DP&G Publications

[ Home ] [ Contents ]

Equipment & Weapons

[ Up ] [ Zulu War & Campaigns pic ] [ Artillery ] [ Fortifications ] [ Uniforms, Badges Colours and Dress Regulations ] [ Regimental Histories ] [ British & Indian Army ] [ Artillery Handbooks ] [ Equipment & Weapons ] [ Naval Ammunition, Ordnance & Equipment ] [ Royal Flying Corps/RAF ] [ Technical Publications ] [ Special Publications ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books on Equipment and Weapons

 

Army Equipment (1860’s)

Never during the history of the British Army has there been an illustrated representation of equipment used by all branches of the services and listing & illustrating examples of their dress, clothing, necessaries ,appointments,rank details,ammunition and all equipment used for all ranks. The “all ranks” is possibly the most important point as Officers has their written Dress Regulations of various dates , this is a collection of publications gives over a short period of the 1860’s a listing & description of the items which would be found being used by the Army of the day, from the way they looked, what tools they used, instruments used in hospitals etc. A true time capsual of documentation of the mid Victorian period. Each plate of illustrations has them either drawn to scale (with the scale on it) or each item has its own dimensions. With over 90% of items described not of “Officer” usage, this provides a unique source of detail for the collector, researcher, modeller, re-enactor etc to see what the post Crimean soldier used wore in his Army life. Each part is bound in matching in maroon buckram cloth with gold leaf lettering on spine & early pattern royal arms badge on cover. A4 size

 

Army Equipment 1865 Part I , Equipment of Cavalry Compiled by Lt. H.M. Hozier .

This is the only detailed publication available on the early period of equipment of The Cavalry Regiments. The illustrations to accompany this part of the series were unfinished when this descriptive portion was finished so, the text was published and due to the number of changes in such a short period the illustrations were never issued.

 

This is the first part of this series(the last part to be published) and covers: Classification of Equipment, Historical Notes on Cavalry, Organization and Composition of Cavalry, British Cavalry, Cavalry Staff, Household Cavalry, Cavalry of the line, Cape Mounted Rifles, Clothing & Necessaries, Arms, Accoutrements, Saddlery , Harness & Stable Necessaries, Bands & Musical Instruments, Ammunition, Books, Forms, Hospital Equipment, Veterinary Equipment, Saddler’s and Saddletree Makers Equipment, Armourer’s Forge, Articles of Musketry Instruction, Camp Equipment, Transport by sea, Tonnage, Marks on Packages & Stores. Full details of all uniform, equipment etc. of Officers & OR’s.

With tables showing the size, weight & cost of the various equipment & items.With 288pp A4 size pages. Cost £ 30 + £5.00 Postage. 1030 gms

 

 

Army Equipment 1864 Part II, Equipment of Artillery. Compiled by Major Miller R.A. V.C.

The illustrations to accompany this part of the series were unfinished when this descriptive portion was finished so, the text was published and due to the Ordnance & Equipment used by the Artillery going through a number of changes in such a short period the illustrations were never issued.

 

This is the largest part of this series and covers: Organization of the Artillery, Personal Equipment, Horse Equipment, Materiel, lists of equipment for Field : 6pd, 9pd, 12pd, 20pd, 40pd Armstrong Guns, 6pd, 9pd, 12pd, 18pd, Smooth-bored guns 12pd 24pd, 32pd Howitzer, 12 & 6pd Rocket Carriages, various wagons & carts, List of Tools,

 

For Garrison Artillery, 110pd, 70pd, 40pd, 10-Inch, 8-Inch, Armstrong Guns, 68pd, 56pd, 42pd, 32pd, 24pd, 18pd, 12pd, 9 & 6pd Guns, 10-Inch, 8-Inch, 5- Inch Howitzers, Carronades, 13, 10 & 8-Inch Mortars,.

 

For The Siege Train, 24pd, 32pd, 8-Inch Guns, 13, 10, 8 ,5 & , 4-Inch Mortars.

With details of all Carriages, Limbers, Rocket Wagons, Ammunition Wagons, platforms, Gyns ets . Smaller items : barrels, boxes, cases, stores, fuzes,shells , fire balls, spherical shot & shells, Camp equipment, Medical & miscellaneous.

With 100’s of tables showing the size, weight & cost of the various equipment & items.

With 444pp A4 size pages. Cost £ 45 + £8.00 Postage. 1.4 Kg

 

Army Equipment Pt. III Royal Engineers Personal Dress & equipment of Officers & all ranks, in addition fully illustrated tool sets for each Trade & skilled branch of the Royal Corps of Engineers at that date(1866) with cost of each item. 83pp ,27 A4 size plates with 7 of Uniform & dress, rest illustrating 100’s tools, all to scale. Cost £30. 860gms

 

Army Equipment Part IV, Equipment of Military Train & Part VI Commissariat Staff Corps Compiled by Lt. H.M. Hozier . Due to the Commissariat Staff Corps Part VI being only a small section both parts have been published together as one book.

 

They cover: Classification of Equipment ,Organization , Composition & Strength, Personal Equipment, Horse Equipment, Ammunition, General Stores, Equipment for Ambulance Wagon, General Service Wagon, Forage Wagon, Tools of Artificers, Hospital Equipment, Veterinary Equipment, Camp Equipment , Transport, Tonnage, Marks on Packages and Stores. In addition Part VI contains: Baker’s, Butcher’s Carpenter’s, Smith’s, Cooper’s, Wheelright’s & Saddle-tree Maker’s, Harness and Collar Makere’s , Bricklayer’s and Mason Equipment. Equipment for Army in the Field.

With a total size of 218pp A4 size pages. Cost £ 30.00.870 gms

 

Army Equipment Pt. V Equipment for Infantry List & details of all equipment used by Officers & all ranks, quantity issued per Battalion, Cost of such items etc. 210pp, 22 A3 size fold out plates. £ 30. 1070gms

 

Army Equipment Pt. VII Hospital Equipment . Personal Dress & equipment for Medical Officers & Army Hospital Corps. Plus hospital equipment, tents, medical chests, instrument cases(with all instruments illustrated & dimensions), Hospital carts, Ambulance wagon, pack saddles, Medical panniers, light operating tables, etc. 112pp, 41 A3 size fold out plates. Cost £ 30. 970gms.

 

Handbook For Military Artificers prepared in the Ordnance College 1899.

Each Tradesman or Artificer in the late Victorian Army would have passed through the Ordnance College to learn their skill in the branch of their chosen trade. During which they would have been issued with this Handbook. Each Trade is covered giving the contents & information of their course, a fold out plate illustrating every tool & item officially issued as part of their tool kit. With all tools in each plate drawn to the same scale, giving the comparison & specification for items issued, each plate having a detailed listing. With 198pp, 156 drawings in text, 23 A3 size pull out scale detailed plans of tools & equipment. Bound in maroon buckram cloth with gold leaf lettering on spine royal arms badge on cover. A4 size . Cost £30. 1070gms

 

Instructions for Armourers (Government of India Army )1911

In the care & repair of small arms, bayonet, sword scabbards, machine guns, tripod mountings and bicycles .A Handbook in the care, repair and stripping of a whole range of equipment of this period. Covering items of the British & Indian Armies with marking of arms by Regiment & Corps for both.

Subjects covered include Webley pistols, Martini-Enfield, Martini- Metford rifles & carbines with bayonet & scabbards, Gardner, Nordenfelt , Maxin & Parapet Machine Guns, sword bayonet, swords etc. In important publications for the arms collector or re-enactor of the period where display & used of arms of this period are used. A4 size, 182pp, 30 scale drawings of arms with their single parts & systems of which 24 plates are A3 size fold out plates. Many of which are true show true cross section engineering drawings/plans with all dimensions and detailed notes. Cost £30. 1070gms.

 

Army Service Corps. Training

Due to the large growth in service & equipment used and supplied by the Corps it was necessary to have a whole range of training manuals and Handbooks for the student on their chosen course of which would represent their service with the Corps. The collection of four parts covered the wide range of skills and knowledge to be part of this branch of the Army. From the basic training, being a member of the Corps (pt 1) giving details of the care of animals, wagons, equipment, drill parades etc. to stores, feed for animals, water supply etc (pt2) Horse Transport(and all other possible animal & wagon use) (pt 3) and finally Mechanical Transport (Steam lorries, Traction engines) being the most advanced mode of transport & supply. Each part is bound in matching maroon buckram cloth with gold leaf lettering on spine & royal arms badge on cover. A4 size . £30 per part.

Army Service Corps. Training Pr . 1 1909 Horse, Wagon, Drill.

It covers foot & mounted drill, stable routine for training & manoeuvres, pack transport, movements by rail & sea, general care & fittings for harness & saddlery , care of horse drawn vehicles, pack transport. Description of transport and ambulance wagons & carts, ceremonial, dress, weights, treatment of injured animals. With 178pp, 16 A4 size plates & 10 A3 size pages of plans of vehicles & harness, 11 B & W photos of harness & equipment. 16 illustrations in text. Included are Amendments dated 1914 which have 51pp, 19 B & W photos and 8 illustrations in the text. 1210gms

 

Army Service Corps. Training Pt . 3 1915 Horse Transport.

It covers various forms of animal transport, saddlery , pack saddlery & harness, military vehicles, description of service vehicles, War Dept stores. Each Military vehicle has a detailed account of its size, weight, method of construction, canvas covers, tools used, care required, cost etc. With subjects illustrated of horse, mule, camel & elephant saddlery & equipment. Giving detailed establishments of Mule, Bullock, Pony & Camel Corps. With 254pp, 27 scale plans of vehicles of which 4 are A3 size pull out, with a further 29 illustrations horse, mule, camel & elephant saddlery & equipment. A gem of information for the animal/transport researcher, modeller, re-enactor. 1070gms . ( Example of this book shown in photograph)

 

 

Army Service Corps. Training Pt . 4 1912 Mechanical Transport

Subjects covered include: the steam engine, the internal combustion engine, transmission systems, mechanical transport vehicles, routine duties, convoys & general instructions, workshop management. With information/drawings & plans giving true cross section engineering drawings with dimensions & detailed notes on Traction engines, steam lorries & wagons also photographs of some of the vehicles themselves produced by : “Lion & Wellington” by Fowlers, “Little Giant” by Tasker & Sons, “Leyland” by Leyland Motors, “Sentinel” by Alley & Maclellan , other manufacture include Charles Burrel , Aveling & Porter, Willis & Stevens, Foden . A very important book for all steam transport collectors & enthusiasts. 1150gms.

 

Mechanical Traction in War for Road Transport With notes on Automobiles generally By Lt. Col. Otfried Layriz (German Army)

This early publication on Military Mechanical Traction provides the reader with the latest (c1900) material on the use of traction engine and other automobiles and their use for military applications in time of war. With additional footnotes and references for their use in the South African War. .

Starting with a general introduction, then a History of Mechanical Traction from the Cugnot’s Locomotive of 1769 to Boydell T.E. used in the Crimean War, then onto 1886. Chapters on: The Automobile without train, as a Traction Engine, attempts to replace the steam motor by other kinds of motors, relation of supply transport by means of Traction Engines to that by field railways, M.R.T. must be in a country before it can be usefully employed in war time.

An Appendix giving a resume of experiments in Mechanical Traction with road locomotives for war purposes from 1875-1900. A very good selection of line drawings & B & W photos showing engine’s, coaches etc. inc. Lord Roberts Armoured Road Train (1899).

 

With 102pp 28 plates with 46 detailed illustrations.A4 size. Bound in maroon buckram, gold leaf lettering & traction eng. badge on cover. Cost £ 25.00. 1.02 Kg.

 

 

 

 

The Rifle-Musket: A Practical Treatise on The Enfield-Pritchett Rifle, recently adopted in the British service.

By Capt. Jervis-White Jervis R.A. Pub. 1854.

This book has a preface, and is in four chapters ,The Musket, The Charge, The Projectiles, The Aim. With a detailed account of the manufacture of the Barrel, Lock, Stock, Ramrod & Bayonet with illustrations. The Charge chapter covers saltpetre, charcoal, sulphur, proportion and incorporating of ingredients , explosive force of gunpowder, then details of the bullet and finally how to use (aim) the rifle with range tables.

A5 size with dark green Balacrome cloth, x + 70pp and 30 Illustrations in the text & historical notes. Price £ 21.00 360gms .

 

 

Military Breech-Loading Rifles (1869)

with detailed notes on the Snider and Martini-Henry Rifles and Boxer Ammunition

by Capt. Majendie & Capt. Browne

This book gives general information on Military Breech-Loaders and Service Arms & Ammunition of this period. It was published to give information for Musketry Instructors who were on courses at the Royal Laboratory Woolwich and other places of instruction as a textbook to back up their notes & instruction. This during a time of changing small arms & its ammunition being introduced in the Army during the 1860’s. A5 size with dark green Balacrome cloth, iii+129pp and 22 Illustrations in the text & 7 plates. Price £ 21.00 370gms .

The Arms and Ammunition of the British Service c1870.

By Major V.D.Majendie R.A.

Author of “A Treatise on Ammunition”, “Breech-Loading Rifles & Ammunition” etc.

 

Based on information in the latest issue of Blue Books, reports, manuals and official documents, this little manual provides the reader , be it of general interest or the military student with the latest developments & introduction of advanced arms & ammunition in the late 1860’s.

Chapters covering the following are included: portable arms, side arms, muzzle-loading small-arms, breech-loading small arms, gunpowder, great guns and their projectiles, smooth bores, rifled guns, and their projectiles, artillery carriages, ballistic instruments .

 

With xii, 132pp, A5 size with 47 ill’s in the text, 2 double fold out pages of listings of all ordnance and ammunition in use at that time both smooth-bore & rifled. Bound in dark green balacrome cloth with silver leaf lettering on spine & garrison gun badge on book cover. Price £ 21 weight 370gms.

 

Evolution of Modern Small Arms (1898) by Marks.

With an introduction by Dr. Christopher Roads.

The author explains how arms worked and evolved giving the British patents to chart this history starting in 1635 . From which he gives an amazing variety of inventions and innovations covering all types of weapons from British rifles, pistols , revolvers Y semi-automatic pistols. This book is A5 size, viii, 170pp with 111 illustrations in the text. Bound in dark green balocrome & silver leaf lettering on spine. Cost £21. 400gms.

 

SWORD, LANCE & BAYONET A record of the Arms of the British Army & Navy. By Charles Ffoulkes , C.B, O.B.E. and Major Hopkinson , M.C.

 

This book covers the development of the edged weapons used by the British Army & Navy from the early regulations, warrents & recordes . Sources quoted from 1672 to 1900. With subjects of Belts, Slings Knots, Lance, Bayonet and Staff Weapons. Notes on Tests done on various weapons, and an Appendix covering Muskets, Rifles and Carbines.

24.5cm x16cm size with dark green Balacrome cloth , xvi,143pp , 80 drawings in the text ,plus 7 pages of 40 photographs showing sword hilt designs. Price £ 23.00 480gms .

 

 

AMMUNITION : A Descriptive Treatise ,Part IIAmmunition for Rifled Ordnance 1870 By Capt. C.O. Brown

A descriptive treatise on the different projectiles, charges, fuzes ,rockets etc, at present in use for land and sea service, and on other war stores manufactured in the royal laboratory

This edition covers the Armstrong Breech-Loading system, B.L. Projectiles, Segment shell, Common Shell, Shot, Muzzle-loading Armstrong Shunt system, Woolwich System, Boxer Shrapnel Shell, Palliser Projectiles, Special equipment for 7-pd & 9-pd adopted for India, Charge, Patterns of B.L. Service markings, Charges & Cartridges for M.L.(Armstrong) Shunt Gun, Charges for Woolwich Guns, Tubes, Armstrong E & F Time Fuzes , Percussion Fuzes , Rockets & Rocket Machines, Hale’s War Rockets, Boxer’s Life Saving Rockets, Notes on Flight & Penetration of Projectiles.

 

With 252pp A4 size with 86 woodcut plates of illustrations on rifled ordnance and rockets.

A4 size dark blue buckram covered, gold leaf lettering & royal coat of arms on the cover.

Cost £25 +£ 5 P & P( UK ) 950gms.

 

 

Notes on Ammunition 5 th Edition 1877 (corrected upto 1881)

The only detailed publications giving information on the smooth-bore ordnance, small arms ammunition for the: Snider & Martini- Henery Rifles, pistols, Gatling Guns. With details of Hale’s rockets, 64, 80, 40 & 25 R.M.L. Guns.Armstrong B.L. system etc. With 164pp, over 100 B & W drawings, 18 pages of tables. 24.5cmx16cm size pages, soft cover. Cost £19.

 

Handbook for the Martini-Henry Rifle

Handbook showing parts, drill, aiming,firing , bayonet, care of rifle & ammunition of this main weapon used in the Z.W. 156pp, over 30 B & W drawings. Soft Cover .Cost £ 19.00. 230gms.

 

Handbook for the Lee- Metford Rifle

Handbook showing details of rifle introduced in 1887, by the bold action design of James P.Lee and reduced calibre barrel of Metford’s system of rifling. It has 140pp, over 35 B & W drawings. Soft Cover. Cost £19. 230gms.

 

The ARMOURER’S HANDBOOK 1943 By LABORE

Published to help assist Armourer’s & their staff in the maintenance, repair of the weapons in service and to bring home to the individual the importance of “looking after” this part of his equipment which his life may depend upon. Published originally by Gale and Polden Ltd. as three different booklets, this is the first time they have been all bound as one book.

The three parts were : 1. The Rifle, 2. Machine Carbines and Pistols 3.Light Machine Guns. Each part has a section on the 5 or 6 different subjects. Each firearm has: details of examination looking at all views, magazine,bolt etc, applied safety,Stripping,Gauging , Method of testing etc. With a B & W Photograph and a fully detailed fold out plan with all parts dis -assembled & named. 24.5 cm x 16 cms size, 106pp, 17 B & W Photos, 17 fold out plates ,. Bound in maroon buckram, gold leaf lettering & royal coat of arms to cover.

Cost £ 25.00 weight 720gms

 

A Dictionary of Explosives c1886

A Practical Dictionary on the explosives used or proposed to be used in the United Kingdom which are or have been licensed for use and manufacture for general sale under the Explosives Act 1875

By Major J.P. Cundill R.A. H.M. Inspector of Explosives.

 

This book covers eight different classes of explosive:

1 Gunpower , ordinarily so-called, 2 Nitrate mixtures other then gunpowder, 3 Chlorate mixtures, 4 Nitro-compounds containing nitro-glycerine, 5 Nitro-compounds not containing nitro-glycerine, 6 Explosives in which picric acit is a main constituent, 7 Explosives of the sprengel type, 8 miscellaneous explosives.

With an additional section on : Some of the more recent developments and applications of explosives by Col. V.D.Majendie C.B. 24.5cm x16cm size with dark green Balacrome cloth , 96pp , 3 drawings in the text,plus Recent Developments & Applications 20pp.

Price £ 21.00 400gms .

 

The Manual of Military Electric Lighting Vol. I, II & III.1909-1912

This is the only detailed Manual on this equipment , all bound as one book. Full details of all equipment used with Military lighting , motors, generation equipment, battery power, projector gear, projectors, search lights in Fortress installations, reflectors, switchgear & boards, accumlators , field electric lighting, central power stations, fittings & lamps, arc lighting, electric cable and accessories.

 

With tables, circuit diagrams, installation diagrams, cable network diagrams , illustrations of equipment, B & W photographs of the equipment itself & IEE Wiring rules 6 th edition 1911.

 

With Vol I 104pp 101 ills, Vol II 178pp114 ills, Vol III 136pp 63 ills., Giving a total of 416pp & 278 illustrations & tables. Bound in maroon buckram, gold leaf lettering & royal coat of arms to cover. Cost £ 25 + £8.00 Postage. 1660 gms