Mike Irwin
Staff
I don't have a 3rd edition (1976), but I do have a 4th edition (1980), when Barnes was still primary editor.
This is the salient part in my issue...
"However, in 1894, the propellant was changed to the then new cordite and after a few years it was found the smokeless powder burned more efficiently in a shorter case."
How does yours read? I'm thinking you may be misinterpreting the comment about smokeless powder.
In the 4th edition it's clear that by "smokeless powder" he's referring to cordite.
This is the salient part in my issue...
"However, in 1894, the propellant was changed to the then new cordite and after a few years it was found the smokeless powder burned more efficiently in a shorter case."
How does yours read? I'm thinking you may be misinterpreting the comment about smokeless powder.
In the 4th edition it's clear that by "smokeless powder" he's referring to cordite.