Textbook of Small Arms????

[Edward Horton]

I’m thinking of purchasing the book “The Textbook of Small Arms” as they have reprints selling at reasonable prices.

Question, is there any difference between the newer books and the older originals, meaning are the newer books abridge with less information or are they the same in content as the older originals.

My main interest is any information on the Enfield Rifle, testing and development.

Thank You

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

If only you'd asked earlier Ed. I put a 1929 original on Ebay, dated and issued to the Technical Library at ROF Woolwich. Didn't fetch much either!

We have a couple of copies at work so if you get a copy, I'll loan you one to compare it with

[Thunderbox]

The reprint is a faithful reproduction of the original - including the fold-out charts and inner cover data.

[Edward Horton]

The reprint is a faithful reproduction of the original - including the fold-out charts and inner cover data.

Actually Thunderbox your comments about the book sparked my interest and if I can misquote someone…

"I'm not sure I understand everything I don't know about this" (Enfield Rifle)
I hate it when you touché me with the ToSA



I just ordered it for $33.00 w/free shipping at Amazon.com

[Jc5]

Anyone know if the 1894 edition is available? It was titled "Text Book for Military Small Arms and Ammunition."

I have the 1929 Text Book of Small Arms reprint (it's excellent), and also PDFs of the 1887, 1905, and 1915 Treatises on Ammunition. They all have excellent technical information.

My interest in the 1894 "Text Book for Military Small Arms and Ammunition" is purely historical: I need to know what the "state of knowledge" was on such matters in 1894. Specifically, I want to review the section on the Lee Metford rifle, and any details of its manufacture. I want to know if the 1894 edition has a section that is equivalent to the section in the 1929 manual called "Outline of Manufacture and Inspection of the Service Rifle" (pp. 49-58). I'm also interested to see how they compared the Lee Metford to the service rifles of other nations of the time.

If cannot buy, borrow, or copy the 1894 text, then perhaps someone could scan or copy just those pertinent sections for me?

There was a review of some "Text Book" reprints in issue #9 of Arms & Militaria Collector, and they list the 1894 edition in the heading, implying that it was reprinted, but general opinion on another forum is that it was not reprinted.

I appreciate any info or leads.
Thanks!

[Badger]

I have the 1929 Text Book of Small Arms reprint (it's excellent), and also PDFs of the 1887, 1905, and 1915 Treatises on Ammunition. They all have excellent technical information.

With thanks to Ed Horton the 1905 and 1915 Treatise's are available on-line in the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)

1905 Treatise on Ammunition (click here)

1915 Treatise on Ammunition (click here)

Regards,
Badger

[louthepou]

I just started glancing at both Treatises. I find this absolutely fascinating. Thanks a whole lot Ed and Badger. I wonder how many hours I'll spend reading these - perfect bedtime reading

Lou

[Edward Horton]

I’m going to try and give Lou insomnia but I have to know who holds the computer monitor by the bed Lou during your bed time reading?

Would the moderators please notify Badger to add this book to the Lee Enfield On-line Knowledge Libraries (Index of Articles)
Thank You
Ed Horton


Ammunition Pocket Book 1924