Description

A hand written manuscript, ‘A System of Practical Gunnery’, signed and dated by William Purves, 1821. Exceptionally well executed with a fine hand, 60 pages (6 blank) measuring 15″ x 9.5″ (38 x 24 cm) with thick card marble backing, the text including ‘Gunnery in the art of Charging, directing & exploding fire arms such as cannon, mortars & c., the Definitions, Paths of Projectiles, by Trigonometry, Geometrically and Gunnery projections. Including various potential problems, their cause and solution explained with various hand drawn diagrams and scenarios.

A fascinating piece of history. Written by Captain William Purves.

Captain William Purves, originally recorded in 1821, served as a Commissioned Officer in the Bombay Native Infantry within the East India Company’s Army. His regiment – the 9th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry (later the 109th Infantry) – was a prominent unit that saw extensive campaigns including the Mysore Wars, Sikh Wars, and Afghan Campaigns. Announced in the Bombay Gazette on May 25th 1839, ‘Lieutenant (Brevet Captain) W. Purves to be Captain ……’. His final rank was Lieutenant Colonel. He retired around 1851 and purchased a home in Dunbar, Scotland which he named “Edenholm”.

With edge knocks and a little loss to the top and bottom of the binding, but still firm. All pages intact and without tears.