Features edged weapons from Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia, Japan, and Africa. Items shown range from ancient times to the early 20th century. Learn to identify the characteristics, historical uses, and current values of these highly diverse antiques. Includes information on terminology, evaluating age and authenticity, and current values. Novice as well as advanced collectors will find this an indispensable reference.
This comprehensive boxed set offers two authoritative encyclopedias on sharp-edged weapons through history and around the world. The first section of each book is a fascinating overview of edged weapons, from the pole arms and ballock daggers of medieval Europe, and the cavalry sabers of the 17th century to the swords of the Russian Empire and classic commando knives of World War II. The second sections offer complete visual directories, featuring each weapon's capabilities and individual specification.With over 1500 illustrations, this is essential reading for everybody interested in the history of military conflicts and sharp weapons.
THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND BY AMAZON CREATESPACE FULLY UPDATED AND REVISED A full colour reference book and price guide for collectors of antique swords!! The book contains over 2000 full colour photographs, the majority of which have never been seen in print before. Each listing includes full colour photographs, a concise description and the current market value in both $US and Sterling. Over 2000 full colour photographs There are also comprehensive sections detailing the historical background for particular sword types and essential tips for collecting. Categories include: Infantry Swords Cavalry Swords Naval Swords Hunting Swords Smallswords Japanese Swords Care and Preservation of Antique Swords Sword Bibliography READ THE REVIEWS! "This beautifully produced volume...wide-ranging and eclectic work cataloguing a large selection of swords dating from medieval times to the demise of the sword as a combat weapon...gives the generalist the knowledge and confidence to identify and know the value of any commonly encountered sword..." Classic Arms and Militaria Magazine "Almost 300 pages of colourful photographs and informative text...is an entry level guide which also serves as a source of reference to the more experienced collector..." The Armourer Magazine "I am delighted to write the Foreword...because it gives a broad introduction to the types of swords that one might might find in the marketplace..." Professor Richard Holmes PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND BY AMAZON VIA CREATESPACE AND NOT THE PUBLISHER.
Weapons of Warriors is a photographic study containing many of the most renowned, prestigious, and historical Arabic and Turkish swords from the 12th through the 19th century. Every sword is professionally studio photographed in the highest resolution and corrected color. Each weapon is presented in multiple angles, many in life size across two pages to provide the reader with the most detailed appreciation of the skill, craftsmanship, and artistry involved in the hand crafting of these famous Shamshirs, Kilics, Nimchas, Yatagans, and Saifs. The Askeri Military Museum of Istanbul, Turkey, has set a new standard in international art and cultural exchange by opening its entire collection to the authors. The museum staff provided every assistance to be certain that their most magnificent and important weapons were photographed for this study. The museum director of edged weapons even took the time to pen an essay (included herein) on the Turkish Yatagan. Working with the authors is an international team of writers from Germany, India, and Egypt who provided additional information on the science behind these historically significant blades, traditional koftgari decoration, as well as the translation of ancient passages that adorn the edged weapons in this study. This beautiful book is produced for everyone who loves the lore and lure of edged weapons, whether they are beginning students, historians, collectors, or connoisseurs of these most artistic and deadly weapons of warriors.
“The history of the sword,” the author writes in his introduction, “is the history of humanity.” For centuries, the sword has been a symbol of power, strength, liberty, and courage. In the Middle Ages, the image of a sword was used to signify the word of God. Nearly every culture in history has forged blades from stone or steel to fight in times of battle and protect in times of peace. In this groundbreaking work, Richard Francis Burton, explorer, translator, scholar, and swordsman, draws on a wealth of linguistic, archaeological, and literary sources to trace the millennia-old history of the sword. From its earliest days as a charred, sharpened stick to the height of craftsmanship in the modern era, the sword has been the weapon of choice for warriors of all stripes. In eloquent, captivating prose, Burton describes: • Dirks • Daggers • Knives • Sabers • Cutlasses • The origin of the weapon • The weapons of the age of wood • The Copper Age of weapons • The Iron Age of weapons • The sword in ancient Egypt • The sword in ancient Greece • And more Nearly three hundred line drawings enhance Burton’s richly detailed text. Any reader of history or student of weaponry will find this book a fascinating, highly enjoyable read.
