Firearms History

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History	Historical development of firearms.
	Sketch Of The Progress Of Invention In Offensive Arms - Summarises the progress of invention weapons used by an individual. Touching on the javelin and the bow the article then focuses on firearms used either in hunting or war.[1852] What Is A Revolver? - A brief overview of firearms development, including discussion on the Minié bullet and needle gun. Following on is a review of Colonel Colt's revolver and commentary on his London factory. [1853] Long-Range Rifle-Fire - An overview of the development of the rifle in British military service from 1680 to 1885, and the impact on long-range shooting. Some comment on machine-guns. [1885] Old English Rifles - A short history c.1800-1886. Includes rifle specifications. [1886] Long Range Shooting - An historical perspective from the earliest times down to the late 19th Century.
Small Arms Trials	Small arms trials and comparative testing, including military investigation and reporting for the adoption of new firearms.
	Great Britain Trial Of Breech-Loading Revolvers - Trial report of tests carried out at Woolwich Arsenal, England, comparing the Adams and Colt breech-loading revolvers. [1869] United States of America Trial of Breech Loading Rifles for the Army - Trials held at Springfield to determine a breech loader best adapted for US Army use. [1866] Breech-Loaders In The United States - Conclusions of the board, set up in the US in 1866, to investigate and report on the various systems of breech-loading small arms. [1867] .45-70 at Two Miles - The Sandy Hook Tests of 1879. U.S. long range rifle fire testing.
Firearms	The following section is a collection of articles covering firearms of different nations. Bold links are to a nations index page where substantial collections are available. Pictured right is a Martini-Henry rifle.
Austria	Lindner's Conversion The Austrian Army - Information on Austria's rearmament while at war with Prussia. Discussion of Lindner's system of converting muzzle to breech-loaders plus brief comment on the proposed adoption of the Remington carbine. [1866] The Austrian Converted Muzzle-Loader - Details of Lindner's system of converting muzzle to breech-loaders. Includes reference to the American Civil War and details of the projectile used. [1866] Werndl Austria - Austria's decision to adopt the Werndl breech-loading rifle. Discussion of the rifle and factory, including notes on additional contracts undertaken by the factory. [1867]
France	Chassepot The French Chassepot - A brief illustrated description of the rifle's operation. [1867]
Great Britain	The British Firearms collection of articles spans arms from the beginning to the end of the 19th Century. Resource lists for some arms are also included providing valuable reference information to aid researchers.
Italy	Vetterli The Vetterli Rifle - Illustrated description of its operation, and statistical data. [1886]
Prussia	Dreyse Needle-Gun The Needle-Gun and Cartridge - A description of the gun and cartridge invented by Dreyse, and the training of the Prussian soldier in its use. [1866]
United States of America	Colt The Colt Breech-Loading Revolver - A description of the conversion of the muzzle-loading Colt into a breech-loader. [1869] Jennings Jennings's Rifle - A short illustrated description of the directions for rifle's use. [1852]
Gunpowder, Ignition Systems & Ammunition	Anecdotes and articles relating to gunpowder, firearms ignition systems through the ages and the development and history of breech loading ammunition.
	Gunpowder - Some anecdotes concerning gunpowder from the 18th Century "Gentleman's Magazine" Drams or Drachms? - Problems in the measurement of gun powder charges resulting from the use of different terminologies. The Saltpetre-Man - Correspondence relating to the role of the 17th Century saltpetre-man. [1853] Manufacture of Percussion Caps - A brief review of the manufacturing process. [1858] The Copper Percussion Cap - Biography of Joshua Shaw, Artist and Inventor, and the early history of the copper percussion cap. [1869] Eley's Patent Wire Cartridge - The term 'Cartridge' in the context of the muzzle loading era did not always mean 'a complete round with powder'. In shotgun terms, it meant a package containing the shot charge and possibly the wadding.

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