This is the authoritative study of Spanish military longarms made at private arsenals in the 1870s. Replacing or supplementing government manufacturing facilities, these massive gunmaking firms had a huge impact on the industry. The rifles shown here tell this story, focusing upon the transition from muzzleloading longarms to breechloaders. While the main subject is Spanish production of the Remington Rolling Block in the Basque country, this is only part of the story, as the Berdan conversion, muzzleloaders and pistols are also covered. What makes these Rolling Blocks and their bayonets intriguing to American collectors is that so many of them were sent to Cuba and Puerto Rico, where they were captured during the Spanish-American War -- making them much more common here than in the country where they were made. (An English translation of a recent Spanish reference.)

1,100 color photographs, line illustrations and historical photographs

Bonus print of the parts drawing for M1871 Carbine & Musketoon