Original Book: Limited Quantity Available. “List of Changes in British War Material In Relation To Edged Weapons, Firearms and Associated Ammunition and Accouterments, Volume IV” was written by Australian Vietnam War Veteran Ian D. Skennerton and was first published in 1993 out of Ashmore City, Australia. The books are in lovely condition and comes with original dust jacket.
“The LIST OF CHANGES IN BRITISH WAR MATERIAL constitutes the original text for articles introduced into the British military service. With some drawings and photographs, these lists were issued monthly from 1860. All items on military issue were described upon their introduction into service, so as to advise commanding officers and stores personnel of new equipment. changes, alterations and improvements to all military stores.
The unabridged lists are engrossing and cover items of great variation. From artillery, mounts and shells, machine guns and small arms, wagons and vehicles, down to eating utensils, combs and brushes, and toiletries. Curiosities include india-rubber chamber pots for lunatic asylums, fighting lanterns and rat traps. And presumably marked with the broad arrow and inspector’s stamp.
These Skennerton edited volumes list the references to small arms and their associated equipment, in chronological order. An alphabetic index permits ready reference through each volume when investigating particular items.
Editions published to date are:
Volume I 1860-1886
Volume II 1886-1900
Volume III 1900-1910
Volume IV 1910-1918
Volume V (1918-1926) will incorporate a master index for this series.
The Lists are the ultimate reference source for students and collectors of British military weapons, cartridges and accouterments of the period.”
About the author:
Born in Maryborough, Qld., Australia in 1948 and schooled at Redcliffe until 1964, Ian then won a scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music. An orchestral clarinet & saxophone player, Ian graduated from the Conservatorium with performing & teaching diplomas for piano and clarinet in 1968.
Ian was drafted into the Australian Army in 1969, serving in Vietnam in 1970. After discharge from the armed forces, Ian studied service arms in England during 1980-81, and cataloged arms and filed records at HM Tower of London & RSAF Pattern Room, Enfield.
He was awarded research grants by the Australian War Memorial in 1975 & 1987-89 and has authored and published about 100 titles on British & Empire arms & edged weapons since 1976.
Ian was awarded the annual medal by the British Arms & Armor Society in 1995, and recently nominated a Fellow of the Australian Institute for History and the Arts in 2008. He currently lives on the Gold Coast in Australia.