Handbook of Gunpowder and Guncotton: As Carried on at the Government Factory, Waltham Abbey

This book is a facsimilie reproduction, including 14 illustrations, of the original 1888 manuscript held in the Archive of the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey. It contains information pertaining to the industrial archaeology and historical significance of the Royal Gunpowder Mills. It is the 3rd volume in the Royal Gunpowder Mills Historical Reprint Series. For more information about the Archive, visit: http: //www.royalgunpowdermills.com/history-heritage/archives/

Description - from the Preface:

This handbook is founded upon "Notes on Gunpowder' and Guncotton," drawn up by me at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, in 1878, and revised in 1882 for the use of the Gentlemen Cadets of the Royal Military Academy.

I desire to acknowledge the assistance I have received, in preparing this further revision, from the Superintendent and the other officers of the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey.

It has been considered advisable to add a chapter giving a general description of the more important explosives - which although munufactured chiefly for mining and engineering purposes - might possibly have to be employed in military operations, at home or abroad. In the preparation of this chapter, I have to acknowledge my great indebtedness to a Paper written by Major J.P. Oundill, R.A., one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Explosives, and published in "Proceedings R.A. Institution," vol. xiv., No. 4.

W.H.W., 24th January, 1888