This fascinating document was a paper first published by the Society of Antiquaries in 1829. Its significance lies both as an able and well documented review of the early history of hand firearms, and a summary of the state of knowledge of that subject in the 1820's. Many of the earliest shooting and hunting books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.