Naval Ordnance and Gunnery - Reprint of 1944 Instruction Manual

Our review of Naval Ordnance and Gunnery finds it most valuable for military historians, naval officers studying historical doctrine, and collectors who appreciate authentic technical manuals. This high-quality reprint of the May 1944 instruction manual reproduces photos and technical drawings and preserves the original preface explaining why a new manual was needed during World War II. The single biggest reason to buy is its fidelity to the original instruction material and its usefulness as a primary source for how the United States Navy approached ordnance and fire control training in 1943-44.

Key Features

• Historical reprint fidelity: The edition reproduces the original text and illustrations so readers can study period wording and technical presentation precisely as issued in May 1944.
• Illustrated content: Photographs and technical drawings are included to clarify procedures and equipment descriptions that accompany the instructional text.
• Curriculum-focused: The manual reflects the standardized curriculum used at Naval Reserve Midshipmen's Schools and training divisions, useful for understanding instructional priorities of the era.
• Authoritative origin: Compiled under the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Training Division, it represents official Navy guidance and training practice from WWII.
• Durable reprint quality: The reprint is produced to preserve historical materials, making it suitable for reference use and handling in research settings.

Who It's For

This manual is ideal for historians, researchers, reenactors, and naval professionals interested in period doctrine and the development of naval ordnance and fire control practice. Its original illustrations and technical drawings make it a practical reference for study rather than a modern textbook.

Those seeking current technical specifications, contemporary safety standards, or modern training methods should look elsewhere; this reprint is a historical primary source and does not reflect postwar advances or current ordnance doctrine.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Faithful reproduction of the 1944 manual preserves original photographs and technical drawings for accurate historical study.
• Represents standardized curriculum from the Bureau of Naval Personnel, offering insight into wartime training priorities.
• Useful primary source for researchers and collectors who need unaltered period instruction material.
• Clear organization derived from an instruction manual format makes navigation through topics straightforward.

Cons

• Content is historical and not suitable as a guide to modern ordnance practice or current safety standards.
• Limited to the scope and terminology of 1943-44, which can be technical and dated for casual readers.

Specifications

Title	Naval Ordnance and Gunnery
Original issue	May 1944
Publisher / Origin	Bureau of Naval Personnel, Training Division, United States Navy
Contents	Instructional text with photographs and technical drawings
Purpose	Standardized curriculum for ordnance and gunnery instruction
Edition	High-quality historical reprint

Our Verdict

Naval Ordnance and Gunnery is a strong value for anyone needing an authentic wartime instruction manual: it reproduces the original material faithfully and offers clear photographic and diagrammatic support for the instructional text. Buy this reprint if you need a reliable historical reference or curriculum snapshot of the United States Navy in 1943-44; those seeking modern guidance should consult current manuals instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original 1944 printing?
This is a high-quality reprint that reproduces the original May 1944 manual, not an original surviving first printing.

Does the book include photographs and drawings?
Yes, the reprint contains the photographs and technical drawings included in the original instruction manual.

Is the content suitable for modern ordnance training?
No. The manual documents historical doctrine and should be used for research and historical study rather than current operational training.