Flintlocks, A Practical Guide.... by Eric Bye

[mongrel]

I was given an advance copy of former "Muzzle Blasts" editor Eric Bye's new softcover book, "Flintlocks -- A Practical Guide For Their Use And Application" to read and do a review of on this forum. For reasons I haven't yet worked out, the office staff and most of the powers-that-be at the NMLRA headquarters seem to like me and little perks like this book are the result.

The book is published by the NMLRA and offered on their website at a cost of $29.95 plus shipping and handling. For someone interested in the subject matter, the book is well-worth the money. It's an 8 1/2" x 11" softcover book of about 225 pages loaded with detailed information and lots and lots of very good full-color pictures.

That said, and especially the part about "someone interested in the subject matter" -- I found it impossible to read the book and therefore can't offer an objective review. THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE AUTHOR OR HIS SUBJECT. What it comes down to, in a nutshell, is that though I'm obviously quite fascinated with flintlocks and I opened to the first page of this book with high hopes, I am NOT in the least bit interested in competition target shooting, and that seems to be Eric's primary point of reference. I made it to about Page 50 or so. The book leads off with general descriptions and discussion of flintlocks -- with a noticeable slant toward their use in target competition. Somewhere in the early 40's there is fairly brief mention of using them for hunting. Then comes actual discussion of target competition, and after descriptions of numerous specific types of matches, and even a full-page description with diagram of how to dope the wind -- I set the book aside.

Glancing through later pages in the book, I can assure anyone interested that there are heaps of helpful information on the care and maintenance of flinters, but the simple fact is that this is a well-done, very thorough treatment of flintlock rifles, pistols, and smoothbores, written by a veteran competition shooter and likely to be of immense interest not only to other competition flintlock shooters but to flintlockers in general who aren't as put off as I am by the subject of target shooting. At a good point in the day I'm indifferent -- my mood can change without warning, and frequently does, to actively hostile.

So I suppose in a way this IS a review, but really it's not. "Flintlocks" is well-written, by a genuine authority on the subject, but its slant is such that I imagine it will be of great value and even entertainment to a great many people. I just happen not to be one of them, and on that point I can only conclude as I began -- it's not Eric Bye's or his book's fault. The problem lies with me.

I will be happy to pass the book along to anyone on this forum, who feels a legitimate interest in the points that, as described above, either bore or irritate me. One condition: Whoever asks for the book is obligated to at least attempt a fair review of it. If you just want a copy for your own enjoyment, they're for sale. The copy in my possession deserves to be handed along to someone who not only believes he or she will appreciate it, but is willing to share that appreciation in a way that I can't.

[Dogshirt]

Question. Would the "slant" towards competition shooting carry over to percussion? Reading the wind would seem to.
Is there any reason that that part needs to be flint specific? Just wondering, as this could aid ALL shooters.

[mongrel]

Most if not all of the competition-related stuff, including the details of the competitions themselves, would not only carry over to percussion but to modern firearms as well. Rifle-related matches in most cases could be adapted to the use of most any caliber modern firearm; pistols are difficult to shoot well no matter if they're a flinter or a Colt 1911; and busting clay birds is a challenging blast whether the shooter throws up a Mossberg pump gun or a double-barrelled front-loader.

Which is why I think someone more interested than I am in competition, friendly, formal, or whatever, would probably enjoy this book. Even a lot of the "care and feeding" details are just as applicable to percussion guns.

I hope I don't give the impression that I think that nothing other than flint-specific information ought to have been included in Eric's book. Much of what's fun about flinters and makes them tick DOES carry over, not only to percussion muzzleloaders but in many cases to cartridge firearms. I just gave up on this book after the sixth or seventh straight page of detailed descriptions of specific types of matches, after having noticed that in the initial general-information discussion everything seemed to reference how most everything stated applies to shooting in competition. If it were simply re-titled "Flintlocks -- A Practical Guide For Primitive Shooting Competition" or something along those lines, it would be a more accurate indication of the book's contents, and I wouldn't have started reading with any illusions about enjoying it.

[Black Jack]

I got a copy a short time ago, but have not had the chance to begin reading it as yet. I don't consider myself an accomplished (or even passable) competition shooter by any means, but most of my shooting is at the monthly matches held at a few of the local clubs. I'm equally mediocre with both flint and percussion, so your description of the book actually encourages me to get into it. Who knows, it might help me get myself up to Average ! If I feel that I have any worthwhile opinion to contribute I'll put it up on the thread.

[DandJofAZ]

After 7 years of comp. shooting at the Winter Nationals, This sounds like a book for  a person interested in starting into comp. flint shooting...the real competitors I shoot against are so set in their way already, I doubt they would be open for the "new" insight this book might offer them...so if like Black Jack, you are starting to shoot comp. and want insight for flinters, it could be a great book...just not for everybody.....

Doug

[Red Badger]

Sounds like I also will be reviewing this book when Mike sends it to me - I am not a competition shooter by any means so it will be interesting to see if I can learn a few things.

[Red Badger]

Flintlocks
A Practical Guide for their Use and Appreciation
By Eric A. Bye

I received this book and was asked to review it for practicality among the black powder community, and will state in my own defense I am not an expert of any kind!  That being said, in a nutshell my impression after sitting down with these 230 pages is that it belongs on every Black Powder enthusiast's bookshelf! 

From the opening paragraphs dealing with "the magical attraction – and a few mysteries" of the flintlock ignition system, though the authors introductory journey to competency with this lock.  On throughout the 33 chapters of the book which cover a gamut of "almost everything you ever wanted to know about black powder gun, but were afraid to ask."  It is all presented in a simple and easy to understand format which flows from one subject to another in a graceful and logical pattern. 

There are chapters which are of more interest to the hunter than the paper shooter, and chapters on match fundamentals and weather condition impact on the dynamics of ignition and ball delivery to target which are of import to anyone who wishes to have the ball impact a certain spot on which ever type target they are aiming at.

The basis for the book is the flint lock ignition but I found 90% of the book also applies to all Black Powder firearms.  With topics covered such as firearms safety, Powder Horns and Flasks, Ramrods, Tools and techniques, and several more covering the basic arm itself to topics such as historical reenacting and how to chapters for running a shoot or making your own accessories.  This book contains charts which are useful, and easy to read, along with beautiful color photographic illustrations throughout the book.

Most impressive to me were the appendices which covered an amazing amount of information.  There is a vast amount of information imparted in these pages to anyone who is willing to read this book.

Red Badger