Civil War Firearms: Their Historical Background and Tactical Use

This is one of the best books on a somewhat overly discussed subject, by one of the most knowledgeable collector-writers. If it has a weakness, it is a shortage of pictures of the guns described. However, there are many other books with pictures and little else, and I already had a couple of those. I would also recommend this author's book on early repeating rifles, primarily the Henry and the Spencer.

Of course, I spent over 10 years as a member of one of the musket clubs in the N-SSA!This book is loaded with all kinds of interesting details. I bought it to use as a reference book, and to help me throw in some unusual information to "spice up" my NRA/NMLRA Basic Musket Shooting classes.Well, I find myself reading through it without putting it down.It is so loaded with interesting trivia as well as how to buy, how to shoot, how to collect, etc., that I have begun to reread it with a highlighting pen. --- The only trouble is that I appear to be highlighting more that I am leaving alone.If you are an enthusiast of "The War of Northern Aggression," get this book. You won't be disappointed.

Documentation and pictures fit well the subjects under review; however, I have a weapon collection of the period and would like more pictures and dialogue. But....that would have made a text that would need a forklift to pick up. Great work though!!

As a collector I found the book to be reasonably informative however there is no new material contained therein. All the information contained in the book is readily available online if you take the time to search - and provided you know what you are looking for. Where I really see the value of this book is for young (or old) aspiring gun collectors with an interest in the civil war as it is a great introduction into the firearms of that conflict and it is presenting information all in one easy to read book.

Very good ready with a crap load of info normally left uncovered, especially the mash up of different, obsolete, and cutting edge weapon technology being used. Recommended.

This is the Bible when it comes to CW small arms. Highly recommend it. I bought the book when it was first released in early 2000s. Read it so much it fell apart! So I'm buying it again.

Very enjoyable reading. Discusses the capability and tactical usefulness of most of the firearms used in the Civil War. Also comments on the actual impact on battle outcomes.

This book has giving me more information to allow me a better understandingof the weapons used during the Civil War. I wanted to learn about these weaponsand the history of their manufacture and where they ended up.