The flintlock Musket

The flintlock musket is the most readily identifiable of all early forms of gunpowder weapons. For almost 200 years, from the 17th to 19th century, this was the weapon that dominated the battlefield. Empires were founded by muskets; Napoleon’s armies conquered Europe and the American Civil War was fought using them. The author explains the origins of the flintlock method of operation and what it meant in terms of fighting wars. The weapon transformed the battlefield in many ways and changed tactics.

In easy terms he lays out how the use of the weapon spread. Its method of use was to remain unchanged until the percussion cap was developed and even then, muskets were adapted to accept this method of firing. This is a nice single volume on such a historical weapon.