Book about 19th century firearms?

[jnojr]

Who can recommend me a good book!

I'm not looking for an enormous encyclopedia that covers every minute variation of every bizarre model ever produced I'd be happy to read about the more well-known guns and the progression from flintlock to caplock to cartridge, and the different revolvers and such.

 

[Jim K]

As you probably know, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of books covering firearms of that era, often in excrutiating detail. But what you may want is one of the "coffee table books" with good color illustrations and general descriptions. Few cover only that period, though, usually extending both ways.

I am thinking of something like The Illustrated Book of Guns, by David Miller, which was published in England and covers a lot of ground. It is usually available as (to use the British term) "remaindered" stock, at near giveaway prices. Experts will find some errors, along with a poor organization (mainly by alphabetic order) and lack of dating, but it may be what you want.

Jim

 

[Onmilo]

Firearms of the Old West 1803-1865
Firearms of the Old West 1866-1894
Garavaglia/Worman

These two volume cover about all the popular designs from the 19th century except bolt rifles used by the European Militaries.
Since so many different types of firearms were used during westward expansion by immigrants from all over the world you will get a pretty good understanding of what was popular worldwide during this period in time.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Here's one that I recommend if you want detailed description of every step of the firearm from the development of gunpowder through metalic cartridges. It was last updated in 1910, so it essentially stops there, but for a history of guns in one book, it's great. Based on the author's name, you can tell it provides a great deal of information on shotgun development.


The Gun and It's Development by W.W. Greener.

From the Publisher
First published in Great Britain in 1881 and subsequently revised nine times between that date and 1910, The Gun and Its Development traces the fascinating history of weaponry from the obscure, ancient origins of the slingshot and the bow and continuing on to the invention of the crossbow, possibly around 1000 A.D.; the introduction of gunpowder into Europe in the 14th century; the development of sporting and military guns over the centuries thereafter; and the rise of modern, factory-mass-produced firearms in the early 20th century. Individual chapters cover early to modern handguns; gunpowder ignition methods from fuses and flintlocks to percussion fulminates; shotguns; hammerless guns; ejector guns; the history of the firearms industry; manufacturing methods and their development in Britain, America, and elsewhere; how to use and handle different types of guns; ballistics; the development of rifling and smokeless powder; and much more. Copiously illustrated with photographs and marvelous engravings, The Gun and Its Development is the classic, authoritative reference work on the subject, certain to be of great interest to marksmen, hunters, gun collectors, and anyone interested in military or industrial history. (6 x 9, 846 pages, illustrations, charts) William Wellington Greener (1834-1921) was a world-renowned expert on the history of guns, and a pioneer in both the development of modern firearms-especially choke barrels for shotguns-and in the metallurgy and machining processes used in their manufacture.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781585747344&itm=1

 

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

jnojr,

Another good choice is The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 19th Century Firearms by Frederick Myatt. While this book is out of print, you can find used copies.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickire