Militaria, arms and armour Books
Trustees of the Royal Armouries Arms and Armour of the Renaissance Joust
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.
£11.69
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Pistol
Book Synopsis
£19.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Roman Mail and Scale Armour
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
£13.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Mauser Rifles Vol. 1
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£19.54
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The M1 Garand
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£19.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Walther Pistols
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
£13.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Luger P.08 Vol. 2
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£20.69
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Luger P.08 Vol. 1
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£19.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Winchester LeverAction Rifles
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
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The German Navy 193545
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
£15.75
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Panzer Feldjacke
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£58.39
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Panzer Feldjacke
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£85.49
The Crowood Press Ltd EM32: British Web Equipment Of The Two World Wars
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.
£10.40
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Broomhandle Mauser
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
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Crossbow
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
£14.39
Boydell & Brewer Ltd Medieval Arms and Armour: a Sourcebook. Volume I:
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
£65.00
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The US M3M3A1 Submachine Gun
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£34.84
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Mauser Rifles Vol. 2 1918â1945
Book SynopsisThe design, manufacturing, development, and combat use of the various Mauser rifle models from 1918 through World War II.
£20.69
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc Gun Collectors Logbook
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:
£12.47
Trustees of the Royal Armouries A Arms and Armour of the Elizabethan Court Arms
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.
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The MAT49 Submachine Gun
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£19.54
Schiffer Publishing Ltd German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols 1871
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£43.99
Trustees of the Royal Armouries Chinese Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series
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.
£11.69
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Yankee Air Pirates US Air Force Uniforms and
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£65.59
Trustees of the Royal Armouries Vickers Flipbook
Book SynopsisThe sequence here shows a MK.I Vickers centrefire automatic machine gun being fired. Sequence shot at the National Firearms Centre in Leeds.
£5.68
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The English Revolver
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£34.84
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Model 1891 Carcano Rifle
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£43.99
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Collectors Guide to Cloth Third Reich
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£62.04
Trustees of the Royal Armouries Indian Arms and Armour Arms and Armour Series
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.
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Fancy Knives
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£23.79
Trustees of the Royal Armouries The School of Fencing: A Facsimile of Domenico
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.
£52.25
AuthorHouse The Art of Rimfire Accuracy
£28.04
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Khazars
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
£11.69
Trustees of the Royal Armouries Royal Armouries Guidebook
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£6.93
Skyhorse Publishing The Illustrated History of Guns: From First
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£14.16
DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley) Firearms An Illustrated History
Book SynopsisTrade Review"[Firearms] is one of the best visual overviews available of the historical development of firearms, with brilliant photography and an emphasis on artistic as well as technological achievements." — Library Journal"Firearms is a coffee-table book guaranteed to provide several evenings' worth of entertaining reading to any gun or history enthusiast in search of a general overview of firearms development." — The Armchair General magazine"Beginning historical novelists who don't know much about firearms in their chosen era will find an excellent introduction in this book. It offers worldwide coverage, not just Western arms, and true to DK's tradition, provides excellent and detailed color photographs of examples of weapons over the centuries." — Historical Novel Society"[A] complete historical overview illustrated with excellent photography." — American Gunsmith
£36.00
Hali Publications Ltd Arms and Armour Of India, Nepal & Sri Lanka::
Book SynopsisAn introduction and overview to the arms and armor of the Indian region. The book is designed for easy use with pull out details from objects and timelines, maps and explanations of design details. Arms & Armour Of India, Nepal & Sri Lanka is a very visually-driven and broad-based introduction to the unique world of arms and armor of the Indian region, encompassing India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, areas with strong martial traditions. It provides an overview of types of arms and armor, with extensive geographical and historical context with many illustrated maps, their decoration and methods of adornment, as well as the iconographic and religious symbology. A unique and valuable feature of the book is an illustrated glossary. It is specifically designed to suit the needs of anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with this topic and the region. It can serve as a reference for the novice collector, and as an image resource for experts. This would include anyone interested in arms and armor in general, antique dealers, museums, general art market, educators, and of course, collectors. There has been increased interest in both collecting and scholarship regarding Indic arms and armor. Nearly every major auction on Indian and Islamic material tends to include arms and armor.Table of ContentsContents: Introduction; Terra Indica; Warfare In The Early Centuries; History: The Essentials; Steel, Trade And Distant Influences; Arms; Armour; Tribal Arms And Armour; Nepal; Sri Lanka; Decoration; Symbolism; Extraordinary Exemplars; Illustrated Glossary; Resources; Tips On Collecting; Museums/Collections; Further Reading; Index.
£40.50
Trustees of the Royal Armouries Sten Flipbook
Book SynopsisThe sequence here shows Royal Armouries' Keeper of Firearms Jonathan Ferguson firing a Sten MK II centrefire automatic submachine gun. Sequence shot at the National Firearms Centre in Leeds.
£5.68
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Sons of Guns
Book SynopsisSons of Guns is the official tie-in to Discovery's hit show starring Will Hayden, founder and owner of Red Jacket Firearms, the Louisiana-based family business which has been called the nation's most unique custom weapons shop. With characteristic down-home wit and wisdom, Hayden tells the stories behind some of the best episodes of the show. He talks about his all-time favorite weapons, what it takes to modify a normal, run-of-the-mill rifle into a world-class work of art, guns in America (their construction, their history, and using them responsibly), and the trials and tribulations of creating a successful family-owned firearms business.If there's one thing folks from Louisiana can do, says Hayden, it's tell a hell of a story. Sons of Guns is the next best thing to sitting around the campfire with Hayden and his crew, listening to him recount his favorites.
£14.44
Cambridge University Press The GunFounders of England
Book SynopsisThis 1937 book provides an authentic sketch of the history of English gun production, from their first use in the fourteenth century down to the time of Marlborough's campaigns in the early eighteenth century. This will be of value to anyone interested in English history and the development of guns.Table of ContentsPreface Lord Cottesloe; Author's preface; Plates; Illustrations in text; 1. Introduction; 2. Manufacture; 3. Guns of iron and brass; 4. Gun-foundries in London and Calais; 5. Foundries of Douai and Woolwich; 6. Foundries of Sussex; 7. The Carron Foundry; 8. Powder and shot; 9. Proof and range; 10. Extracts from historical documents; 11. List of gun-founders of England and the Continent; 12. Bibliography; 13. Index.
£34.12
Anness Publishing Swords and Sabres The World Encyclopedia of
Book SynopsisThis beautifully presented book traces the history of swords, sabres, spears and lances from Paleolithic origins to the twentieth-century, featuring more than 500 examples from around the world.
£13.50
DK Gun
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£17.99
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Tiger Patterns
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£51.19
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Toy Soldiers and Figures Schiffer Book for
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£43.99
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Antique Swords Daggers Schiffer Book for
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£58.39
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Double Barrel
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£31.44
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Drilling
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£36.79
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Bowbuilders Book
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£25.59
