2012 Reprint of 1948 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Julian Sommerville Hatcher was a noted firearms expert and author of the early twentieth century. He is credited with several technical books and articles relating to military firearms, ballistics, and auto loading weapons. His premier works are "Hatcher's Notebook" and "Book of the Garand." He was also a pioneer in the forensic identification of firearms and their ammunition. Hatcher retired from the United States Army as a Major General. Afterward, he served as Technical Editor of the National Rifle Association's "American Rifleman" magazine. Hatcher's "Book of the Garand" is the definitive chronicle of the rifle General George S. Patton called "the greatest battle implement ever devised." Hatcher follows the evolution of the M1 Garand from the first semiautomatic hunting rifles to the devastating U.S. infantry weapon of WWII.

2012 Reprint of 1948 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Profusely illustrated. This book is still a classic in the early development of applied ballistics. Much of the information contained within this book is still relevant to many of today's firearms and their use. It is recommended for any serious technical shooter or amateur ballistician. It is a classic reference by a renowned expert. Invaluable information for shooters, gunsmiths, collectors, ballisticians, and hunters. Starting with the '03 Springfield and '17 Enfield, this authoritative guide describes the development of automatic and semiautomatic weapons, explaining how they work, barrels and experiments with obstructions, strengths and weaknesses of military rifles, receiver steels and heat treatment, headspace, recoil problems, gunpowder, corrosion, triggers, and the Pederson Device. It also covers noted gun makers, tips to match ammunition, interior and exterior ballistics, velocity variation, measuring methods, weights, overloads, and ranges.