Description

Small hardcover bound in dark brown cloth, with gold lettering on spine and standing figure of rifleman in gold on front cover. Original brown coated end-papers. 186 pages, followed by 23 pages of ads. Illustrated with diagrams and drawings, several full page. First edition. Small oval E. Remington & Sons stamp dated Sept. 19 1872 on first prelim. table of contents, on illustration between pages 26-7 [twice] and previous owner’s name [Mr. Borroughs Jr. at Wells Fargo Co.] also on front prelim. George Wood Wingate, a veteran of a New York regiment during the Civil War, drew up rules for systematic rifle practice by Company A, 22d regiment, New York National Guard in 1867. ” The publication of these rules (the first of the kind to be formulated in the United States) led to the organization (in 1871) of the National Rifle Association of America, of which he was first secretary and later president from 1886 to 1900.” Some slight wear to spine ends and upper tips, else a very nice copy of the rare first edition of this manual. Book is square, tightly bound and unmarked internally, but for stamps mentioned above. A nice association copy of an important work in the history of American firearms. Very good.