From Ball to Bullet contributes significantly to Royal Marines and firearms history. There has been no serious previous study of the weapons used by Britain’ s commandos and their forefathers.

Robert Wilsey is well-placed to write this book. As a schoolboy he shot competitively at Bisley with the Rifle No. 4. He enjoyed a distinguished 31-year career in the Royal Marines retiring as Colonel, during which he deployed on exercise and operations armed with the AR-15 in the Far East, the SLR in Europe and the Middle East, and finally with the then-new SA80 in North-West Europe, the Arctic and Iraq. During the late 1990s he worked alongside the Russian Army in the Caucasus and with former Warsaw Pact nations in Eastern Europe which gave him a valuable insight into Eastern Bloc arms. He has enjoyed a long interest in vintage arms with a specialist knowledge of early breechloading rifles, about which he has written a number of books and articles.

Robert’s operational experience and detailed insight into the history of firearms come together in this authoritative and enjoyable publication. He has produced a comprehensive chronology that provides a detailed timeline of the evolution of firearms used by the Royal Marines from 1664 to 2024, linking technological     advancements to military needs. The author delves into the mechanics, design, ballistics and functionality of various firearms, offering insights into rifling, ammunition, breech mechanisms, and engineering. It connects the development of firearms to specific military campaigns, wars, and operational needs, highlighting their role in shaping military history and tactics.

By focussing on the muskets and rifles on general issue to the Royal Marines, the book fills an important niche in military history, particularly in naval and amphibious warfare. The author discusses some innovative arms, such as the Nock Volley Gun, the Whitworth Rifle and De Lisle Commando Carbine and briefly describes specialist weapons such as sniper rifles, anti-materiel rifles and sub-machine guns. Detailed specifications and comparisons make it a valuable resource for collectors, historians, and technical experts alike. The book explores how social, political, and economic factors influenced firearms development, such as the adoption of rifling, breech-loading technology and smokeless powder. It examines the practical use of firearms in conflicts, from the earliest times to modern operations, analysing their effectiveness and adaptations. Overall, the book serves as a definitive resource for understanding the technological, historical, and operational evolution of British military firearms, particularly in the context of the Royal Marines, enriching military and firearms literature.

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