Question: Any Interest in an Enfield Book?

[Craig L Barry]

I was at Blockade Runner leaving some things off for Todd Watts (the gunsmith) to work on for me, and I saw something interesting...a customer picked up a copy of the book "The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy" (one of two copies left) and he said "Too bad there isn't something like this just on the Enfield." Jerry Smith (the owner) was there and said, "Well, there's the author, ask him why not..." I had really not thought that much about it since a fair amount of Enfield material is in "The Civil War Musket" already.

So my question would be, is there greater interest in an Enfield-only monograph of 75-80 pages at half the price of the 150 pg $27.95 list Civil War Musket (which covers US Model rifle muskets and smoothbores as well)? It would be good the know before the 2nd edition goes to print.

Discuss among yourselves.

[indguard]

There is one written by Geoff Walden if I am not mistaken. He is an expert on Enfields. I hope someone with a better memory chips in, here.

WTH

[PetePaolillo]

Well it limits yourself to readers who are just Enfield owners or people interested in just the Enfield, whereas the "The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy" covers more weopans and reaches more readers.... I would like to get one so if you could let me know when you have some ready. I will buy one. Thanks

[Blair]

indguard,

Geoff Walden is a prolific writer on the subject of CW period Enfield's. I don't know that he has any books out or that any of his articles have been compiled into book form (Imaybe wrong). Much of his works maybe found by a Googel search "Geoff Walden, Enfield"
Blair Taylor

[indguard]

No, I am pretty sure that in the late 1980s he did a monograph on Enfields. I think it was when he was Colonel of the Breckinridge bttn.

Someone will have to help me here.

WTH

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

You are thinking of Geoff Walden's pioneering monograph "Authenticizing Your Reproduction Enfield" which came out in 1985 and was revised/updated in 1995.

I don't know whether it is still available.

Asdie from Herr Geoff's, and Herr Craig's work, there is Curt Schmidt's mini-article "The Case for the British Enfield" in "The Columbia Rifles Research Compendium (Second Edition)."


IMHO, there is not so much need for another "Enfield" booklet as there might be for a reprinting of "The Civil War Musket."

Some argue that the need for "Springfield" or "Enfield" so-called "defarb" books has been lessened by the appearance of lads and businesses who offer
so-called "defarb services."

IMHO, while partially true, so-called "defarbing" is a combination of concept and work-in-progress." Meaning, the steps, measures, replacement parts, wood and metal finishes, and markings incrementally range from a really basic "refinishing the stock and removing the modern Italian markings" on "up."

A reference booklet or monograph would help lads become more educated consumers and more informed customers in making historically-correct choices when it comes to how few or how many "defarb" changes they want, need, or actually should have on their Italian reproduction "Enfields."
And help "protect them" from some "defarbers" who add incorrect treatments and markings like someone decorating a Christmas tree as long as the customer doesn't know what is right and is willing to pay for "the more, the better" even when it is not.

And, who knows... IMHO, the more factual references there are out there, perhaps the better the defarb services will be.

Others mileage will vary...

CHS

[Blair]

Craig,

I think there is a need for such a book.
What do you think most enactors what to know?
Like indguard pointed out Geoff Walden has some pretty good info on Enfield's already in print.
http://authentic-campaigner.com/arti...en/enfauth.htm
Now I love this stuff. To me it's like "Bet you can't eat just one?" potato chip commercials. I can sit and engross myself in for hours and still have questions.
Most people, their eyes glaze over after only a paragraph or two and...
Well, I think you know what I mean.
Blair Taylor

[RJSamp]

Craig,

I think there is a need for such a book.
Most people, their eyes glaze over after only a paragraph or two and...
Well, I think you know what I mean.
Blair Taylor

Yes, you stated above that there isn't a 'widespread' need for the book....

Put this another way.....do you think you could sell 1,000 copies in a year at $18 each including taxes, postage, packaging....

[Blair]

RJ,

Sir, I believe you have misquoted me.
My intent was to find a focus on what the average reenacter may want and need.
You may put this in anyway you wish, but, this is Craig L Berry's thread, not mine. Just in case you should be worried about this, I would be a consumer of such a project.
However, if well done, I would recommend it to anyone with an intrest, and expect nothing in return.
Blair Taylor

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

I would have one of the thousand.



CHS