You are here: Home > Publishing Research Press Digest 2025 by David Minshall (Editor)(Research Press, ISBN 979-8300794262) The military smooth-bore flintlock musket and round ball ammunition saw general issue well into the 19th century, finally being supplanted by the percussion rifle firing a hollow based self-expanding bullet. This volume explores rifle development during this remarkable period, commencing with a chronological history of the British service rifle (1800-1870). D.W. Bailey’s analysis of ‘The Much Maligned Brunswick’ follows. Lieut.-Col. Lane Fox’s paper of 1858 highlights the views and conflicting opinions of those seeking to improve the rifle in the mid-19th century, while W.S. Curtis…

You are here: Home > Marksmanship > Military Marksmanship Source: Chambers's Journal, 29 January 1859 'Pickets' versus Bullets > Ball Practice > Morale Benefits THE old regulation-musket, known in the army by the affectionate sobriquet of 'Brown Bess,' would sometimes, though not always, carry a bullet with a certain degree of precision about a hundred yards; but beyond that very moderate distance, no one, however expert, could make sure of hitting even a barn-door; the aim of the individual who pulled the trigger; supposing that the state of his nerves permitted him to take aim at all - which a very distinguished general, not very…

You are here: Home > Research > Hex Bore Source: The Times, London, UK, 13 September 1870 To The Editor Of The Times Sir, Permit me to make an appeal through your columns against the arming of our troops and Volunteers with short-range rifles, whether of the Snider-Enfield or any other pattern. Other nations are rapidly abandoning their use, and are arming their troops with long-range rifles. The supply of the more powerful weapon to our own troops has already been too long delayed. It may be well to mention that the Snider-Enfield is as a large-bore rifle, firing a bullet .577in. in diameter. To give…