Examines the shift from hand-craft to mechanized firearm production, focusing on the French Model 1777 and Russian Model 1808 muskets.

A variety of factors surround military firearms – they needed to be produced in large numbers to a standardised pattern at an affordable price. This book examines the transition from traditional hand-craft methods to the beginnings of mechanised manufacture using as examples the French Model 1777 and the Russian Model 1808 infantry muskets.

A number of factors led to this choice. The French Model 1777 musket, designed by Honoré Blanc working under General Gribeauval, contained many novel features which became blueprints for the arms of numerous countries and was copied in its entirety by Russia. Another factor is that they are the only firearms whose manufacture is covered in contemporary accounts. A third factor is that they provide contrasts in their methods of manufacture; the French 1777 musket was largely produced by hand-craft methods, whereas in Russia we see the beginnings of extensive mechanisation in the early 19th century.

Another important aspect which appears is ‘interchangeability’ – the ability to exchange identical parts of identical mechanism without ‘special adjustment’. This is a vital factor at the foundation of modern manufacturing and first appears in early 18th century France, was pursued again by Blanc in 1777 and was picked up in Russia.

For the first time, all these ‘technologies’ are examined, explained, compared and contrasted in extensive detail.

• Cover
• Halftitle
• Dedication
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1 The Manufacture of the French Model 1777 and Russian Model 1808 Muskets
  • Introduction
• Chapter 2 Barrel Manufacture
  • 2.1 Introduction and the properties of wrought iron
  • 2.2 Making forged and welded iron barrels in early 18th century Portugal
  • 2.3 Making forged and welded iron barrels in the later 18th century – France and the M.1777 musket
  • 2.4 Making forged and welded iron barrels in the early 19th century – Tula and the 1808 musket
  • 2.5 Making forged and welded iron barrels in 18th & early 19th century Britain
  • 2.6 Making forged and welded iron barrels in 18th & early 19th century America
• Chapter 3 Finishing the Barrel Internally
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Finishing the bore in early 18th century Portugal
  • 3.3 Finishing the bore in the later 18th century – France and the M.1777 musket
  • 3.4 Finishing the bore in the early 19th century – Tula and the M.1808 musket
  • 3.5 Finishing the bore in early 19th century America
  • 3.6 Finishing the bore in early 19th century Britain
• Chapter 4 Finishing the Barrel Externally
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 External finishing in early 18th century Portugal
  • 4.3 External finishing in the later 18th century - France and the M.1777 Musket
    • Breeching
  • 4.4 External finishing in the early 19th century - Tula and the M.1808 Musket
    • Breeching
  • 4.5 External finishing in early 19th century America
  • 4.6 External finishing in early 19th century Britain
  • 4.7 Examining finished barrels
• Chapter 5 Manufacture of the Lock
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Lock making in France c.1777-1806
    • The Lockplate
    • The Tumbler (Noix)
    • The Frizzen (Batterie)
    • The Cock (Chien)
    • The Bridle (Bride de noix)
    • The Sear (Gâchette)
    • The Springs (Ressorts)
    • The Screws (vis)
    • Hardening and tempering the lock components
    • Case-Hardening
    • Inspection of lock components.
    • The Lockplate (corps de Platine)
    • The Pan (Bassinet)
    • The Frizzen (Batterie)
    • The Cock (Chien)
    • The Tumbler (Noix)
    • The Bridle (Bride de noix)
    • The Sear (Gâchette)
    • Springs (Ressorts)
    • The Screws (vis)
    • Annealing/Tempering
    • Manufacture of the lock at Tula
    • The Lockplate
    • The Cock [Hammer]
    • The Tumbler [Trunnion]
    • The Bridle
  • 5.3 Lock making in Britain in the early 19th century
  • 5.4 Lock making in America in the early 19th century
  • 5.5 Interchangeability
• Chapter 6 Manufacture of the Stock
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 Stocking the French M.1777 musket
    • Selection of timber
    • Making the stock ‘blanks’
    • Roughing-out
    • Mounting the components – “setting-up”
    • Commencing work on the stock
    • The butt
    • Bedding the barrel
    • Bedding the lock
    • Commencing work on the ramrod channel
    • Fitting the bands
    • Fitting the band springs
    • Completing the ramrod channel
    • Fitting the ramrod spring
    • Fitting the trigger plate, trigger guard and trigger
    • Finishing the stock
  • 6.3 Stocking the Tula M.1808 musket
    • Bedding the lock
    • Finishing the stock
  • 6.4 Stocking in Britain and America in the early 19th century
• Chapter 7 Conclusions
• Appendix 1 Weights and Measures
• Appendix 2 Mémoire important sur la fabrication des armes de guerre
• Bibliography
• References