Famous Nineteenth Century Gunsmiths

Famous Nineteenth Century Gunsmiths

Gunsmiths were essential to the nineteenth century American West. While writing The Gunsmith’s Bride, I came across interesting information about the most well-known American gunsmiths (and perhaps, armorers).

Key elements that made their way into my novella are the multi-generational family knowledge of the craft and training of their sons, the prevalence and “household word” of the Colt Peacemaker, and the Hawken rifle. Take a quick look at history’s memory of these three popular gun-makers.

Pioneer Day: Utah’s Victorian History

Pioneer Day: Utah’s Victorian History

July 24th is Pioneer Day in the state of Utah, commemorating the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley (the first permanent Euro-American settlers) in 1847. This state-wide celebration includes everything from parades to rodeos, fireworks to pageants, Pioneer/Frontier clothing to Native American Inter-Tribal Pow-Wows, to covered wagon reenactments and picnics. Pioneer Day is inherent to Utah’s Victorian-Era, Old West history.