I agree, the stats for those hand crafted items should be visible somewhere ingame. Dunno why they decided to do it that way instead of a normal shop. But then I don't know why they did most of the strange things they did with this game.
As for the items, I currently have distributed amongst me and my companions:
Black Armor: Arm. 58/36, Str. 13
Mirror Armor: Arm. 59/20, Str. 13
Armor: Arm. 58/21, Str. 13
Yushman: Arm. 51/21, Str. 11
Armet: Arm. 62, Str. 14
Noble Helmet: Arm. 53, Str. 11
Morion: Arm. 50, Str. 10
Tatar Helmet: Arm. 47, Str. 10
Reiter Helmet: Arm. 52, Str. 11
European Musket: Dam. 97, Acc. 97, Spd. 28, Str. 9
Turkish Musket: Dam. 103, Acc. 92, Spd. 26, Str. 9
Double Barreled Dutch Pistol: Dam. 85, Acc. 85, Spd. 43, Str. 8
Double Barreled Miqulet Pistol: Dam. 80, Acc. 80, Spd. 43, Str. 8
Double Barreled Dutch Carbine: Dam. 80, Acc. 80, Spd. 25, Str. 9
Bow: Dam. 27, Acc. 93, Spd. 90, PwDr. 6
Damascus Steel Saber: Swing, Dam. 32, Spd. 93, Rng. 90, Str. 9
Czekan: Swing, Dam. 29, Spd. 79, Rng. 70, Str. 13
Mace (Actually 2H Axe), Swing, Dmg. 36, Spd. 80, Rng. 120, Str. 12
Rapier, Thrust, Dmg. 30, Spd. 106, Rng. 100, Str. -
Don't bother with the horse merchant, the horses from the marketplace trader are often better and cheaper. Another of those strange decisions. Some items are missing, for example 2H weapons.
Hope the list helps some of the more indecisive players.
As for my tip: Go for the Czekan. That Hammer is devastating to everything armored, though pretty short and thus a bit harder to use from horse. So if you like to trample down your enemies like a sissy, secure on your horse, take the saber. ^^
As for your recruiting: The Commander takes about 3 days to ready the men you ordered. Come back then and then chosse the "I came to recruit some men" option in the dialogue window.