The award-winning book Beautiful firearms — Black Powder: Black powder firearms in warfare, hunting and competition by Øyvind Flatnes is the practical history of the firearms from the late medieval ages to about 1900.

Written by a trained historian and experienced black powder shooter, the book covers both the historical and practical background of the firearms — from muzzleloading pistols, muskets, shotguns, and rifles to black powder cartridge rifles and revolvers. Illustrated with hundreds of colour photographs and technical drawings, the book includes descriptive entries on weapon details and loading processes.

Who is it written for?

The book is written for the black powder shooter, collector, hunter, re-enactor, cowboy action shooter, or antique firearms enthusiasts in general. It covers firearms from all over the world, but is especially focused on American, English and Scandinavian firearms.

Unlike other black powder books it has as chapters on Scandinavian military firearms such as the kammerlader — one of the first military breech-loaders — the 12 mm Remington rolling block, and the Jarmann rifle — one of the world’s first military bolt-action repeating rifles.

Awards

The book won the "Best Specialised Book/Textbook" award in Norway's largest tabloid newspaper, Dagbladet, in 2005. Click her to look inside!

Purchase

You can get the book from the author, in bookstores all over Norway, at the publisher, or Internet bookstores such as Bokkilden or Norli.

It has 190 pages, hardcover/dust jacket and is illustrated with hundreds of colour photographs and technical drawings. The format is 21 x 27 cm. ISBN: 8252929400. Norwegian language only!

English edition — proof-readers needed!
These days I'm finalising the English translation of the book. The English version will be an revised and expanded version of the Norwegian version — probably with a couple of new chapters. Hopefully I will get it published in 2010.

Since I'm not an English native, I seek people who can proofread the manuscript, including syntax, grammar, text flow and so on — a person who can make sure that the text it is sensible, fair, and accurate. Knowledge of black powder firearms is a great advantage. Contact me if you want to help out!