The Crossbow: Its Military and Sporting History, Construction and Use

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (April 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160239010X
ISBN-13: 978-1602390102
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches

and,

The Book of the Crossbow

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications; Reprint edition (October 31, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486287203
ISBN-13: 978-0486287201
Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1 inches


Crossbow

Paperback: 356 pages
Publisher: Naval & Military Press; New edition (July 7, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1843428334
ISBN-13: 978-1843428336
Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8 x 0.9 inches




Are these the same books, just by different publishers?

I believe these may be the same book. To my knowledge he wrote only one. The one we have is called "The Book of the Crossbow: it's Construction and Use" and Kirby bought it as a hardback back in the 60s. Probably the same one Dover has reprinted.

But I have read it was reprinted a number of times elsewhere with different titles.
.

I believe this book was first printed over a century ago (Sir Ralph died in 1916), and has gone through many editions and title changes. There is a short version, and an expanded version with appendices concerning Turkish bows and siege engines. My own copy is from 1958.