Ordnance and Gunnery. by J.G.Benton (1867)

Military Article Photocopies available from Military/Info

Benton, Brevet-Col.J.G. Ordnance and Gunnery. New York: D.Van Nostrand (1867)(3rd Edition); 585 pages, 172 illus. Price 59.00 {Item No.4574} [Full title: Course of Instruction in Ordnance and Gunnery; Prepared for the use of the Cadets of the United States Military Academy. by Brevet-Colonel J.G. Benton. Late instructor of ordnance and science of gunnery, military academy, West Point]

• Chapter I. Gunpowder; 64 Pages, 7 illus. Price 7.00 {Item No. 20501} [Includes: General theory, Materials: Saltpetre: Description, Sources, Refining, Tests, Chlorate of Potassa. Charcoal: Nature of charcoal, Properties, Accidents, Combustibility. Sulphur: Properties. Manufacture of Gunpowder: Proportions of ingredients, Operations, Processes of manufacture, Round powder. Inspection, Proof, Etc.: Proving powder, Packing, Analysis, Hygrometric qualities, Quickness of burning, Restoring unserviceable powder, Storage, Preservation, Transportation. Effects of Gunpowder: History, Explosion, Ignition, Combustion, Law of formation of gaseous products, Inflammation. Products, etc. of Combustion: Nature of products, Temperature. Determination of the Force of Gunpowder: Absolute force, Relation between density and force, Force of powder when inflammation in is instantaneous, Density when the inflammation is not instantaneous, Calculation of the density of a charge of cylindrical form, Application to practice. Guncotton: Guncotton, or pyroxile]
• Chapter II. Projectiles; 33 Pages, 14 illus. Price 4.00 {Item No. 20502} [Includes: Definition, Materials. Classification: Solid shot, Bullets, Shells, Grenades, Case shot, Bar shot, Percussion bullets, Carcasses. Charge of rupture of shells: Plane of rupture, Loss of gas by fuze hole. Fabrication of projectiles: Materiels. Inspection of projectiles: Object of inspection. Preservation and piling of balls: Lackering, To find the number of balls in a pile. Theory and construction of rockets: Structure, Motion, Guiding principle, How fired, Form of trajectory, History, Advantages, Kind used]
• Chapter III. Cannon; 107 Pages, 33 illus. Price 11.00 {Item No. 20503} [Includes: History of Cannon: Early cannon, Construction of early cannon, Ancient guns, Ancient mortars, Ancient howitzers, Calibre, Devices, Materiel system, First system, Second system, Valiere's system, Gribeauval's system, Stock trail system, Louis Napoleon's system, Recent improvements. Construction, &c., of Cannon: Definition, Classification, Nonmenclature. Interior Form: Division of parts, The vent. Seat of the Charge: Seat of the charge, Heavy charges, Light charges, Effect on strength. Windage: Definition, Loss of force. Length of Bore: Ancient theory, What governs the length, Experiments to determine it, Conclusions. Charge: Maximum charge, Effects on recoil, Effect of length of bore on maximum charge, Most suitable charge. Materials: Requirements, Strength, Effect on cooling, Weight, Hardness, Corrosion &c., Kinds of metals, Bronze, Steel, Semi-steel, Wrought iron, Cast iron, Combined metals Exterior Form: Thickness of metal, To determine the pressure by calculation, Determination of pressure by experiment, Nature of force to be restrained, Various kinds of strain, Division of the exterior, Trunnions, Preponderance, Rimbases, Knob of the caseable, Handles, Position of the center of gravity, Weight of cannon. Different kinds of Cannon: Gun, Howitzer, Mortars. Rifle Cannon: Definition, Rifles how classified, Form of groove, Uniform groove, Variable groove, Method of cutting grooves, Comparative advantages, Number, width, and shape of grooves, Inclination of grooves, Effect of length, Effect of resistance of the air, Position of center of gravity, Limit of inclination, Most suitable inclination. Used to which cannon are applied: Field cannon, Napoleon gun. Mountain and Prairie Cannon: Mountain howitzer. Siege and Garrison Cannon: Siege guns, Siege howitzer, Siege mortars, Coehorn mortar. Sea Coast Cannon: Object, Large cannon, Projectiles, Kinds of sea coast cannon, Columbiads, Howitzer, Mortar. Manufacture of cannon: Where made, Moulding, Cooling, Boring and turning. Inspection of Cannon: Inspecting instruments, Inspection, Bronze cannon. Proof of Cannon: Powder proof, Iron cannon, Bronze cannon, Inspection marks. Injuries Caused by Service: External, Internal]
• Chapter IV. Artillery Carriages; 36 Pages, 14 illus. Price 4.00 {Item No. 20504} [Includes: General: Classification, Packhorse, Draught horse. Harness: Requirements, Modes of attachment, Gribeauval's method, Present method, Preservation &c.;Wheel: Nomenclature, Dish, Friction, Rolling Friction, Size of wheel, Kinds. Gun Carriages: General conditions, Principal parts, Forces acting on gun carriage. Limber: Object, Construction, Turning, Load, Length of stock, Wheels, Locking wheels. Field Carriages: Kinds, Gun carriages, Caisson, Travelling forge, Battery wagon. Mountain Carriage: Requirements &c.;Prairie Carriage: Description &c.;Siege Carriages: Kinds of, Gun carriage, Limber, Mortar wagon, Mortar bed, Platform Sea Coast Carriages: Classification, Material, Carriage, Kinds of carriages]
• Chapter V. Machines and Implements; 22 Pages, 17 illus. Price 2.00 {Item No. 20505} [Includes: Object, Gin, Sling cart, Casemate track, Lifting jack, Lever jack, Trench cart. Implements and Equipments: Loading, Pointing, Manoeuver. Preservation and Repairs: Preservation, Repairs. Destruction, ect. of Material: Carriages &c., Cannon. Materials for Carriages &c.: Timber, Selection of trees, Felling, Defects of trees, Seasoning and preserving timber, Bill of timber, Wrought iron, Construction, Painting, Models &c.]
• Chapter VI. Small Arms; 72 Pages, 30 illus. Price 7.00 {Item No. 20506} [Includes: History, Hand arms, Projectile arms, Defensive weapons, Portable fire arms, Arquebuse, Matchlock, Pistol, Petronet, Musket, Rifles, Bayonet, Flintlock, Loading. Hand Arms: Classification, General principles, Thrusting arms, Cutting arms, Thrusting and cutting arms, Scabbards. Defensive Armor: Cuirass and helmet. Manufacture of Sword Blades &c.: Material, Fabrication, Inspection of blades, Proof of blade. Portable Firearms: Principal parts, Barrel, Lock, Stock, Sights, Mountings, Ramrod. Breech Loading Arms: General description, Metallic cartridge, Principles of breech loading arms, Altered Springfield musket, Spencer repeating arms, Advantages &c..;Small Arm Projectiles: Forcing, By action of the ramrod, Patch, Delvigne plan, Tige, or spindle, By form of projectile, By the powder, Present methods, United States, England, France, Austria, Switzerland. Charge of Powder: Conditions. Lubricant: Necessity, Qualities, Methods. Different Kinds of Small Arms: Rifle musket, Rifle, Carbine, Pistol carbine, Colt's pistol, Sporting rifle. Manufacture of Small Arms: Where made, How made, Operations, Welding, Rolling barrels, Swaging, Boring, Drilling and tapping, Turning, Milling, Cutting and filing, Grinding and polishing, Case hardening, Hardening and tempering steel, Blueing, Browning. Inspection of Small Arms: Object, Finished arm, Barrel, Ramrod, Bayonet, Stocks, Lock, Mountings. Packing and Storage of Arms: Boxes, Storage. Preservation and Care of Arms in Service: Instruction, Dismounting by a soldier, To clean the barrel, To clean the lock, To clean the mountings, Dismounting by an armorer, Lock, Precautions in using. Inspection of Arms in Service &c.: Gauges, Inspection, Classification. Durability and Strength of the Musket Barrel: Durability, Strength. [Very interest comments on the multiple loading of muskets at Gettysburg]
• Chapter VII. Pyrotechny; 40 Pages, 17 illus. Price 4.00 {Item No. 20507} [Includes: Definitions Buildings &c.: How arranged, Furnaces, Precautions. Materials: Classified, 1st Class, 2d Class, 3d Class, 4th Class Preparing cartridges, &c..;Ammunition for Small Arms: Bullets, Cartridge, Buckshot cartridge, Packing, Pistol cartridge, Percussion caps, Maynard's primer. Field and Mountain Ammunition: Composition, Stand of ammunition, Strapped ammunition, Packing &c.;Siege and Sea Coast Ammunition: Cartridge bags, Strapping shells &c., Filling shells, Wads. Military Fireworks: Comprise what, Composition, For ammunition, Slow match, Quick match, Port fires, Friction tube, Fuzes, Bormann fuze, Sea coast fuze, Concussion fuze, Percussion fuze. Fireworks for Signals: Signal rockets, Blue light. Incendiary Fireworks: Fire stone, Carcass, Incendairy match, Hot shot. Fireworks for Light: Fire ball, Light ball, Tarred links, Pitched fascines, Torches. Offensive and Defensive Fireworks: Bags of powder, Light barrel. Ornamental Fireworks: Object, &c., Lance, Petard, Gerbe, Flame. Movable Pieces: Sky rocket, Tourbillion, Saxon, Jets, Roman candles, Paper shell, Decorative pieces, For communicating fire, General remark.]
• Chapter VIII. Science of Gunnery; 53 Pages, 10 illus. Price 5.00 {Item No. 20508} [Includes: History of ballistics. Initial Velocity: Fundamental questions, Definitions of velocities, By mechanical principles, Practical rule for initial velocity, What effects initial velocity, Determination of initial velocity by experiment, The West Point ballistic machine. Motion of a Projectile in Vacuo: Determination of equations of motion, Practical application of formula. Resistance of the Air: Importance of considering it, Law of resistance, Fall of a projectile in the air. Loss of Velocity by Resistance of the Air: Equations of motion. Form of Projectile: Theory, Experiments of Hutton and Borda, Conclusions. Trajectory in Air: Difficulties of the problem, Didion's method, 1st class, 2d class, 3d class, Comparison of true and calculated trajectories, Trajectory of oblong projectile. Deviation of Projectiles: Nature and causes, Causes which effect initial velocity, Rotation, The effect of rotation, Deviation of oblong projectiles, Summary of deviating causes.]
• Chapter IX. Loading, Pointing and Discharging Fire Arms; 15 Pages, 3 illus. Price 2.00 {Item No. 20509} [Includes: Loading, Precautions, Use of projectiles not suited to the bore. Pointing: Definitions, Pointing guns and howitzers, Pointing mortars and small arms, Night firing, Pointing small arms, Graduation of rear sights, Distance of object. Tables of Fire: Purpose. Rapidity of Fire: Depends on size of piece &c.]
• Chapter X. Different Kinds of Fire; 21 Pages, 7 illus. Price 2.00 {Item No. 20510} [Includes: Classification, Direct fire, Ricochet fire, Practical rules for ricochet fire, Rolling fire, Plunging fire, Effect of fire in general, Measure of deviation, Targets, Deviations, Solid shot firing, Shell firing, Shrapnel firing, Grape and canister firing, Small arms firing.]
• Chapter XI. Effects of Projectiles; 17 Pages, 2 illus. Price 2.00 {Item No. 20511} [Includes: General considerations, Cast iron, Wrought iron, Effect on wood, Effect on earth, Penetration, Effect on masonry, Breaching, Breaching with rifle cannon, Effect of bullets]
• Chapter XII. Employment of Artillery; 17 Pages Price 2.00 {Item No. 20512} [Includes: Greatest range, Employment of different kinds of fire, Ricochet fire, Canister fire, Field howitzers. Employment of Siege Cannon: Long ranges, Enfilading and counter fires, Firing in breach, Fire of case shot, Fire of the siege howitzer, Use of fire balls, Fire of mortars, Mortar case shot &c..;Seacoast Defenses: Nature of defenses, Armament, Fires.]
• Chapter XIII. Tables of Mutipliers, Tables of Fire; 33 Pages, many tables Price 4.00 {Item No. 20513} [Includes: Tables of Mutipliers: Explanation, Tables 1-5, Table of times calculated for the West Point ballistic machine. [The values of B, I, D, V &c.] [The tables are related to formulas in the Ballistic section of this book] Tables of Fire: Ranges: 6 Pdr. Field Gun, 12 Pdr. Field Gun, 12 Pdr. Field Howitzer, 24 Pdr. Field Howitzer, 24 Pdr. Field Howitzer, 32 Pdr. Field Howitzer, 24 Pdr. Siege Gun, 32 Pdr. Sea Coast Gun, 42 Pdr. Sea Coast Gun, 8 inch Siege Howitzer, 8 inch Sea Coast Howitzer, 10 inch Sea Coast Howitzer, 8 inch Rodman, 10 inch Rodman, 15 inch Rodman, 3 inch Rifle Gun, 3 inch Parrott Gun, 4-1/2 inch Rifle Gun, 24 Pdr. Gun Rifled, 32 Pdr. Gun Rifled, 30 Pdr. Parrott Gun, 42 Pdr. Gun Rifled, 100 Pdr. Parrot Gun, 8 inch Siege Mortar (Model 1861), 10 inch Siege Mortar, 8 inch Siege Howitzer as a Mortar, 13 inch Sea Coast Mortar. Table with angles of depression of an object for different distances and heights of a gun above the water, Table with remaining velocities for Sea coast projectiles: 15 inch shot, 13 inch shot, 10 inch shot, 8 inch shot, 12 inch Rifle shot, 10 inch Rifle shot, 8 inch Rifle shot. Table of experimental firing in 15 inch Columbiad to determine penetration of a solid shot and shell against sand target. Table of results of experimental firing of various projectiles from the Parrott gun against at sand and clay target Table with results of experiments on the penetration of rifle bullets into various substances (using a Enfield Rifle and Lancaster rifled carbine. Table of the cost of guns]
• Appendix; 29 Pages, 25 illus. Price 3.00 {Item No. 20514} [Includes: Cannon: Armstrong gun, Whitworth gun, Blakely gun, Palliser gun, Parsons gun, Krupp gun, Parrott gun, Brooke gun, Ames gun, Dahlgren gun, Rodman gun, Galting gun, Various guns. Projectiles: Armstrong projectile, Whitworth projectile, Blakely projectile, Scott projectile, Parrott projectile, Schenkle projectile, Hotchkiss projectile, Sawyer projectile, James projectile, Dyer projectile, Confederate projectiles. Experiments on armor plates: Captain Noble's conclusions. Tables of results with armor plates. Improvements in Gun Carriages] [Gives a short descriptions of cannon and projectiles of the period]
• Index; 15 Pages Price 2.00 {Item No. 20515}
• D.Van Nostrand's Publication advertisements; 16 pages Price 2.00 {Item No.20516} [An excellent source of hard to find ordnance bibliographical information]

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