author
Wm. B. (William B.) Harrison
Best known as the co-author of a detailed 19th-century gunsmithing handbook, this practical writer helped preserve a working knowledge of firearm making and repair for American readers. His surviving reputation rests less on personal fame than on the usefulness of the craft manual attached to his name.
1 Audiobook
The gunsmith's manual : A complete handbook for the American gunsmith, being a practical guide to all branches of the trade
by J. Parish (James Parish) Stelle, Wm. B. (William B.) Harrison
About the author
Very little biographical information about Wm. B. (William B.) Harrison is readily confirmed from reliable online sources. What can be verified is that he is credited by Project Gutenberg as a co-author of The gunsmith's manual: A complete handbook for the American gunsmith, being a practical guide to all branches of the trade.
That book was originally published in New York by Jesse Haney & Co. in 1883 and lists J. Parish Stelle alongside Wm. B. Harrison. Its focus is firmly practical: gunsmithing, firearm repair, manufacturing methods, and the wider history and mechanics of firearms. The work's long afterlife in reprints and digital editions suggests that Harrison's contribution has remained valuable to readers interested in craftsmanship, trade knowledge, and historical technical writing.
Because trustworthy biographical details about Harrison himself are scarce, he is best understood through the book he helped create: a hands-on guide written for working gunsmiths and serious learners rather than for literary celebrity. That gives his authorship a quiet appeal—useful, direct, and rooted in real-world skill.