Militaria, arms and armour Books

190 products


  • Arms and Armour of the Renaissance Joust

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Arms and Armour of the Renaissance Joust

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Renaissance is best known as an age of artists Michelangelo, da Vinci, Titian and Holbein but it is also the age of the noble patrons who challenged their painters and sculptors to create great art. These patrons were knights, military leaders and jousters. They played a central role in the story of another great Renaissance story, that of the armourer. Here, Tobias Capwell continues his history of jousting seen through surviving artefacts in the collection of the Royal Armouries. He reveals how the jousts and tournaments of the Renaissance transported knightly combat into a kind of performance art, with demonstrations of aristocratic skill and nerve, of superhuman strength and superlative horsemanship and of cutting-edge equipment.

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Pistol

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Pistol

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £19.54

  • Islamic Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Islamic Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Royal Armouries' collection of Islamic arms and armour is one of the finest in the world. This introductory book showcases the arms and armour of the medieval and early modern periods, where a rich and vibrant diversity of military cultures existed in the Ottoman Empire, Arabia, North Africa, Persia, Afghanistan, India and Indonesia.

    15 in stock

    £8.99

  • Roman Mail and Scale Armour

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Roman Mail and Scale Armour

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFully illustrated, this study investigates the origins, evolution and use of the mail and scale armour worn by the soldiers and gladiators of Imperial Rome.Less glamorous than the Roman Army''s instantly recognizable plate armour but much more versatile, mail and scale armour were used by both legionaries and auxiliaries throughout Rome''s history. Developed by the Celts and quickly adopted by the Romans, mail armour was easy to make and required little maintenance. Scale was a much older form of armour, originating in the Near East during the second millennium BC. As with mail, it was used by both auxiliaries and legionaries, but like plate armour, it was much more fragile than mail. Both types of armour were also used by gladiators (principally as arm defences).New discoveries in both mail and scale, as well as in hybrid forms that mixed the two, mean that much more is now known about the development of these types of defence during the Roman period, their eTable of ContentsIntroduction Mail Armour Scale Armour Lamellar Armour Manufacture and Decoration Mail and Scale Armour in Use Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Samurai Swords - A Collector's Guide: A

    Tuttle Publishing Samurai Swords - A Collector's Guide: A

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisJapanese swords, particularly those wielded by famous samurai warriors, hold a continuing fascination for collectors of fine arts and historical military weapons. This book is designed to enhance one's appreciation for the wide variety of Japanese swords (as well as their related polearms), their manufacture and their preservation. A fascinating opening chapter explains how the elite Samurai class dominated Japan for more than a thousand years, how technological and ideological advances overtook the Samurai in the 1860s, heralding a more up-to-date political and military system of governance, and how such changes affected Samurai sword design and manufacture. Subsequent chapters present topics of greatest relevance to today's sword collector: namely, the modern Japanese sword; different types of swords and their construction and testing; collecting and studying Japanese swords (and the tremendously important etiquette involved); and techniques of preserving and polishing swords. This book is beautifully illustrated with paintings, photographs, drawings, and maps. In addition, there is an in-depth glossary and useful tables explaining Japanese calligraphic symbols relating to swords, both of great value to the collector.Trade Review"There are several things I immediately like about this book. It is easy enough to comprehend, yet detailed enough to serve as a reference book for later study. That's a hard thing to accomplish. If you're looking to at least be able to understand and carry on a conversation about Japanese swords in an intelligent manner than you shouldn't look any farther than this book." --Martial Thoughts podcast"Sinclaire's beautifully illustrated book is not merely about the niceties of dealing in antiques, although it is well designed for the eccentric reader of his subtitle. It offers a grand tour of its subject, taking in plenty of the basics." --Times Literary Supplement"Sinclaire takes you on the most thorough of journeys and provides a realistic, helpful guide to appreciating and collecting these blades from ancient, antique and contemporary sources. Fully illustrated, erudite, and well edited, this is a fine guide." --Maine Antique Digest

    1 in stock

    £21.24

  • Mauser Rifles Vol. 1

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Mauser Rifles Vol. 1

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    7 in stock

    £19.54

  • The M1 Garand

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The M1 Garand

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    7 in stock

    £19.54

  • The M1 Carbine

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The M1 Carbine

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis

    Out of stock

    £20.69

  • Walther Pistols

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Walther Pistols

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhile the PP and PPK were intended for police work, the Walther P 38 was produced for the Germany military; all three pistols have garnered a formidable international reputation since the 1930s.The innovative Walther PP (Polizeipistole), a double-action semi-automatic pistol intended for the law-enforcement market, became available in 1929 and went on to arm the police of several European countries in the 1930s. Its smaller cousin the PPK, more readily concealed for undercover work but with reduced magazine capacity, was produced from 1931. Intended to replace the P 08 Luger, the Walther P 38 was issued from 1940 and equipped the armed forces of Germany and other countries during and after World War II, but never entirely replaced the Luger in German service. All three pistols went on to have lengthy and varied service across the world after 1945. Both the PP and the PPK remain in production today, while the P 38 re-emerged as the P1 and equipped West German forces frTrade ReviewThis excellent volume deals with the history of this company, their various designs from the 1930s and how these pistols were used in the service of many post-war nations. The PPK and P 38 are the mainstay of Walther’s reputation and the chapters on their history are outstandingly informative. There is so much information in this book that makes this volume a must have book for anyone interested in these pistols. Osprey Publishing have been producing the Weapon Series for several years and every book in this Series is an excellent concise guide to a particular weapon or class of weapons. This book is yet another outstanding volume added to this Series, and it is very welcomed. All the books in the Series have a similar format namely an introduction to the weapon or class of weapons, a history of their development, a detailed description of their usage, the long-term impact of the weapon / class of weapons on future derivatives / designs, a conclusion, and a highly useful bibliography. If the development of these three Walther handguns appeals to you then you must consider this book as a necessary addition to your personal library. It is priced very competitively and given the quality of the author’s research it is an excellent publication. There are masses of information on various designs / sub-variants, serial numbers, engraving and stampings etc which make this volume a superb read. The author must be congratulated on this volume and all readers will no doubt be pleased by the high quality of his work. If you have one of these guns, then this book will reveal a considerable amount about its history. -- Dr Stuart C Blank * Military Archive Research *The PP, PPK and P38, some of the most famous pistols of the 20th Century, are covered in this new title, number 82 in the Osprey Weapons series. An 80-page soft-cover book in the usual Osprey style. The book opens with an Introduction that gives some historical background to the area of the Thuringen Forest of east-central Germany and a tradition of gunmakers to which Walthers became a part. With some early designs that led to the design of the PP, the Polizei-Pistole, a semi-automatic designed for police and personal use. Then the PPK, a slightly smaller version known generally of the Polizei-Pistole Kriminal, intended to more easily concealed. Added to these was the work on a military pistol, to replace the P08 Luger, something easier to manufacturer and simpler to maintain in the field, this resulted in the P38. There is great detail on the weapons themselves, the markings you will find on them, the numbers made, the serial numbers used, and in terms of the German military, who they were issued to. They proved reliable weapons, with the small PP & PPK popular with AFV and aircrews where they suited the more confined spaces and after the war they remained in production, not only in Germany but in France as well. Fascinating text accompanied by lots of photos of preserved examples long with some beautiful artwork which included cutaways of both the PPK and P38 weapons. These Walther guns remained in production after the end of the war and used by both the German and French military post-war. If you have any interest in these famous guns, either for their wartime military use or with the fame the PPK gained for being used by James Bond then there is a lot to like about this book. I for one was able to discover a little more about my own examples of the PPK and the P38, which for example I now know was made by Mauser at their Obendorf factory. A fine reference to keep if you have any interest in these famous Walther products. Thanks to Osprey for our review copy. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *I found this book fascinating, in the way the author relates the gradual evolution of the three weapons , their variants and special orders and serial numbers, also including some unusual derivatives that I had never heard of -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Luger P.08 Vol. 2

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Luger P.08 Vol. 2

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    4 in stock

    £20.69

  • Walther P.38

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Walther P.38

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis

    Out of stock

    £20.69

  • The Luger P.08 Vol. 1

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Luger P.08 Vol. 1

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £19.54

  • Arms and Armour of the Medieval Joust

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Arms and Armour of the Medieval Joust

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisJousting is the most iconic form of mounted combat. For more than five hundred years, the sport itself, and the chivalric culture that surrounded it, took on almost mythical qualities. Here, Tobias Capwell explains the glitz and glamour of a sport that attracted enormous popular audiences throughout the late middle ages.

    15 in stock

    £8.99

  • Winchester LeverAction Rifles

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Winchester LeverAction Rifles

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWinchester Lever-Action repeating rifles are an integral part of the folklore of the American West. Introduced shortly after the American Civil War, the very first Winchester, the M1866, would go on to see military service as far afield as Bulgaria, but it was in the hands of civilians that it would become known as ''The gun that won the west.'' Offering a lethal combination of portability, ruggedness and ammunition interchangeability with pistol sidearms, the Winchesters and their innovative and elegant breech-loading system represented a revolutionary design. They were used by a staggering variety of military and civilian groups - gold-miners, trappers, hunters, farmers, lawmen, professional gunmen and Native Americans. It equipped a whole generation of settlers and as such left an imprint on American culture that continues to resonate today. This book explores the Winchesters'' unique place in the history of firearms, revealing the technical secrets of their success with a full arraTable of ContentsIntroduction / Development: “The ability to shoot repeatedly” / Use: North, South – and West / Impact: The Winchester’s place in history / Conclusion / Select bibliography / Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • The German Navy  193545

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The German Navy 193545

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of the uniforms and personal equipment worn by the personnel of the Kriegsmarine, the German Navy of the Third Reich, from 193545. Founded in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, the Kriegsmarine was established in 1935 and reached a peak strength of more than 800,000 personnel in 1944. Its original aim of amassing a surface fleet on parity with Great Britain's Royal Navy shifted with the outbreak of World War II, after which focus moved to submarine warfare, with the Kriegsmarine's U-boats exacting a heavy toll on Allied shipping across the globe. Meanwhile, several of its formidable capital ships notably the Graf Spee, Bismarck, Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau saw widespread action as Nazi Germany strove to defeat the Allies at sea. In this new study, Nigel Thomas examines the evolving organization, uniforms and equipment used by the Kriegsmarine during its ten-year existence, spanning its pre-war beginnings, the invasion of Norway in 1940, and through

    4 in stock

    £15.75

  • In the Blood

    Simon & Schuster Ltd In the Blood

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis**NOW AN AMAZON PRIME TV SERIES STARRING CHRIS PRATT**'Take my word for it, James Reece is one rowdy motherf***er. Get ready!' CHRIS PRATT A woman boards a plan in Burkina Faso having just completed a targeted assassination for the state of Israel. Two minutes after takeoff her plane is blown out of the sky. 6000 miles to the east, James Reece watches the names and pictures of the victims cross cable news. One face triggers a distant memory of a Mossad operative attached to the CIA years earlier in Iraq, a woman with ties to the intelligence services of two nations, a woman Reece thought he would never see again… In a global pursuit spanning four continents, James Reece will enlist the help of friends new and old to track down her killer and walk right into a trap set by a master sniper, a sniper who has enlisted help of his own…The 5th in the bestselling James Reece series

    Out of stock

    £9.49

  • Panzer Feldjacke

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Panzer Feldjacke

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    15 in stock

    £58.39

  • Panzer Feldjacke

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Panzer Feldjacke

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £85.49

  • British Army Cap Badges of the First World War

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Army Cap Badges of the First World War

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisFor the British army, the cap badge is the most easily identifiable form of insignia. It represents a distillation of the pride of the regiment, its various battle honours and symbols borne proudly on the metallic emblem that was worn on all head dress, even within the trenches. Identification of the cap badge on old photographs is the first, important step in unravelling the military service of an individual. Cap badge collecting is as popular now as it has ever been; yet with a growing number of fakes and forgeries, there is a need for a book that illustrates clearly the main types, and allows the collector and family historian alike to understand their meaning.

    Out of stock

    £14.24

  • EM32: British Web Equipment Of The Two World Wars

    The Crowood Press Ltd EM32: British Web Equipment Of The Two World Wars

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe outbreak of WW1 in 1914 found the British Army unready in many respects for a new age of warfare. However, the British led the world in the personal equipment worn by the infantryman thanks to an American officer named Anson Mills and the skills of the company created to produce his design – the 1908 equipment set made in woven cotton web.

    15 in stock

    £10.40

  • The Broomhandle Mauser

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Broomhandle Mauser

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisAt a time when most handguns were limited to six rounds, the ten-shot Mauser caught the attention of the world for its unprecedented firepower and formidable high-velocity 7.63×25mm cartridge. This saw its ultimate expression in the first-ever select-fire handgun the Schnellfeuer' machine pistol, fed by a detachable magazine and offering both full-automatic and single-shot modes. The C 96 was the first semi-automatic pistol to see combat, arming both sides in the Second Anglo-Boer War, and seeing service with the German, Russian, Chinese and other militaries. Widely purchased commercially, it was carried by none other than Winston Churchill in the Sudan and South Africa, became prized by the Irish Republican Army and Soviet revolutionaries, and even armed Han Solo in the Star Wars' movies.Featuring full-colour artwork and an array of revealing photographs, this is the engrossing story of the C 96 Broomhandle Mauser, the ground-breaking semi-automatic pistol that arm

    4 in stock

    £14.39

  • The Crossbow

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Crossbow

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisTechnologically sophisticated and powerful, the crossbow has long enjoyed a popular reputation for villainous superiority because it could be used with little training as a weapon of assassination. The study of bow designs, trigger mechanisms and spanning devices reveals a tale of considerable mechanical ingenuity; advances that produced a battlefield weapon requiring comparatively little training to use. It was an extremely useful weapon, and especially effective in siege warfare for both attack and defence.Known to the Ancient Greeks and the Chinese as early as the 5th century BC, the crossbow developed both in Western Europe and in the Far East. Advances in trigger mechanisms, spanning and bow design allowed the development of ever more powerful bows. In this study acknowledged weaponry expert Mike Loades traces the origins, development, combat record and lasting legacy of the crossbow, the formidable projectile weapon that played a key role in a host of battles and siegeTable of ContentsIntroduction / Development / Use / Impact / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • Medieval Arms and Armour: a Sourcebook. Volume I:

    Boydell & Brewer Ltd Medieval Arms and Armour: a Sourcebook. Volume I:

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAuthoritative reference guide, using the documents in which arms and armour first appeared to explain and define them. "A substantial and impressive piece of scholarship, one that will serve scholars and enthusiasts of medieval arms and armour very well indeed". Dr Robert W. Jones, Franklin and Marshall College Medieval arms and armour are intrinsically fascinating. From the smoke and noise of the armourer's forge to the bloody violence of the battlefield or the silken panoply of the tournament, weapons and armour - and those who made and bore them - are woven into the fabric of medieval society. This sourcebook will aid anyone who seeks to develop a deeper understanding by introducing and presenting the primary sources in which these artefacts are first mentioned. Over a hundred original documents are transcribed and translated, including wills and inventories, craft statutes, chronicle accounts, and challenges to single combat. The book also includes an extensive glossary, lavishly illustrated with fifty-two images of extant armour and weapons from the period, and contemporary artistic depictions from illuminated manuscripts and other sources. This book will therefore be of interest to a wide audience, from the living history practitioner, crafter, and martial artist, to students of literature, military history, art, and material culture.Trade ReviewMoffet's Medieval Arms and Armour: A Sourcebook is hopeful. It hopes to spark further scholarship, which this writer also hopes, and thinks likely. This generation of armor scholars, such as Nicholas Dupras, author of an influential PhD thesis, "Medieval Armourers and Their Workshops" (2012), now has a compass, carefully crafted by Moffet with plenty of leads for avenues for graduate and professional research. * H-NET REVIEWS *Anyone interested in this field of study simply must own this book, and they will find themselves consulting it over and over again. No need for free shelf space, Moffat's sourcebook will best be kept close at hand on your desk or workbench. * HISTOFAKT.DE *[An] important contribution to the scholarly study of arms and armor, which provides a model for further publications that expand the overall base of information available for future detailed studies. -- FRANCIARalph Moffat, Curator of European Arms and Armour at Glasgow Museums, has produced an invaluable work of reference in his Medieval Arms and Armour: A Sourcebook. -- Oliver Creighton * Medieval Archaeology *Table of ContentsPreface Using the Sourcebook English Pronunciation Towards a Working Vocabulary Part I. Introduction to the Source-Types 1. Textual Source-Types Note on Transcription and Translation Types of Documents Official Documents Prose Sources List of Documents 2. Material Source-Types Armour and Weapons Artwork Part II. The Documents Part III. Illustrated Glossary Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £65.00

  • The US M3M3A1 Submachine Gun

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The US M3M3A1 Submachine Gun

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    4 in stock

    £34.84

  • Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, 7th

    Krause Publications Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, 7th

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £19.79

  • Mauser Rifles Vol. 2 1918â1945

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Mauser Rifles Vol. 2 1918â1945

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe design, manufacturing, development, and combat use of the various Mauser rifle models from 1918 through World War II.

    1 in stock

    £20.69

  • Gun Collectors Logbook

    Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc Gun Collectors Logbook

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisAs a gun owner, it’s your responsibility to keep thorough records of your purchases and sales. This handsome logbook maintains those records in an organized, convenient place. Whether you’re new to gun ownership or you’ve been collecting for years, it’s good practice to keep records of your purchases and sales. This conveniently compact logbook has a two-page, at-a-glance spread for each firearm—organized into sections of 20 each for rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Log pages include ample space for recording specific characteristics of each gun along with data that conforms to the standards set by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, including:   Descriptions: make, model name, serial number, country of manufacture, caliber or gauge, capacity, grips or stock, barrel length, finish, sights, action, condition, other characteristics and accessories Acquisition and disposition:

    15 in stock

    £12.47

  • Best Guns

    Derrydale Press Best Guns

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThis is Michael McIntosh’s classic book on fine shotguns, in a fully revised and expanded form—covering gunmakers who have become prominent since the first edition was published in 1989 and McIntosh’s continued research into the nature of the shotgun and the people who make them. McIntosh divides hisThis nearly encyclopedic gathering of gun knowledge deals with the world of shotguns into two distinct sections. The first is devoted to the best shotguns ever made in America, “American Best,” looks at each of the finest guns made in the United States during the Golden Age of gunmaking. Names from the past such as Parker, A. H. Fox, L. C. Smith, Ithaca, Lefever, and others are treated in greater detail, including newly manufactured American classics that bear those same names.once were more than simply names on old guns; they were people and companies, inventively vying for a share of a growing gun market. Their efforts created guns of lasting value and fame. In the second section, McIntosh explores the revivified world of gunmaking abroad—in England, Spain, Italy, and elsewhere, places where traditional craftsmanship and modern technology have combined to make the turn of the twenty-first century the most vibrant and exciting period in fine gunmaking in nearly a hundred years.“The World’s Best,” Michael McIntosh explores the world of fine guns as it exists today, country by country, commenting on guns whose intrinsic merit qualifies them as “best” guns. He looks at the gunmaking centers of England, Italy, France, Belgium, and Spain and talks of the names that warm the hearts of those who appreciate the workmanship, dynamics, and “feel” of a fine gun—names such as Purdey, Holland & Holland, Granger, Fabbri, Piotti, Arrizabalaga, and others. McIntosh offers practical advice on buying, shooting, and collecting older guns—what to look for and what to look out for, all based on long experience. McIntosh also offers advice on buying and shooting older guns—what to look for and what to look out for. As interest in fine double guns reaches a new high in this country, Best Guns serves as both a guide for the uninitiated and a standard reference for the experienced collector and shooter, all written with the precision and seamless grace that is Michael McIntosh’s trademark style..Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Part I: America's Best 1. Parker: The Legend of Old Reliable 2. A.H. Fox: The Finest Gun in the World 3. L.C. Smith: Sweet Elsie 4. Lefever: Uncle Dan's Doubles 5. Ithaca: The Guns from Fall Creek 6. Remington Model 32: The Hard-Times Wonder 7. WInchester Model 21: The Last American Classic

    Out of stock

    £21.25

  • A Arms and Armour of the Elizabethan Court Arms

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries A Arms and Armour of the Elizabethan Court Arms

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Elizabethan court was a vibrant and colourful place, where the inherited traditions and technological skill that had characterised the Middle Ages came face to face with the decorative techniques of the Renaissance. This book shows how the Royal Armouries' collections can be studied to gain insight into this creative and dynamic period.

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • The MAT49 Submachine Gun

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The MAT49 Submachine Gun

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    7 in stock

    £19.54

  • German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols 1871

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols 1871

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £43.99

  • Chinese Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Chinese Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisNatasha Bennett introduces the fascinating world of Chinese arms and armour in the Royal Armouries' collection. Offering a colourful insight into one of the world's earliest civilisations, she chronicles the development of personal weapons and armour from the late Bronze Age to the early twentieth century.

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The

    Tuttle Publishing Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisWith over 300 stunning photographs and woodblock prints along with extensive historical and cultural commentary, Japanese Swords is the ultimate authority on Samurai weaponry.Historically, Japanese warriors considered their swords to be more elevated than simple weaponry. Their swords were both lethal tools and divine companions — social and religious icons. Traditionally worn by the samurai as a sign of social status, the Japanese sword represented the junction between the ruling military class and those whom they ruled. Moreover, the samurai sword was a technological and artistic marvel. Many scholars consider it to be the finest sword ever constructed.Concerning symbolism and historical importance, no other blade comes close to the Japanese sword. With a historical, iconographical, and technological perspective, author Cohn M. Roach provides an in-depth study of these magnificent weapons in Japanese Swords. This richly illustrated sword book weaves the blade's primary influences together, tracking its history and illuminating its progress from infancy to grandeur. By studying the evolution of the Japanese sword from this perspective, we better understand Japan and its warrior archetype.Combining research materials from multiple disciplines, Roach uses his expertise as an educator to guide readers through the sword's rise to greatness in a unique way. This book discusses the history, development, and spiritual symbolism of the sword, as well as the esoteric metallurgical techniques used in making it. It also covers the intense training practices used by skilled swordsmen. Japanese Swords also includes accompanying online videos featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft, an introduction to the Japanese sword at a sword shop in Kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginner's class in the medieval sword-drawing art called iaido.Trade Review"The imagery here is the real selling point. To me, you've got to show me as well as tell me about Japan. Trust me, if you've wanted to see some historical artifacts, detailed descriptions of Japanese swords, and a little glimpse into the world of Iaido, then you're in for a treat. "--Japan Finds blog"Beautiful photographs of swords, pictures of sword craftsmen at work, and illustrations of Japanese art and artifacts complement the thorough, scholarly text."--Maine Antique Digest"This oversized 176-page hardcover is overflowing with color and black-and-white photographs." --Black Belt Magazine

    Out of stock

    £25.19

  • Yankee Air Pirates US Air Force Uniforms and

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Yankee Air Pirates US Air Force Uniforms and

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £65.59

  • Vickers Flipbook

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Vickers Flipbook

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe sequence here shows a MK.I Vickers centrefire automatic machine gun being fired. Sequence shot at the National Firearms Centre in Leeds.

    2 in stock

    £5.62

  • The English Revolver

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The English Revolver

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £34.84

  • The Model 1891 Carcano Rifle

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Model 1891 Carcano Rifle

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    4 in stock

    £43.99

  • The Collectors Guide to Cloth Third Reich

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Collectors Guide to Cloth Third Reich

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    15 in stock

    £62.04

  • East Meets West Diplomatic Gifts of Arms and

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries East Meets West Diplomatic Gifts of Arms and

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe papers presented in this volume represent the latest research on a wide variety of arms and armour given as diplomatic gifts between Asia and Europe, or within Europe, between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. The research originated at a 2013 conference that celebrated the 400th anniversary of Anglo-Japanese relations.

    Out of stock

    £19.00

  • Indian Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Indian Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisIndia is a vast sub-continent with a complex history and a great array of languages, cultures and religions. This books serves as a short introduction to the exquisite weapons used in the region from the earliest times to the twentieth century. Among others, it covers archery, swords, shields, daggers, firearms, artillery and elephant armour.

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • Standard Catalog of Smith  Wesson

    F&W Publications Inc Standard Catalog of Smith Wesson

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition is the ultimate S&W gun guide! In this highly anticipated, detailed revision is a fully annotated identification and price guide to the world of Smith & Wesson revolvers, semi-autos, shotguns, rifles, military arms and other collectibles. 144 new pages for a grand total of 528 pages of pure Smith & Wesson 14 new revolver models added since last edition Dozens of new variations of the M&P pistol New S&W rifles and shotguns, including many new M&P 15 rifles Hundreds of detailed, full-color photos Smith & Wesson gun values and collector information For fans of Smith & Wesson firearms, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition is a must-have. With listings organized to quickly and accurately identify firearms, and nearly 800 models of Smith & Wesson guns and variations, including many models not found in other fire

    Out of stock

    £39.99

  • Fancy Knives

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd Fancy Knives

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £23.79

  • The School of Fencing: A Facsimile of Domenico

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries The School of Fencing: A Facsimile of Domenico

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe School of Fencing is a colour facsimile edition of Domenico Angelo’s famous fencing manual of 1765. Such was Angelo's reputation that he numbered several members of the British royal family amongst his clientele, and his Soho-based School of Arms was noted for accepting female students. Featuring an introduction by fencing expert Mark Hillyard, this new facsimile edition includes the parallel English and French text together with all 47 hand-coloured engravings by artist James Gwynn. It is ideal for devotees of fencing, lovers of Georgian high society, students of arms and armour, and historical reenactors and interpreters.

    15 in stock

    £49.50

  • The Art of Rimfire Accuracy

    AuthorHouse The Art of Rimfire Accuracy

    15 in stock

    15 in stock

    £28.04

  • EM36 Warsaw Pact Badges: Europa Militaria Series

    The Crowood Press Ltd EM36 Warsaw Pact Badges: Europa Militaria Series

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisAs the chief rival to NATO from 1955 - 1991, the Warsaw Pact was, and has since remained, a popular subject for military students and historians alike. On the collecting market the vast range of awards, badges and insignia produced during the Cold War has helped to make the national armies of the Warsaw Pact a popular choice with many military specialists. Surprisingly, even though a great deal has been written about the armour, weapons, uniforms and equipment, no comprehensive reference source on the subject of badges has been printed in the English language. Alongside the badges awarded by the land forces, many others are featured that were issued by the navies, air forces, border guards, militias and para-military sports associations of the USSR, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria between 1955 - 1991. For the first time, this book offers the collector a comprehensive reference source that will allow the accurate identification of Warsaw Pact badges, mentioning the various methods of construction employed, variations in design observed according to manufacturer or changes employed over time, and their general availability today.

    Out of stock

    £10.40

  • The Khazars

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Khazars

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFully illustrated with detailed color plates, this is a fascinating study into the armies, organization, armor, weapons, and fortifications of the Khazars. The Khazars were one of the most important Turkic peoples in European history, dominating vast areas of southeastern Europe and the western reaches of the Central Asian steppes from the 4th to the 11th centuries AD. They were also unique in that their aristocratic and military elites converted to Judaism, creating what would be territorially the largest Jewish-ruled state in world history. They became significant allies of the Byzantine Empire, blocking the advance of Islam north of the Caucasus Mountains for several hundred years. They also achieved a remarkable level of metal-working technology, and their military elite wore forms of iron plate armor that would not be seen in Western Europe until the 14th century. The Khazar state provided the foundations upon which medieval Russia and modern Ukraine were builtTable of ContentsIntroduction – the Khazars in the history of Eastern Europe * Chronology of major events * Khazar campaigns: Wars with the Muslim Arabs – Wars with Kievan Russia – Khazars and Magyars: the emergence of the Hungarians * Arms and armour: spears and javelins – battleaxes – swords and sabres – helmets – armour * Fortresses: stone fortifications – timber fortifications * Further reading * Plate commentaries

    4 in stock

    £11.69

  • German Submachine Guns 1918â1945

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd German Submachine Guns 1918â1945

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis

    Out of stock

    £20.69

  • Royal Armouries Guidebook

    Trustees of the Royal Armouries Royal Armouries Guidebook

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £5.99

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