An illustrated historical reference to 500 military, law enforcement and antique firearms from around the world. The world's most important small guns from the medieval hand-held cannon and the matchlock pistol to the Luger P-08 and today's FN P90. Includes a fascinating history of small arms from the 12th century to the present day, a comprehensive directory of small arms, full technical specifications, and illustrated with more than 550 photographs
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Handguns presents an outstanding one-volume reference tool for all who study or use handguns. Alexander Zhuk's meticulous constant scale line drawings are unmatched in modern-day gun literature. Drawn directly from the guns themselves wherever possible, they combine accurately observed outlines with an unerring sense of solidity.
This fascinating visual account of firearms shows everything from the earliest cannons to modern weapons of war. It also highlights how gun technology and military tactics developed in tandem over time. Centuries ago, the Chinese discovered that if they put gunpowder and a projectile into a metal tube and ignited it, they could fire the projectile with enormous force. The first guns were born. Firearms: An Illustrated History showcases over 300 firearms including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, machine-guns, and artillery, each with annotated close-up photographs and details of their origins, barrel, and caliber. It details the use of the firearms, not just in the military but for sport, hunting, and law enforcement. This comprehensive volume traces the history of firearms, highlighting "turning points" such as the rifle with its parallel spiraled groves that could impart a spin to bullets making them fly straighter. It also showcases iconic firearms such as the Walther PPK self-loading pistol popularised in James Bond films. With information on the great gunsmiths including Beretta and Kalashnikov and a detailed guide to how guns work, Firearms: An Illustrated History is an essential purchase for everyone interested in guns and military history.
This comprehensive encyclopedia is both an expert reference work and stunning visual directory, explaining the development of arms, and showing the individual specifications of modern weapons.
Chronicles the history of small arms from the twelfth century through the early twenty-first century and provides a guide to pistols, revolvers, and submachine guns, with illustrations and specifications for each selection.
This set of encyclopedias covers the complete history of firearms. It features directories of arms from many parts of the world, organised according to country of manufacture. It includes key specifications for each weapon, including calibre, magazine capacity, barrel length and unloaded weight.
Guide to important firearms from the medieval period to the present day. Contains directories of arms from many parts of the world and features key specifications for each weapon, including caliber, magazine capacity, barrel length and unloaded weight.
