Peacemakers

and screen - and ultimately becoming among the most prized objects of Americana to collectors and museums.

In this unique tribute to the West, R.L. Wilson has produced the definitive and most lavishly illustrated book ever on the weaponry of the West and its colorful and intriguing users.

In 320 full-color and 215 black-and-white illustrations, with in-depth text and captions, the broad range of arms and users is detailed. Beginning with Native American primitive weaponry, The Peacemakers presents a comprehensive panorama from Lewis and Clark and their historic expedition, through subsequent trailblazing explorers, traders and mountain men, to the Army, the gold and silver miners, gunfighters, gamblers, outlaws, frontier madams and their soiled doves, to peace officers, cowboys, and ranchers, as well as sodbusters, shopkeepers and the agents of Wells Fargo, hunters and gentlemen sportsmen, Wild West showmen and -women, to the Western stars of stage, screen, radio, and television. A Final chapter provides insights and revelations on collecting arms and related treasures of the frontier.

Designed as a companion volume to the bestselling Winchester: An American Legend and Colt: An American Legend, The Peacemakers matches those award-winning books with a fresh and breathtaking look at the extraordinary variety of Western arms. In contrast to the primitive Indian weapons are the mechanical marvels created by Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Marlin, Sharps, Henry Deringer, Hawken, the U.S. Armories and subcontractors, and small-shop private gun makers, as well as the ubiquitous Bowie knife, and more - many elegantly embellished, some even by Tiffany & Co.

No book of the West has been so thoroughly researched to produce an unmatched mother lode of exquisitely designed color illustrations. Drawing upon the talents of gifted photographers, and upon archives of period images, the author has assembled the most dramatic and captivating visual collection of historic and priceless Western arms and their users ever published.

The original color photography and the historic period photographic images and art (Bodmer, Miller, Bierstadt, Catlin, Remington, Jackson, and more) and film and TV stills create a new and comprehensive look at the West.

These extraordinary, often beautiful illustrations also include hundreds of objects of memorabilia that have their own role in the saga: Indian artifacts, holsters and cartridge belts, chaps, saddles, boots, and countless other leather goods, military uniforms, gambling equipment, law-enforcement badges, headgear, clothing, advertising art and trade cards, show-business memorabilia, and much more. Even frontier architecture is frequently illustrated.

Over 250 private collectors museums, and historical societies cooperated in the authors' far-reaching research. Foremost among these sources is the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, which exhibits an unmatched collection of arms and accoutrements. Over sixty illustrations were taken of specific arms and memorabilia displayed by that remarkable institution.

The books large format presents most of these arms in exquisite close-ups accompanied by details of their history and significance. The book's organization provides a unique overview of the original West and the fictional West, the latter serving to keep alive the spirit of romance and adventure. A selected biography and detailed index complete the contents of this landmark tribute to an American Phenomenon: The West.