a copy of " The Great Buffalo Hunt" by Wayne Gard, Kansas U. press, about 1950. This book has been out of print for some time but you should be able to score at least a paperback edition. This is probably the definative work on the subject dealing with everything from the govt. policies that led to the 13 year decimation of the great herds, the personalities, the arms, life on the plains, the indian battles, even the beginning of the chemical industry that sprang up in it's aftermath. All in all it is a great historical treatise.

Did you hear of the "Encyelopedia of hunters and skinners".There two volumes out, a-d and e-h i think.Very dry reading, but you would learn a lot about it. Colornel Meyers book is fun to read, but from what i've read latly it's like the book on Earp-Made up from whole cloth and stories he heard,  in other works fiction.Some of the things he said and done are impossable, no 3-1/4" Sharps cartridges were made until the 1885 winchester came out, not in the 1870's.

SPG has been publishing some really great buffalo hunters stories in his quarterly magazine. I sure have enjoyed them. Jerry

Quote:

Ken,
Jerry was referring to Steve Garbe's quarterly magazine "Black Powder Cartridge News".  More info here: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Doug Nelson

The Billy Dixon info is quite interesting as well. He was one of the hunters involved in the famous fight at Adobe Walls involving the Apache's. This is where the supposed shot took place of some 1500 yards with a Sharps that took an Indian trumpeter off his horse that time and again kept rallying attacks on the hunters holed up in a single buliding. The battle is also the subject of a chapter in the Gard book....fascinating reading.