Battle Weapons of the American Revolution

By George C. Neumann

393 pages, hard cover: $65.00

Reviewed by Bill Scurlock

This spectacular book is arguably the best primary source book ever published on the small arms of the Revolutionary War period. In addition to the most extensive photographic collection of Revolutionary War weapons ever in one volume, George Neumann has composed an excellent treatise on the history and evolution of the weapons and how they affected the prosecution of warfare in the 18th century. This is a "must-have" book for historians, reenactors and collectors.

The chapter on smoothbores is a book unto itself, occupying 195 pages and covering 160 smoothbores from military muskets to trade guns. The chapter begins with an explanation of how the weapons determined the tactics used to fight the battles. The evolution of military muskets is explained and illustrated. Many accoutrements (including 23 cartridge boxes) are illustrated as well. The meat of the chapter begins with the display of individual smoothbores. Each weapon has a page of its own with five large, clear photographs and a descriptive text that includes its historical use, provenance, materials and dimensions. This photo display is invaluable for collectors wishing to identify original shoulder arms or for builders who are recreating the arms of the period.

Each succeeding chapter duplicates the format of introductory text (which includes historical background, evolution and practical usage) followed by the photo displays of individual weapons: a chapter each for rifles, pistols, swords, bayonets, and polearms. In all, over 500 weapons are illustrated with more than 2,200 black and white photographs. In addition, detailed drawings by historical artist George C. Woodbridge of troops using the weapons are included in each chapter.

This book is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of George Neumann. Neumann is a former national commander of the Brigade of the American Revolution and a director and fellow of the Company of Military Historians. The creator of the major Neumann Collection of Revolutionary War militaria displayed at Valley Forge National Historical Park, the author has lectured at the Smithsonian, West Point and Valley Forge and was a consultant and participant in the Revolutionary War multi-series Liberty for the Public Broadcasting Network.

Battle Weapons of the American Revolution is many things: a source book for historians and collectors, a guidebook for reenactors, and an idea book for those who recreate weapons and accoutrements. It's available from Scurlock Publishing Company, RR 5 Box 347-M, Texarkana, TX 75503; 1-800-228-6389.