Greetings!
I've found the following to be an informative and enjoyable source document: "Hints To Riflemen."
by H.W.S Cleveland, New York: D.Appleton and Co., 1864. Reprinted, 1948 for The New Jersey Arms
Collectors Club.
The author discusses in detail the merits and deficiencies of various Breechloaders in comparison to the
familiar Muzzleloaders, as well as his experiences with several, including the Henry, Spencer, Maynard,
and Colt's ( Root ). Informative and illuminating.
I purchased my first copy a few years ago for under $20; another copy that I had gifted to a friend
was about $30. It's well worth looking for.
Incidentally, another somewhat later book would be A.C. Gould's, "Modern American Rifles", Boston:
Bradlee Whidden. 1892. My copy, reprinted by Thomas G. Samworth, 1946.
ABE Books (booksearch engine) and eBay are both good sources for used books, as I have had great
success with both for "Book Safaris".
M.T.Marfield