Gaspard Monge - Description de l'art de fabriquer les canons - 1793

Gaspard Monge. Description of the Art of Making Cannons. Paris, Imprimerie du Comité de salut public, an II [1793], viii-231 pp. and 60 plates

A quarto volume (260x200 mm), half calf, smooth gilt spine, red morocco title piece (period binding). Wear and rubbing on the boards and spine, the upper half of the hinge of the second board cracked. Interior fresh, rare foxing.

First edition; well complete with the 60 plates and 4 folding tables

The work was published in the context of the French Revolution, when the Republic had to rapidly increase its artillery production to face the wars of the First Coalition.

Monge methodically outlines the processes for making bronze cannons, from alloy preparation through casting, drilling, inspection of parts, and strength testing. He describes the operations carried out in artillery foundries and the technical principles allowing the production of tubes that are more regular and safer.