History of Shooting

Originally published in 1859, this scarce early work on Wildfowling in all its various forms, is both expensive and hard to find in any edition. We have now republished the third and best edition of 1875, using the original text and engravings. The author was an acknowledged expert in the art of wildfowling, and this book is probably the best researched and most descriptive early title on this increasingly popular field sport. It ranks among the highest class of sporting literature. The book's substantial four hundred and thirty six pages contain numerous comprehensive chapters, including: Fowling; Ancient Methods; History of Decoys (nine chapters); Decoy Ducks; The Flight Pond; Wild Fowl Shooting; The Fowler's Dog; Language of Wild Fowl; Flight of Wild Fowl; The Gunning Punt; Punt Guns; Management of the Punt Gun; Punting by Daylight; The Sailing Punt; Night Punting; Goose Shooting; The Quarry (20 detailed chapters); Wild Swan Shooting; Shooting Yachts, Boats and Canoes; The Cripple Chase; Wild Duck Shooting; Coastal Shooting; Fenland Shooting; Methods of Capturing Woodcock; Laws Affecting Wild Fowl; Fowling Abroad (11 chapters); Rock Fowling in The Shetlands, Orkney and St. Kilda; Wildfowling Ashore by Night; Snipe and Woodcock Shooting; Etc, etc. The contents are nicely illustrated with full page steel engravings and several wood-cuts. This is a fascinating read for any dedicated shooting man, fowler, or historian of the sport, but also contains much information that is still useful and practical today.

First published in London 1814, this is one of the rarest sporting books of its time, with first editions commanding astronomical prices. Colonel Hanger was a celebrated sportsman and soldier, famous for his feats in both vocations. He hunted, shot and saw service, both in England and America. This book provides a wealth of information gleaned over a long and active lifetime. It will appeal greatly to the country lover and sportsman and prove an amusing social document for students of that era with its historical anecdotes and lively style. The book's two hundred and twenty-six pages contain valuable information on: How to Allure and Catch all Vermin. Rat Catching Secrets. Managing Horses and Dogs. Rearing Pheasants. Fowling Pieces, Rifles and Muskets. Remarks on Rifle Shooting. Pointers and Setters. Preventing Partridge and Pheasant Poachers. Catching Flocks of Wood Pigeons. Catching Waterfowl. Stalking Red Deer. Training Colts. Cures for Bullocks and Cows. How to Shoot by Night, Wildfowl, Peewits, Plover, Wild Geese and Bustards. Remarks on the Rifle Bench Saving a Poisoned Dog. Several Valuable Family Receipts. Plans for Training and Disciplining a Corps. Distance Rifle Shooting, etc. This is a fascinating read for any field sports enthusiast or historian and contains information that is still practical and useful today. Many of the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the 1800s, are now extremely scarce and very expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This important historical record of the ways of an early gamekeeper is extremely difficult to find in its original printing. First penned in 1820, it was revised, and then published by the author's son in 1851 as a second edition. Very few of either edition remain today. We are now republishing it using the original revised text. Its 200 pages detail the life and work of a keeper in the first half of the 19th century. Some 150 years on, the reader will find much of the contents and advice still remains relevant to gamekeepers and shooting men. The author offers his book as a "Practical book of instruction for the class to which it is particularly addressed, as well as to Sportsmen in general." Thirty-five concise chapters detail methods of preserving game, whilst advice is also given on controlling some thirty species of birds and mammals then considered vermin. Other chapters discuss: Trapping; Poisons; Hereditary Instinct; Observations on Poaching; The Game Laws; Steel Man Traps; Dog Spears; General Observation etc.

This fascinating but little-known book was first published in London in 1914. The author was a prolific contributor to the sporting press of that time and was an acknowledged expert on guns and shooting.We have now republished it using the original text and illustrations. The books 232 pages are a veritable mine of information on the development, manufacturing, choice, and use of the English shotgun and its associated cartridges and loads. Much practical advice is also offered on shooting grouse, pheasant, partridge, woodcock and wildfowl etc, with a multitude of tips on dealing with high birds, "coasters", wind direction and weather, "flapper-shooting," etc. Fourteen comprehensive chapters deal effectively with each of these subjects and are fully illustrated with vintage black and white photos and illustrations. The original fascinating adverts for guns, cartridges, shooting grounds, equipment etc, have also been retained for historical interest. This early shooting book will prove to be a valuable asset in increasing the knowledge and prowess of all "gun-buffs" and shooting men.