David Miller Thesis 17th Century Muskets

[RAEDWALD]

https://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDAQFjACahUKEwiL0bSs9NrGAhXFPBQKHT6cBk8&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk%2Fbitstream%2F1826%2F4605%2F3%2FDavid%2520Miller%2520PhD.pdf&ei=8ialVYuQLMX5UL64mvgE&usg=AFQjCNHutBI9WI5o1meyGEqfffbgtZq7fg&bvm=bv.97653015,d.d24

This is the URL I used to download a copy of David Miller's Doctorate thesis on the internal and external ballistics of the 17th century musket.

Rather than me comment I leave it to the thesis to speak for itself other than that it reinforces my opinion of the role of transonic transition in the effective range of the musket.

 

[RAEDWALD]

Bumping this because it is less about history than a valuable rigorous examination of the round ball in a smoothbore and belongs more in a firearms forum than in an historical one. It is just as relevant to a smooth bore 1840's percussion musket as to a 15th century matchlock. The set up of lead ball upon firing is worthwhile in itself.

BTW I did post it in a firearms forum but a moderator chose to move it to an historical one. I beg to differ.

 

[Alden]

Raedwald;
Merci!

 

[RAEDWALD]

Bumping it again. This has nothing to do with media. It is a pure firearms subject. Please move it back whence it came moderators.

 

[Zonie]

May I point out that "media" is not just movies.

Media includes all sorts of printed material ranging from a one page note-card sized flyer to a hardbound 1000 page textbook.
It includes all printed material and in these modern times, it can include web downloads like you've linked.

The terms "Muzzleloading and History" indicates either articals/films/links can deal with muzzleloading, history or a combination of both.

As the link you've posted is basically a Doctoral Thesis written by Dr David Miller PhD on Musket Balls, it qualifies for subjects in this area of the Forum.

I have my doubts there are many of our members who want to read a 186 page thesis on this subject but for those who do and want to download a 24+ meg file, the link you have given above will do it for them.

You aren't Dr. Miller, are you?
I ask because this document is a copyrighted file.

 

[BillinOregon]

That's one heck of a thesis!

 

[George]

I agree, Bill, and I'm pleased to get to read it, wherever it's posted.

Spence

 

[RAEDWALD]

The document is a publicly accessible document amongst the PhD, Eng D, MPhil and Msc theses made available by Cranfield Defence and Security Shrivenham of Cranfield University.

It would be an infringement of copyright to reproduce it for sale but it is legitimate to refer to the University's record. The document is actually required to be available for public study so there is no issue in advising where it may be found as a public document. I assure you that Shrivenham, as the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, is very much aware of security in both commercial and intelligence terms as the academic arm of the Ministry of Defence. They specifically advise this URL as the link for access to the document.

Whilst it is a very proper scholarly work, the relevant matters to musket ball internal and external ballistics are easily understood without one having a scholarly background oneself. It is the best evidential examination I have seen with new knowledge such as the degree of obturation of the ball and lack of rolling in the barrel.

I may say that I have never had the privilege of meeting Mr Miller and I recommend reading his thesis 'without fear or favour' as they used to say.