Introduction. 



probably of no account whatever. Therefore, in the first 

 part of this bibliography, which is devoted to ancient books 

 those published between 1450 and 1850 the order is 

 mainly chronological ; but the books of the last century are 

 subdivided into English and Foreign, and those of the first 

 half of the present century into English, French, German, 

 Italian, and Spanish. 



In dealing with modern books a different classification is 

 advisable. To most it is of the first importance to learn 

 whether the book is written in English if not, in what 

 language it is written ; or to know what technical books 

 exist in any particular language. The subdivisions in this 

 second part therefore deal in the first place with books in 

 English those relating to arms generally, to particular 

 descriptions of arms, to the technicalities of gun-making, 

 to the proof of guns, to ballistics or gunnery, to the art of 

 shooting with gun and rifle, and, lastly, to sport with the 

 gun at home and abroad. The same method of subdividing 

 is adhered to with French and German books, and, in a 

 minor degree, with those of Italy and Spain. 



No bibliography of practical proportions could be produced 

 unless many works were purposely excluded. In this com- 

 pilation books will be found which at first sight will appear 

 to have no right of entry as long as others are excluded ; 

 but there are publications with misleading or too compre- 

 hensive titles which need to be specified in order that time 

 may not be wasted by referring to certain books owing to a 

 misconception of their nature. " The Rifle and how to use 

 it," by J. V. Bridgeman, is no indication that the work is a 

 farce, and originally performed at the Haymarket in 1859. 

 A docket to this effect will save the student time and the 

 librarian useless labour. 



The exclusion extends in a complete manner to modern 

 military treatises dealing with ordnance, those of a general 



