2 IMPORTANT BRITISH NAPOLEONIC MANUALS ON MILITARY RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP.

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"A CORPORAL OF RIFLEMEN" [CAPTAIN HENRY BEAUFOY]. "Scloppetaria: or Considerations on the Nature and Use of Rifled Barrel Guns, with Reference to their Forming the Basis of a Permanent System of National Defence, Agreeable to the Genius of the Country." Printed by C. Roworth.for T. Egerton, T E Gerton, 1808. xxiv 251 + 6-page index, errata, engraved frontispiece of a military rifleman taking aim, 9 other plates (including illustrations of gun tools) and 3 target plates. Bound in a contemporary speckled calf, with raised bands, label and gilt on spine. The author gives details of the advantages of the rifled barrel, theory of spiral motion powder, construction of the rifle, the lock sights, the bullet etc., A scarce and important title in the development of rifles (Riling 350). CONDITION: an exceptionally good copy, with page and plates bright and clean; edge wear to the binding. [WITH] BAKER, Ezekiel. "Remarks On Rifle Guns. Being The Result Of Upwards Of Fifty Years Practice And Observations, With Specific Remarks On Fowling Pieces, the Percussion Lock, And Fire Arms In General. To Which Are Subjoined Descriptions Of A new Bullet Mould And Clipper, Various Improvements In Gun And Door Locks And Spring Bolts, A Description Of Fire-Armes Deposited In The Royal Arsenal At Woolwich, Including All The Improvements And Inventions For Which Three Silver Medals have Been Awarded By The Society Of Arts, Together With Tables Of Weights Of Balls, Descriptive Plates, Etc." Joseph Mallett, 1829. viii, 251 pp., hand colored frontispiece of a rifleman presenting, 5 other hand colored plates, 3 of riflemen in firing positions, 2 of target plates and 1 engraved plate of bullet molds and tables for the weight and diameter of lead balls. Bound in original printer's boards with modern 1/4 binding of black leather, gilt lettering and lines. First published in 1800, the first edition was only 18 pages with plates, subsequent editions were extended and enlarged. The 11th being the last in 1835 (Riling 329). The man who developed the Baker rifle, need we say more? CONDITION: moderate toning to the frontis. and title page, with some foxing, light toning to all pages; otherwise a clean and very good copy.