Thomas F. Moore is a retired mechanical engineer and viticulture instructor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His interest in history and muzzle loading dates back to his father who built and collected muzzle loading rifles, pistols and accoutrements. This is his second book on early American gunmakers. James B. Whisker is professor emeritus [political science] from West Virginia University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. He retired in 2005 after 40 years teaching at the collegiate level and has written extensively on the history of gunmaking in the United States.