Google Books - Good reading

[ky_man]

I should re-title this post - "What I'll be reading this Holiday weekend" :snore:

I don't know how many of you know about this resource, but a lot of interesting books are available as full text scans.

Google Books

Here are the results of a search for "musket":

A companion to the new rifle musket By S. Bertram Browne (1855)[url] http://books.google.com/books...AAJ&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=musket&as_brr=1#PPP8,M1[/url]

Deanes' manual of the history and science of fire-arms By John Deane (1858)[url] http://books.google.com/books...AAJ&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=musket&as_brr=1#PPP6,M1[/url]
I like this quote: "Good powder may thus be exploded on the bare hand without a sense of burning"

Gunnery in 1858: Explaining the Principles of the Science of Gunery, and Describing the Newest... By William Greener[url] http://books.google.com/books...lpg=RA4-PA275&dq=musket&as_brr=1#PRA1-PR14,M1[/url]

A Course of Instruction in Ordnance and Gunnery; Prepared for the Use of the Cadets of the United... By James Gilchrist Benton[url] http://books.google.com/books...A316&lpg=RA2-PA316&dq=musket&as_brr=1#PPP7,M1[/url]

For "Fusil":

An Essay on Shootinh (La Chasse au Fusil) by de Marolles (1789)[url] http://books.google.com/books...5&lpg=RA1-PR15&dq=fusil&as_brr=1#PPP6,M1[/url]

 

[wolfers]

Wow, didn't know about this Google feature. Thanks a million. T :hatsoff: his is great.

 

[hawkeye1755]

I tried it.Searched for Sons of a trackless forest the Cumberland long hunters of the eighteenth century.Get the following answer:
The nearest Library is the Suburban Library Cooperative,Clinton Township, MI 48038 United States.Distance:3967 miles (6384 km) :shocked2:
The furthermost Library was Escondido Public Library, Escondido, CA 92025 United States.Distance:5579 miles(8978 km) :shocked2:
So what can i say?I'm still laughing
:rotf:

 

[k.jacobfrost]

Neat. I either didn't know about that feture or forgot about it.

Another good site is Project Gutenberg they deal solely with books that the copywrite has expired on though. Lots of interesting stuff.

Frost

 

[ky_man]

Well you don't get to pick and choose just any old book (ain't life unfair) but nevertheless, there are some interesting finds for those who don't mind digging...I was searching for "full view" books. Reading these should keep me busy for a while.

 

[ky_man]

I've seen the books on P. Gutenberg, they're OK, but of limited selection. I did read all of the A.C. Doyle Sherlock Holmes books, those were good reads. I was just surprised by the availability of this old material for free on Google. Somebody could do a history thesis with these original primary sources.

 

[hawkeye1755]

You are right.Found some very interesting books for me.The search for Mark's book was only a experiment.
With unbelievable answers.
:hatsoff:

 

[ky_man]

Here's some more:

Report of Experiments on Gunpowder, Made at Washington Arsenal, in 1843 and 1844 By Alfred Mordecai[url] http://books.google.com/books...lpg=RA1-PA125&dq=musket+cock&as_brr=1#PPP6,M1[/url]

Projectile weapons of war and explosive compounds By John Scoffern (1852)[url] http://books.google.com/books...PA151&dq=flintlock+cock&as_brr=1#PPA1,M1[/url]

 

[wszumera]

I notice some you can download the pdf and others you can't. Why some and not others? It would seem copyright has laps on most of these.

Clutch

 

[dlemaster]

Ky Man
I have a copy of "An Essay On Shooting"
The description of barrel forging and boring is priceless.
I talked with Wallace Gusler and Tom Strohfeldt about this book several years ago.
It was published in London in 1789 anonymously. The thought is it was published by a fellow named Acton, I can't remember his first name.
It is based on the English manner of gunmaking, but he does use comparisons to French and Spanish gunmaking.
The chapter on proofing barrels is also interesting.
It is a great read for anyone concerned with learning traditional gunsmithing.

Regards, Dave