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Below you will see a list of the books on CW arms that I own; do any of you have titles to add? I'm trying to put together a list of books I need.
Barry, Craig L., The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy-Lock, Stock and Barrel, Watchdog Press, 2006.
Coates, Earl J. & McAulay, John D., Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles, Thomas Publications, 1996.
Coates, Earl J. & Thomas, Dean S., An Introduction to Civil War Small Arms, Thomas Publications, 1990.
Edwards, William B., Civil War Guns, The Stackpole Company, 1962.
Fuller, Claud E., The Rifled Musket, The Stackpole Company, 1958.
Fuller, Claud E., Springfield Shoulder Arms 1795-1865, S&S Firearms, 1986.
Houze, Herbert G., Colt Rifles & Muskets from 1847-1870, Krause Publications, 1996.
McAulay, John D., Rifles of the U.S. Army 1861-1906, Andrew Mowbray Publishers, 2003.
Reilly, Robert M., United States Military Small Arms 1816-1865, Eagle Press, 1970.
Smith, Graham, Civil War Weapons, KP Books, 2005.
Sword, Wiley, Firepower from Abroad The Confederate Enfield and the LeMat Revolver, Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1986.
Sword, Wiley, Sharpshooter: Hiram Berdan, his famous Sharpshooters and their Sharps Rifles, Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1988.
Whisker, James A., Hartzler, Daniel D. & Yantz, Larry W., Firearms from Europe, Tom Rowe Books, 2002.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
I recently picked up a nice copy of the 1994 edition of With the Western Sharpshooters by Lorenzo Barker.
Would that be a fit?
Just the books, just the books. I own a Miroku M1861 Springfield, M1841 Euroarms made into a Colt Conversion and I just received a Loyalist Arms Lorenz M1854. Used to own a Armi-Sport & Parker Halle P53 Enfield... The unit loaner Armi-Sport Rifled M1842 is in my basement alongside a friends Armi-Sport P53 while he is at Basic Training.
My father was a gun smith for 20 years so I grew up w/ the smell of woodsmoke and gunoil... guess it runs through my veins a bit.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Shane,
I don't know if you've read it, but one I would recommend is "Lee's Sharpshooters" by Major W. S. Dunlop. Dunlop commanded the battalion of sharpshooters for McGowan's Brigade from its inception in 1864 until the surrender.
The book is useful, not so much as a correct picture of army life and events of the late-War period, as it is for the details of the weapons training of the soldiers, as well as the comparisons of the various rifled-muskets and rifles that they experimented with in the early days of the unit. While practicing at 500 to 900 yards, they made very interesting observations that I've not found in too many first-hand accounts. My copy is in a box somewhere in storage, so I am not able to transcribe any of it for you, but I believe you can still purchase it. (though probably not at your local box bookstore)
Also, I have a question for you. In your research into period firearms, have you ever come across the manual written by Cadmus Wilcox, "Rifles and Rifle Practice." Dunlop makes mention of it in his book, as does Brent Nosworthy in "Bloody Crucible of Courage." Apparently, it was written while Wilcox was an instructor at West Point, and it was the first American book of its kind. I've searched for years to see if I could put my hands on it, but have had no luck. Maybe I just need to contact the school to see if they have a copy of it.
Just a shot in the dark...
Cheers and Fairwinds,
Brett Silver
Brett - I happen to own a copy of Wilcox's book. BTW, if you're at The Citadel in Charleston, their library has one you can read. Since you're in Richmond, you may want to check with the Virginia State Library or Virginia Historical Society.
I'd like to add to the reading list of gunbooks the following:
William Edwards - Civil War Guns
Joe Bilby - Civil War Firearms (good if you're a shooter)
John M. Murphy and Howard M. Madaus: Confederate Rifles and Muskets
C. H. Roads - The British Soldiers' Firearms
James Severn - Colt Firearms
Roy Marcot - Hiram Berdan and His Sharpshooters (good info on the Sharps rifle)
Get ye to the Virginia State Library on Capitol Hill (Richmond)
Wilcox, Cadmus M. (Cadmus Marcellus), 1824-1890.:
Rifles and rifle practice [microform] : an elementary treatise upon theory of rifle firing, explaining causes of inaccuracy of fire, and manner of correcting it, with descriptions of infantry rifles of Europe and U.S., their balls and cartridges..
You don't have to go to Charleston to read it like I did. It's right at home and if things haven't changed, parking is free at the library for library patrons.
BTW, I have Dunlop's book (Morningside Press Reprint) and it's good. Fred Ray takes over where Dunlop left off and fills in a lot of gaps. His emphasis is on the sharpshooter battalions in the Army of Northern Virginia.
Back on the issue of gun books, I'd like to add:
Howard Blackmore. British Military Firearms, 1650-1850.
John Anderson Morrow. Confederate Whitworth Sharpshooter. Great pictures of the Whitworth to accompany the text.
Robert Ball. Springfield Armory Shoulder Weapons, 1795-1968.
Well, Johann, now you've done it. Looks like the recommendations would double your library. Can I come listen while you make your presentation to Mrs. Steele?
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
May I suggest, "Civil War Breedh Loading Rifles" by John D. McAulay. In addition, don't overlook the helpful detailed period information that can be found in the "Ordnance Manual." Even info on "Restoring Unserviceable Powder."
There are a number of fine reprints out there.
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