British Ordnance Muskets identifies and analyses in detail eighteen ordnance muskets from the 1830s and 1840s. As well as providing the history and details of the muskets of this important period when the Ordnance transitioned from flintlock to percussion arms, it also covers the impact of two arms shortages, material losses suff ered in the Tower of London fire (1841) and the obsolescence of all existing arms for the Militia and Volunteers. By consulting original records, Adrian Roads also off ers much about the gun contractors themselves: what drove them, what irked them and their capacity for work. It includes several appendices that facilitate in-depth research into any British ordnance percussion musket held in a collection or under consideration for acquisition, making it aninvaluable resource for researchers, students of arms and collectors alike. The only book to comprehensively analyse British muskets from this period, written with De Witt Bailey, the foremost expert on small arms of the 1700 and 1800s.* The Royal Armouries is the worlds leading authority on all things weapons, arms and armour.* This title follows on from The Medieval Art of Swordsmanship and other specialist titles from the Royal Armouries.* There is continued interest in these titles from collectors, gamers, reconstruction enthusiasts as well as academics and researchers.