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.
Author: Research Press
Research Press publishing
Research Press has published several books via Amazon, has a free download Journal available, and a library of free download pdf files.
Long Range Rifles, Bisley, October 2024
The Long Range Rifles (LRR) Branch of the MLAGB had their final competitions of the year at Bisley on 25/26 October 2024. A good day shooting was finished off nicely with the Annual Dinner and Prize Giving. Friday was a practice day shooting at 300 and 500 yards. Saturday there were two 600 yard matches, the Rigby Cup and the Whitworth Cup – the former is for muzzle loading target rifles, and the latter only open to hexagonally bored Whitworth rifles.
Library Updates – October 2024
There have been three recent Library updates, covering British gunmakers and antique firearms conservation. The author, Brian Godwin, is an established authority on 16th and 17th century firearms and ephemera and has published numerous articles on the subject. He was the National Trust Adviser on Firearms, and has catalogued the Trusts collections of historic firearms.
Conservation and Maintenance
These articles address maintenance and restoration of firearms, or document specific projects.
Shooting with Spectacles
In the 19th century shooting glasses were used and were accepted by the ruling authorities in not only the Volunteer Movement but elsewhere such as the authorities at Hythe. In turn it can safely be assumed they were allowed to be used in NRA (of Great Britain) matches at Wimbledon.
The Irish Team sail, bound for the USA
The Irish rifle team journey to the USA began on Sunday 6 September 1874. The party arrived in New York harbour about noon on 16 September and were greeted by a deputation consisting of members of the National Rifle Association and Amateur Rifle Club.
American Team Trials, 1874
In December 1873 the Amateur Rifle Club (ARC) of New York accepted, on behalf of American riflemen, a challenge from Irish riflemen for a long range rifle competition. The ARC appeal for native-born Americans seeking to be considered for the team was published nationwide. When the 1 July 1874 deadline for submissions was reached, none but members of the ARC had expressed interest.
The New York Times, 12 July 1874, published details of the trials for the initial selection of US riflemen to form the team and reserve that would compete against the Irish riflemen at Creedmoor during the coming September.
Sharps Firearms, Model 1878 “Borchardt Patent” Rifles and other Sharps Models
This final Volume IV of this series on the complete history of Sharps Firearms is final book of the four-volume set and covers all of the various Sharps Model 1878 rifles and carbines under the Borchardt patent, as well as the line-throwing guns, double-barreled shotguns, and Sharps & Hankins rifles and carbines. Also discussed are the modern Sharps firearms that have reached their own special collector and shooters’ interest.
American Team Selection and the Amateur Rifle Club
In March 1874 the Amateur Club circulated an appeal to the riflemen of America. This was in anticipation that they would receive from the whole nation sufficient support to enable them to produce a creditable team to compete against a team from Ireland. The appeal was published in newspapers throughout the country. Native-born Americans interested in rifle shooting, and desiring to be considered for the team, were requested to forward scores on or before the 1st day of July 1874. Despite the publicity, the renowned ‘riflemen of the plains’ failed to materialise.
Long Range Muzzle Loading, Bisley, June 2024
A splendid weekend of long range muzzle loading at Bisley, with the MLAGB and the Long Range Rifles Branch! Shooting at 600, 900 and 1,000 yards. Long range shooting with the muzzle loading rifle is a challenge – there’s a lot that a changeable wind can do to deflect the heavy lead bullet from the centre of the target!