Both a firearms reference and regional history From the prelude to the American Revolution until the aftermath of the Civil War, independent gunsmiths and gun retailers thrived throughout the colony and then the state of New Hampshire. These were small operations, usually ranging from one to 15 or 20 employees. Likely the most prolific New Hampshire gunmaker of the period, David Hall Hilliard, made around 3,000 guns over the course of about 35 years. Along with excellent-quality firearms, Hilliard also built cabinets and cooking stoves. He sold medicine, made small loans, and repaired carriages. His shop was his family farm. Gun collectors will enjoy hundreds of photographs showing more than 100 antique pistols and long guns in detail, but the author's research has extended far beyond the guns themselves. The manuscript is organized by gunmakers, and retailers' names in alphabetical order.

Entries include biographical information about individuals, and descriptions of historical locations and events. The text provides an unexpected insight into life in a small state, a long time ago.