46 pp. Gunpowder was first discovered and used by the Chinese, but it wasn't until the 15th century that gunpowder was of a sufficient quality to be used effectively on European battlefields. This new volume examines the use of gunpowder by military forces, and the period of coverage ranges from the mid-16th century to the late 19th century. Included in its compass are both European and colonial conflicts. As gunpowder production became more consistent, the effectiveness of weapons increased, developing from the muskets of the 16th and 17th centuries, to matchlocks and then flintlocks. These again were superseded by rifled barrels. The popular format adopted in this book provides a full-page colour plate accompanied by a detailed and informative description of the illustration exploring the development of gunpowder weapons.
