doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The Modern Shotgun by Burrard

Hi all, I'm thinking about getting the 3 Vol. set, but was wondering what you all think about this series. Is he on target or full of it with regards to his statements, conclusions and facts?

Thanks so much!

Greg

The best book EVER re the shotgun, imho. It took Major Burrard almost 10 long years of pain-staking work/research to produce. He is definately NOT full of it. It is an outstanding work. I for one am very glad he took the time to produce the great work. If you get an original 3 volume set, consider yourself very fortunate.

I agree with Buzz.

All I can say, if you two say it's a good one, then it is!!!! I'm buying the set.

Thanks guys!

Greg

gjw
The most Comprehensive "technical" review of the Modern British shotgun, cartridges and the gun and cartridge,circa 1900-1950, ever published! The first editions appeared in 1931,several reprints followed. To me these books are an absolute must for any one interested in researching the British shotgun.I purchased my copies in the 1950,s!
F.Y.I.
Many of the concerns appearing on this forum can be answered by reading Burrard; for example the reasons for burst gun barrels!
Burrard had a distinguished Military career. He was well respected by the British gun trade.His expert ballistic and forensic knowledge often resulted in him being called as an expert witness in cases involving firearms; ranging from mysterious deaths to liability for burst gun barrels.
Add to this the fact that at one time he was editor of the British magazine Game and Gun, plus the fact that he was also the author of books on such diverse subjects as Forensic Ballistics, Fly tying and Big game Hunting we can appreciate that he was an exceptional firearms author that also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

It is one of the core works of research literature that anyone interested in the double gun should own.

I simply say AMEN to all of the above. If I could keep only one book on Shotguns, it would be Burrard. There have been a few changes in shotguns since his works but the principals he laid down can be applied to most of them as well.
Indispensable is the best way to describe it.

Thanks again all! I've always heard good things about his work, but wasn't sure how well his data fared over the years, with so many technological advances in loads and cartridges etc. The basics will always be the same, but it's good to hear his thoughts/facts still are in force. I didn't know that it's a 3 Vol. series, always thought just one book. It must be in depth.

Thanks again!

Greg

Greg;
The Modern Shotgun was originally sold as a 3-volume set I believe. The one I have is a later reprint which I bought new in the 1960's. It came as a 2-book set but one of the books has two of the original volumes combined into the one book. It also has some later Appendices which were not in the earlier versions. From a collectors standpoint the earliest versions would be the more desirable, but from a strictly user basis I would prefer this later one as there is much good info in the additional appendixes.

I wouldn't worry too much about load data, the set covers quite a bit more as the other folks have mentioned. You might be patient tracking a set down since you've done ok so far without it, you'd think some sellers were sitting on a gold mine.