A TREATISE OF ARTILLERY.

Ottawa, Ontario: Museum Restoration Service, 1965. XII, xl, 214 pp + [2] pp publisher's book list, 10 1/4" H, brown imitation leather, red title block with gilt lettering, gilt banding to spine. A limited edition of 850 copies, this copy without number but noted as being "for review" - with the signature of D.B. (Donald Blake) Webster on front free endpaper. A Preface by Harold L. Peterson and plates by Charles William Rudyerd (d. 1813) have been added to this facsimile of the 1780 third edition. The 28 original plates and the Rudyerd plates are all present (many fold out). " 'A Treatise of Artillery' reprinted here sets forth Muller's ideas concerning the proper design and employment of all forms of cannon. In this volume he argues strongly for determining the most efficient length of bore, shape of chamber and location of vent by scientific experimentation conforming with the purpose for which the piece was intended. Tubes, he maintains are much heavier than they need to be for actual service and the custom of placing the trunnions in the low line is pernicious from the standpoint of simple physics. Other major suggestions include the simplification of moldings and the elimination of brass and gun metal which was frequently used at that time in favor of good quality cast iron for all pieces. The 'Treatise' was a highly influential and persuasive book, but it did not change British artillery overnight. It seems likely, however, that the (it) had considerably more influence in America. A pirated edtion edited by John Norman was printed in Philadelphia in 1779 (and dedicated to George Washington, General Henry Knox and Officers of the Continental Artillery!). It is believed by most students that this was the only manual readily available to artificers and ordnance officers in this country during the Revolution and that they followed its precepts more closely than did their counterparts in England." from the Preface. Light edge wear - mainly at the corners and at the top/bottom of the spine, very light browning at the edges of the endpapers.. Not Signed. Limited Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by Charles William Rudyerd, et al..