{"product_id":"osprey-publishing-early-military-rifles-wpn76","title":"Osprey Publishing Early Military Rifles WPN76","description":"\u003ch2\u003eEarly Military Rifles: 1740–1850 - Osprey Weapon Series #76\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this fascinating study investigates the rifled firearms employed by European and American forces in the 18th and early 19th centuries, from the American long rifle to the British Baker rifle and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe conduct of combat operations in open order during the 18th and 19th centuries required an improved firearm with more accuracy than the standard-issue smoothbore infantry musket. Consequently, the appearance of a new type of regular light infantry soldier and an innovative military firearm, the rifle, marked a new age in the history of warfare. During the 18th century both Austria and Prussia fielded light troops armed with rifled firearms, while conflicts in North America involved the deadly long rifle and the innovative Ferguson breech-loader. Rifle-armed specialists also fought for several nations during the Napoleonic Wars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, it was the decades after 1815 that saw the appearance of successful rifled percussion firearms, paving the way for the widespread issue of rifled weapons. This development was accelerated by the Prussian adoption of the Dreyse \"needle gun\" in 1848 and in 1849, the French Minié rifle was the first successful conical ball rifle concept to be issued to regular troops in large numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat You'll Discover in This Volume\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis historical study investigates the development, combat employment, and influence of rifled firearms among European and American forces between 1740 and 1850. It traces the evolution of these weapons from specialized hunting tools to standardized military equipment, covering significant conflicts such as the War of the Austrian Succession, the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Mexican-American War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe text analyzes the technical advancements in ballistics and the strategic shifts required to integrate slow-loading but high-precision rifles into infantry formations. Specific rifles discussed include the iconic American long rifle, the British Baker rifle, and various Continental European models. The volume is extensively illustrated with specially commissioned full-color artwork, technical diagrams, and contemporary photographs that showcase the internal mechanisms, ammunition, and period-accurate uniforms of the riflemen who used them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevelopment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImpact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConclusion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBibliography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Osprey Publishing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOsprey Publishing is a world-renowned publisher of illustrated military history books. For more information about their extensive catalog of military history titles, visit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ospreypublishing.com\/\" target=\"_self\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOsprey Publishing's official website\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eExplore More Military History at MPM Hobbies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're interested in military history and modeling, browse our complete \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/osprey-publishing-books-magazines\" target=\"_self\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOsprey Publishing Books \u0026amp; Magazines collection\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e or explore our full selection of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/books-magazines\" target=\"_self\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBooks \u0026amp; Magazines\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e for hobbyists and historians.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Osprey Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51776651985127,"sku":"OSPWPN76","price":4.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/7798\/9095\/files\/MPM_1_716f5c7a-683e-4a14-9993-45bd05c5e93b.jpg?v=1770689215","url":"https:\/\/mpmhobbies.com\/products\/osprey-publishing-early-military-rifles-wpn76","provider":"MPM Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}