Weapons and equipment Books

Book SynopsisWhile Germany and Austria-Hungary were well-equipped with sniping rifles in 1914, their Allied opponents were not. This highly illustrated volume tells the inside story of the rifles carried by snipers of all the major powers during World War I.Although military sharpshooting had existed since the 18th century, in 1914 only the German and Austro-Hungarian armies fielded trained snipers armed with scoped rifles. Thus upon the outbreak of World War I, the Allied armies found themselves on the receiving end of a shooting war to which they had no means of response. Only the Canadians brought a dedicated sniping rifle into the trenches, but in small numbers. For the British, although production of a suitable rifle and scope were settled on quickly, the establishment of sniper training was difficult and its success was mostly due to the efforts of a handful of dedicated officers. The French eventually introduced a competent scoped rifle and a sniper training system, as did the ItalianTrade ReviewSpread throughout the book are plenty of archive images, plus some modern photos illustrating preserved examples of the various types of rifle and sight, along with some super artwork which does include some lovely cross-sections showing the mechanism of examples such as the Enfield Model 1917, Mauser GEW 98 and Ross rifles. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of the often-overlooked gunnery duels between the formidable artillery weapons in the Atlantic Wall defences and the mighty US and Royal Navy battleships.Amphibious landings were an essential tool of Allied military strategy in World War II. The Royal Navy and the US Navy provided operational mobility that allowed the Allies to strike unexpectedly across the vast coastlines of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Nazi Germany did not have sufficient naval power to seriously contest this, and consequently relied heavily on the huge and costly Atlantic Wall fortification programme. By 1944, the French coast featured more than 1,900 coastal guns over 75mm in calibre. At the heart of this fascinating book by renowned military historian Steven J. Zaloga is the clash between Batterie Hamburg (defending Cherbourg) and the Allied naval bombardment group led by the battleship USS Texas on 25 June 1944. Stunning artworks reveal details of theTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development The Combatants The Strategic Situation Combat Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of premier US anti-ship missile, the AGM/RGM-84 Harpoon, and its 1986 and '88 uses against Libyan and Iranian naval vessels.In this study, defence technology expert Lon Nordeen details the role played by the Harpoon missile in two Cold War flare-ups in the 1980s. The Harpoon was the first tactical anti-ship missile developed by the US Navy to provide a counter to the anti-ship missiles exported around the world by the Soviet Union and China. It was deployed on ships, aircraft, submarines and land vehicles and soon became the most widely used anti-ship missile system in the West, with 7,000+ having been produced since 1977, operated by the military forces of more than 30 nations. This exciting book explores the engagements of the Harpoon by the US Navy against its Libyan and Iranian adversaries, using original photographs and specially commissioned artwork to examine the naval systems and weapons employed by both counterparts. Drawing upon Table of Contents(Subject to Confirmation) Introduction Chronology Design and Development Doctrine, Tactics, Leadership, Deployment of Forces The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisCataphracts were the most heavily armoured shock cavalry on the ancient battlefield, predating the knights of Western Europe by over 1000 years.

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Book SynopsisComprehensive coverage of all German WW2 anti-tank vehicles.

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Book SynopsisThrough historic photos, this volume traces the development, production and deployment of this iconic piece of military equipment from the drawing boards to the Cold War battlefields of Europe.

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Book SynopsisHow did technical advances in weaponry alter the battlefield during the reign of Queen Victoria? In 1845, in the first Anglo-Sikh War, the outcome was decided by the bayonet; just over fifty years later, in the second Boer War, the combatants were many miles apart. How did this transformation come about, and what impact did it have on the experience of the soldiers of the period? Stephen Manning, in this meticulously researched and vividly written study, describes the developments in firepower and, using the first-hand accounts of the soldiers, shows how their perception of battle changed. Innovations like the percussion and breech-loading rifle influenced the fighting in the Crimean War of the 1850s and the colonial campaigns of the 1870s and 1880s, in particular in the Anglo-Zulu War and the wars in Egypt and Sudan. The machine gun was used to deadly effect at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, and equally dramatic advances in artillery took warfare into a new era of tactics and organisation. Stephen Manning's work provides the reader with an accurate and fascinating insight into a key aspect of nineteenth-century military history.

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Book SynopsisWeapons of myth and scandal, that is the best way to describe the spigot weapons deployed by the British in the Second World War. Unlike conventional mortars, a spigot mortar does not have a barrel through with the round is fired. Instead, the general concept involves a steel rod - the 'spigot' - onto which the bomb is placed before it is fired. This design was, as David Lister reveals, the basis of a number of successful weapons used during the Second World War. The myth of the PIAT man-portable anti-tank weapon is, for example, tied closely to British paratroopers struggling in the ruins of Arnhem with an inadequate design, one inferior to the German equivalent. Similarly, the myth of the Blacker Bombard is of a useless weapon, one of dubious quality, that was dumped on the unsuspecting Home Guard. In reality, neither scenario is the case. Both weapons were devastating creations of war, often superior to any other nation's counterpart. At sea, the Hedgehog anti-submarine weapon was another powerful spigot weapon. It was undoubtedly capable of sweeping the U-boats from the sea and even winning the Battle of the Atlantic before it had really begun. That it did not is one of the great scandals of the Second World War, one hidden by wartime secrecy until now. In _Defeating the Panzer-Stuka Menace_ the author explores a large number of spigot weapons from the Second World War, many of which were created by the fertile mind of one of Britain's great weapon inventors, Latham Valentine Stewart Blacker.

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Book SynopsisThe history of weapons and warfare is usually written about from the point of view of the battles fought and the tactics used. In naval warfare, in particular, the story of how these weapons were invented, designed and supplied is seldom told. Chris Henry, in this pioneering study, sets the record straight. He describes how, to counter the extraordinary threat posed by the U-boats in the world wars, the Royal Navy responded with weapons that kept open the vital supply routes of the Atlantic Ocean. He also celebrates the remarkable achievements of the engineers and inventors whose inspired work was essential to Britain's survival.

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Book SynopsisThe history of warfare cannot be fully understood without considering the technology of killing. In Firepower, acclaimed historian Paul Lockhart tells the story of military technology from the Renaissance to the dawn of the atomic era -- five-hundred-year-long "age of firepower" during which the evolution of weaponry transformed the conduct of warfare in the West.Weapons technology had always influenced warfare. But the introduction of gunpowder weapons at the close of the Middle Ages made military technology the largest single factor shaping warfare's tactics, strategy, and logistics. Over the five centuries leading up to World War II, the art of war revolved around the ever-more-effective delivery of firepower, and the driving force of weapons development was the compulsion to make that possible. But for centuries, even as it became more effective, military weaponry remained simple and affordable enough that nearly any state could afford to equip a respectable army; weapons could be used and used again until they physically wore out. That all changed, very suddenly, around 1870. Widespread industrialization and rapid advances in metallurgy and chemistry meant that by the start of World War I, only a handful of great powers could afford to manufacture their own weapons. Revolutions in military technology, in short, triggered a revolution in the structure of power in the West, significantly reducing the number of nations that could act assertively in international politics -- and reducing the others to a condition of permanent subordination.Going beyond the battlefield to consider the profound political and social contexts of armed conflict, Firepower ultimately reveals how the evolution of weapons technology, and the uses to which it has been put, have together transformed human history.

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Book SynopsisThis latest in the Casemate Illustrated series explores American armor during the Pacific Campaign of WWII, from 1942-45. During this period there were over twenty major tank battles and operations where tanks provided heavy support to infantry units. These operations include the battle of Tarawa and the Bougainville Campaign. Relying heavily on first-person accounts, the strategies and tactics of the opposing forces are discussed.This book also looks at the Pacific theater, and how American armor was employed with great success in that theater of war. Detailed information on American and Japanese armored forces, including development, equipment, capabilities, organization, and order of battle, is given.Trade Review...an excellent little survey of tank warfare in the Pacific. Guardia’s narrative sticks closely to tank operations and he does not get bogged down in detail – he allows his profile pages to do that work. * Wargames Illustrated 12/04/2021 *This is a very fine work with great attention to detail, interwoven with first-hand accounts and Unit Profiles to give more infromation about the forces involved. * Gun Mart *This should be interesting for history fans and modelers who would like to have more references...it will also make a nice addition to your library. * DetailScaleView *

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Book SynopsisSpecifically designed as a reconnaissance vehicle, the Ford M8 Light Armored Car was intended primarily for use by mechanized cavalry units. A total of 8,523 units were built. Able to move quickly and cover long distances without refuelling, they supported the advance of armored columns by undertaking reconnaissance. Though the thin floor armor made it vulnerable to mines, the M8 served in Europe and the Pacific until the end of the war. Derived from the M8 series, 3,791 M20 Armored Utility cars were built. The M20 was designed without a turret, enabling its use for more specialized purposes such as carrying personnel or artillery spotting. While the project to build the M8 launched in 1941, the first armored cars were only received by the army in March 1943. An Ordnance Department officer, Lt. J. R. Muray, is tasked with being the link between the various components of the army and the industrialists. Throughout the process of creation and production, Muray kept his notes, reports and letters - 1,500 pages of archives have enabled the author to faithfully retrace the process of creating these cars, from the first draft to the end production in June 1945.Table of ContentsContents The Genesis of Light Armored Cars The M8 Light Armored Car The M20 Utility Armored Car Commonalities Use in Europe Appendixes Bibliography Acknowledgements

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisFrom the American Civil War and the introduction of the metal cartridge in the 1860s up to the present day, The Encyclopedia of Weapons is an accessible reference guide to the most important small arms, armoured vehicles, aircraft and ships from all around the world. The book ranges from the first Gatling guns to favourites such as the Lee Enfield rifle and the AK-47; in terms of aircraft the book includes World War I biplanes, World War II’s Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighter and on to modern stealth aircraft; in naval weaponry the book features early ironclad submarines, classic ships such as Bismarck and the nuclear subs of today; from the first tanks on the Western Front in World War I, such as the Mark V Male, the book covers the development of armoured fighting vehicles, featuring such classics as the Soviet T-34 and modern tanks like the M1 Abrams. With an entry per page, each weapon is illustrated with two colour artworks – some of them cutaways – a colour or black-&-white photograph, an authoritative history on its development, production and service history and a box of essential specifications. Featuring more than 400 entries, The Encyclopedia of Weapons is a fascinating reference work on the most important tanks, guns, military ships and aircraft over the past 150 years.Table of ContentsIntroduction TANKS & AFVs Mark V Male (1917) Whippet (1917) Renault FT-17 Sturmpanzerwagen A7V (1918) Vickers 6-ton (1928) BT-5 (1932) Type 95 Kyugo Light Tank (1934) T-35 (1935) Panzer II Ausf F (1936) Somua S35 Char B1 bis (1937) Type 97 Chi-Ha Panzer 38(t) (1938) Mk III Valentine Infantry Tank (1939) Panzer III Ausf F (1940) StuG III KV-1A Heavy Tank (1940) Panzer IV Ausf F1 (1941) Mk VI Crusader I Cruiser Tank (1941) Churchill Mk IV (1941) M3A3 Stuart (1941) M3A3 General Lee (1941) T-70 (1942) T-34 Model 1943 (1942) Panzer VI Tiger Ausf E (1942) M4A4 Sherman (1942) Semovente DA 75/18 Panzer V Panther Ausf D (1943) KV-85 Heavy Tank (1943) M26 Pershing Churchill AVRE (1943) Churchill Crocodile T-34/85 (1944) Sherman Crab Mine-Clearing Tank (1944) Sherman VC Firefly (1944) Cromwell Mk VIII (1944) Tiger II ‘King Tiger’ (1944) Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger (1944) M-24 Chaffee (1944) Sturmmorser Tiger IS-3 (1945) Centurion A41 (1945) T-54/55 (1947) M41 Walker Bulldog AMX-13 (1952) M-48 Patton (1952) PT-76 (1952) M-60 Patton (1960) T-62 (1961) Chieftain Mk5 (1963) Leopard 1 (1965) M551 Sheridan (1966) Stridsvagn 103B (1967) Scimitar (1970) T -72 (1971) Merkava (1977) Leopard 2 (1979) M2 Bradley (1981) Challenger 1 (1982) Stingray (1989) M1A1 Abrams (1985) AMX-56 Leclerc (1991) T-90 (1992) M1A2 Abrams (1996) Type 99 (1998) Challenger 2 (1998) Arjun (2004) K2 Black Panther (2013) T -14 Armata Autoblinde Peugeot (1914) Panhard Type 178 (1935) SdKfz 232 SdKfz 251 SdKfz 234 Puma AEC Armoured Car Mk III T -17E1 Staghound I LVT-4 Water Buffalo Panhard EBR/FL-11 (1954) M113 (1954) M50 Ontos BMP-1 (1961) BTR-60 Saladin Marder BTR-70 (1972) LAV-25 (1983) BTR-80 (1984) Pandur (1985) Warrior MICV (1986) Centauro Ratel BMP-3 (1990) Type 89 (1991) AAV7 BTR-90 (2004) Stryker Viking BvS10 Bulldog IFV ARTILLERY & MORTARS Canone de 75 Mle 1897 (1897) Ordnance QF 13pdr (1904) Ordnance BL 60pdr Mk 1 77mm M96nA (1905) Ordnance QF 4.5in howitzer (1908) Skoda 305mm Howitzer Canon de 105mm Schneider Mle 1913 (1913) Big Bertha (1914) Paris Gun (1918) 105mm leFH 18 (1927) 15cm (5.9in) sFH 18 Katyusha rocket launcher Wurfgranate 41 122mm (4.8in) Howitzer Model 1938 (M-30) 15cm (5.9in) SIG 33 105mm Howitzer M2A1 (1941) Ordnance QF 25 pdr Mk 2 152mm Howitzer M1943 (1943) 105mm Howitzer M3 (1945) OTO-Melara 105mm Mod 56 (late 1950s) BM-21 rocket launcher D-30 Howitzer M109 155mm SP gun 2S3 (Soviet) Soltam M68 Gun (1968) 155mm Howitzer FH-70 (1974) 105mm Light Gun L118 (1976) 155mm Howitzer M198 (1978) M270 MLRS 2S19 Mista (Soviet) M777 Howitzer (2005) 40mm Bofors L/60 (1929) 88mm Flak 18 (1933) 3.7in QF Gun Mk 1 (1937) 3.7cm Flak 36 20mm Flak 38 (1939) Oerlikon 20mm (1939) 90mm M1 (1940) ZSU-23-4 Gepard M167 Vulcan (1961) 5cm Pak 38 (1940) 7.5cm Pak 40 (1940) 3in Gun M5 (1940) Ordnance QF 17pdr Gun (1942) 76.2mm M1942 (1942) ZiS-3 Ordnance ML 3in Mortar (1932) SGrW 34 81mm Mortar (1934) M1938 120mm Mortar (1938) 60mm Mortar M1 (1941) M224A1 Mortar (2011) M120 Mortar System AIRCRAFT, HELICOPTERS & DRONES Fokker E series (1915) Sopwith Camel (1916) Nieuport 17 (1916) SE.5a (1916) Fokker Dr.1 (1917) SPAD XIII (1917) Polikarpov I-16 (1934) Messerschmitt Bf 109 (1935) Hawker Hurricane (1935) A5M Claude Supermarine Spitfire (1936) Douglas SBD Dauntless (1938) Mitsubishi A6M Zero (1939) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (1939) North American P-51 Mustang (1940) Yakovlev Yak-1/3/7/9 (1940) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1941) Grumman F6F Hellcat (1942) Vought F4U Corsair (1942 Messerschmitt Me 262 (1942) Northrop P-61 Black Widow (1942) Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star (1944) MiG 15 (1947) North American F-86 Sabre (1949) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (1950) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (1955) McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (1958) Mirage III (1961) Grumman F-14 Tomcat (1970) Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (1974) Panavia Tornado (1974) Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’ (1977) Mikoyan MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ (1977) Dassault Mirage 2000 (1978) McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (1978) Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle (1986) Dassault Rafale (1986) Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (1990) Eurofighter Typhoon (1994) Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (2006) Breguet XIX Junkers Ju 87 Stuka (1935) Junkers Ju 88 (1936) Messerschmitt Bf 110 (1936) Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik (1939) De Havilland Mosquito (1940) SBD-3 Dauntless (1940) Hawker Typhoon (1942) General Dynamics F-111 (1964) Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II (1972) McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II (1978) Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk (1981) Gotha bombers (1917) Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1935) North American B-25 Mitchell (1939) Avro Lancaster (1941) B-24 Liberator (1941) Boeing B-29 Superfortress (1944) English Electric Canberra Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1952) Avro Vulcan (1952) Tupolev TU-95 (1956) Tupolev Tu-22M (1972) Northrop B-2 Spirit (1989) Douglas C-47 Skytrain (1935) Consolidated Catalina (1936) Me 323 Gigant Lockheed C-130 Hercules (1954) Lockheed SR-71 ‘Blackbird’ (1962) Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (1968) E-3 Sentry UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) AH-64 Apache Mi-24 'Hind' UH-60 Black Hawk MQ-1 Predator (1991) RQ-4 Global Hawk (1998) MQ-9 Reaper (2001) MQ-8B Fire Scout (2009) WARSHIPS, AIRCRAFT CARRIERS & SUBMARINES CSS Hunley (1863) Gustav Zede (1893 USS Holland (1897) B-Class (1904) U-9 (1910) HMS E-11 (1914) Deutschland (1916) UC-25 (1916) Surcouf (1929) USS Nautilus (V-6) (1930) U-47 (Type VIIB) (1938) U-459 (Type XIV) (1941) Type XXI I-400 USS Tench (1944) USS Nautilus (1954) Sturgeon Class (1966) HMS Resolution (1966) Project 705 Lira USS Ohio USS Los Angeles (1974) Le Triomphant (1994) Kursk (1994) USS Seawolf (1995) Type 039 (Song) (1999) Dolphin Class (1999) Astute Class (2007) Type 094 (Jin Class) (2007) Soryu (2009) INS Arihant (2015) HMS Furious (1917) HMS Eagle (1924) Akagi (1927) USS Lexington (1927) Hiryu (1937) USS Yorktown (1937) USS Enterprise (1938) HMS Ark Royal (1938) Jun’yo (1942) USS Lexington (1943) USS Intrepid (1943) Shinano (1944) USS Midway (1945) HMS Eagle (1951) USS Forrestal (1955) HMS Hermes/INS Viraat (1959) Clemenceau (1960) USS Enterprise (1961) HMS Fearless (1965) USS Nimitz (1975) Kiev (1975) USS Tarawa HMS Invincible (1980) Admiral Kuznetsov (1995) HMS Ocean (1998) Charles de Gaulle (2001) USS Ronald R. Reagan (2003) Liaoning (2012) HMAS Canberra (2014) Izumo (2015) HMS Queen Elizabeth (2017) USS Gerald R. Ford (2017) INS Vikrant (2018) USS Monadnock HMS Devastation Imperator Alexander II USS Maine Mikasa HMS Dreadnought Vittorio Emanuele HMS Indomitable USS South Carolina USS Utah SMS Derfflinger HMS Royal Oak USS Texas Fuso HMS Hood HMS Rodney KMS Deutschland/Lutzow KMS Scharnhorst De Ruyter Hipper class heavy cruiser Richelieu (1940) KMS Bismarck Vittorio Veneto Yamato Tirpitz USS Indiana USS Iowa Moskva class Sovremennyy class Kirov Type 23 frigate Type 22 Broadsword Visby class Ticonderoga class Arleigh Burke class Type 45 destroyer SMALL ARMS Adams revolver Colt M1860 and M1861 Borchardt C/93 Mauser C/96 Webley & Scott Mk IV and Mk VI Pistole Parabellum Colt M1911 Colt Detective Special Browning GP35 HP (1935) Walther P38 Beretta 92 Glock 17 Desert Eagle pistol SiG P320 Chassepot rifle Dreyse Needle Gun Martini-Henry Mosin-Nagant SMLE (1903) M1903 Springfield (1903) Kar 98k (1935) M1 Garand (1936) M1 Carbine (1942) FG 42 (1942) StG 44 AK-47/AKM (1949) EM2 FN FAL/L1A1 SLR (1954) M14 rifle (1959) Heckler & Koch G3 (1959) CETME Model 58 M16 rifle (1963) M21 sniper rifle (1969) Galil rifle (1973) AK-74 (1974) Steyr AUG (1977) FAMAS (1978) PSG 1 sniper rifle Vektor R4 Dragunov M16A2 (and Colt Commando) SA80 (1985) Barrett M82A1 (1989) M4 Carbine (1994) Heckler & Koch G36 (1995) OICW QBZ-03 (2003) M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (2008) FN SCAR (2009) AK103 AK-12 (2010) M27 IAR Bergmann MP 18 (1918) Thompson M1928 MP 38/MP 40 MAS 38 Sten Mk 2 PPSh-41 Austen SMG M3A1 ‘Grease Gun’ Sterling L2A1 Uzi Heckler & Koch MP5 BXP SMG Calico M950 + M960A P90 PDW Gatling Gun (1878) Madsen Maxim M1910 (Maschinengewehr 08) Lewis Gun (1911) Vickers Machine Gun (1912) Hotchkiss M1914 BAR M1919 Browning (1919) M2 Browning .50 cal (1933) MG 34 (1936) Bren Gun (1938) MG 42 (1942) RPD machine gun (1953) RPK M60 machine gun (1957) FN MAG (1958) PK machine gun (1961) L86A1 LSW FN Minimi CETME Ameli Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisThe "Gladiatoria" group of German fencing manuscripts are several editions of a treatise on armoured foot combat, specifically aimed at duel fighting. Gloriously-illustrated, and replete with substantial commentary, these works are some of the greatest achievements in the corpus of late medieval fight books. These works have both tremendous artistic merit and incalculable historical value. In this remarkable full colour volume, authors Dierk Hagedorn and Bart?omiej Walczak elegantly present their work on the copy of this treatise now in the Yale Center for British Art, including a reproduction of the manuscript, a full transcription, and translations into English. The work includes a foreword by Sydney Anglo which explains how the work shows a highly sophisticated pedagogical system of movement and applauds the editors for presenting the material in a clear and practical way. Additional essays discuss other aspects of the manuscript - including a tale of Dierk Hagedorn's adventures tracking down the manuscript.

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Book SynopsisDuring the Second World War, the Germans considered the Royal Artillery to be the most professional arm of the British Army: British gunners were accurate, effective and efficient, and provided fire support for their armoured and infantry colleagues that was better than that in any other army.However, the Royal Artillery delivered much more than field and medium artillery battlefield support. Gunner regiments manned antitank guns on the front line and light anti-aircraft guns in divisional regiments to defend against air attack at home and abroad. The Royal Artillery also helped to protect convoys that brought essential supplies to Britain, and AA gunners had their finest hour when they destroyed the majority of the V-1 flying bombs launched against Britain from June 1944.Richard Doherty delves into the wide-ranging role of the Royal Artillery, examining its state of preparedness in 1939, the many developments that were introduced during the war – including aerial observation and self-propelled artillery – the growth of the regiment and its effectiveness in its many roles. Royal Artillery in the Second World War is a comprehensive account of a British Army regiment that played a vital role in the ensuing Allied victory.

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Book SynopsisA detailed glimpse into the weapons, equipment and uniforms worn by Roman Centurions from the Roman Kingdom right through to the height of the Republic. Including new research, photographs of artefacts and the signature Men-at-Arms artwork, this is an essential addition to the series and includes several artwork reconstructions of actual named individuals and two lavish scenes depicting combat between Centurions and a Triumphal procession.Table of ContentsIntroduction: origins - service /The Age of Kings: centurions in the army of Servius Tullius /Early Consular period: centurions in the Punic Wars /Later Consular period: centurions in the Roman civil wars /Arms and equipment: helmets - armour - weapons - shields - rank symbols - clothing

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Book SynopsisThis work is a history of the US M3 halftrack, one of the most successful infantry vehicles in the history of armoured warfare, which came to symbolize the Allied armed forces of World War II, which also saw distinguished service in the post-war era. The book describes its development and combat history since the 1960s, and includes contemporary photographs, and detailed colour plates and cut-aways.Table of ContentsDesign and Development · Early Combat · The MsA1/M3A1 Half-tracks · Tactical Improvements · Half-tracks in Combat - 1944 · International Half-tracks · Half-Track Variants

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Book SynopsisTreasures of the Royal Armouries is a photographic journey through Britain’s national museum of arms and armour. It reflects the diversity of the Royal Armouries’ collection, which was assembled over many centuries at the Tower of London and now spans the ancient world to the present day. At the core of this journey is the museum’s unparalleled group of Tudor armours which derive from the Greenwich Armoury of Henry VIII, but European swords, paintings and manuscripts are equally well-represented. Stunning pieces from Asia are included, as are key items from the national collection of firearms, started in 1631 by Charles I and now housed at the National Firearms Centre, as well as larger guns from the National Artillery Centre at Fort Nelson. Each of the 115 entries tell compelling stories, tracing the histories of individuals, campaigns and cultures across millennia. They also consider the place of arms in an increasingly turbulent world and the new challenges that technology presents to a modern army. Treasures of the Royal Armouries is a lavishly illustrated account of some of the most interesting pieces of arms and armour in existence.

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Book SynopsisThe samurai sword: a symbol of the spirit of old Japan, it embodies the samurai's steel discipline, unswerving devotion and peerless skill. With its creation, a feat of craftsmanship passed down by generations of artisans; the samurai sword is considered by most to be superior even to the famed blades of Western Damascus and Toledo. The Samurai Sword Handbook is a precise exploration of the samurai sword designed for sword collectors as well as anyone intrigued by these ancient blades. Detailing the origins and development of the samurai sword, its historical background, styles, prestigious schools and differences in construction, this revised edition of the classic reference outlines methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly. This must-have for sword lovers is sure to be a bestseller.Topics of this Samurai book include: Japanese History and the Samurai Sword Types of swords Parts of the sword Blade shape, construction, and grain The making of the sword Inscriptions and their readings Care and maintenance Appraisal and value Relative point values Trade Review"This book, written by one of the foremost authorities outside Japan, is the first of this subject in English. it should find many readers since there are now more of these swords in America than in Japan due to United States servicemen's interest in them. --New York World Telegraph and Sun"If you happen to have a samurai sword, John Yumoro's book will help you to determine its category. Whether you have one or not, it will give you all the romance of its background." --San Francisco Chronicle"At long last, an American has produced a handbook on Japanese words aimed at an American market. It is a 'must' for anyone interested in Japanese blades and by far the best single reference volume for those who are not specialists." --Military Collector & Historian

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Book SynopsisThis new photo album is number 28 in the MMP Books/Stratus "Camera On" series. It is the first to cover in such photographic detail the German usage of both the 2 cm Flak 28 and the Flak 30. Both of these weapons saw extensive action on all battle fronts of the Second World War wherever the German armed forces saw service. While they were both excellent weapons at their time of development, they both rapidly became less effective as ever faster and higher flying aircraft were produced by Germany's enemies.This book contains 140+ photographs taken by the average German soldier of both the 2 cm Flak 28 and 30 as well as their crews while in service and many of the environments they had to operate within. This volume illustrates these weapons as the soldiers themselves viewed them in both their fighting environment and, in many cases, just as a tool they lived with and had to look after on a daily basis, not the highly polished and sanitized views of the official photographers. This book is an invaluable reference for military historians and modelers alike.

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Book SynopsisThe history of the little-known yet controversial T-80 and its subsequent variants. The Soviet T-80 Standard Tank was the last tank fielded before the Soviet collapse, and the most controversial. Despite having the most sophisticated fire controls and multi-layer armor ever fielded on a Soviet tank, its turbine power plant (rather than a conventional diesel) remained a source of considerable trouble throughout its career. Steven J Zaloga charts the little-known history of the T-80, covering the initial construction, through the development to the subsequent variants, the T-84 and Russia’s enigmatic “Black Eagle Tank.” Accompanying detailed cut-away artwork illustrates the unusual design features that made the T-80 so controversial.Table of ContentsIntroduction · Design and Development · Construction · Variants · Service History · Conclusion · Colour Plate Commentary · Bibliography · Index

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Book SynopsisThe introduction of the scutum in the 4th century BC revolutionized the way the Romans fought. Instead of being purely defensive, the shield became a weapon in its own right. Using the top edge or boss to punch an opponent, or the lower rim to smash down on their feet, it served to unbalance an enemy and allow the sword to do its work. The versatility of the scutum was characterized by the testudo, a formation the Romans used offensively like a pedestrian tank. Meanwhile, other shield types equipped the auxiliaries who fought alongside the legionaries. The curved, rectangular scutum survived into the 3rd century AD, only to be replaced by an oval, slightly domed shield derived from the oval shields of Early Imperial auxiliaries.Drawing together historical accounts, excavated artefacts and the results of the latest scientific analyses of the boards and fittings, renowned authority M.C. Bishop reveals the development, technology, training and use ofTable of ContentsIntroduction Legionary Shields Auxiliary Shields Gladiatorial Shields Manufacture and Decoration Use Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA multidisciplinary overview of current research into the enduringly fascinating martial artefact which is the sword. The sword is the most iconic of all weapons. Throughout history, it has connected various, sometimes conflicting, dimensions of human culture: physical combat and representation of political power, definition of gender roles and refinement of body techniques, evolution of craftsmanship and mythological symbolism. The articles collected here explore these dimensions, from a variety of disciplines, among them archaeology, medieval history, museum conservation, and linguistics. They cover topics from the production and combat use of Bronze Age swords via medieval fencing culture to the employment of the sword in modern military. They question traditional sword typologies and wide-spread theories about sword making, discuss medieval sword terminology and the use of swords as royal insignia, and describe the scientific methods for approaching original finds. Arising from an international conference held at Deutsches Klingenmuseum Solingen (the German Blade Museum), the volume provides fresh insights into the forms the sword can take, and the thoughts it inspires. LISA DEUTSCHER and MIRJAM E. KAISER work in prehistoric archaeology, specialising in La Tène and Bronze Age swords, respectively. SIXT WETZLER is the deputy director of the German Blade Museum; his research focuses on the history of edged weapons, and their use. Contributors:Matthias Johannes Bauer, Holger Becker, Jan-Heinrich Bunnefeld, Rachel J. Crellin, Vincenzo D'Ercole, Andrea Dolfini, Raphael Hermann, Daniel Jaquet, Robert W. Jones, Ulrich Lehmann, Claus Lipka, Stefan Maeder, Michael Mattner, Florian Messner, Nicole Mölk, Ingo Petri, Stefan Roth, Fabrizio Savi, Ulrike Töchterle, Iason-Eleftherios Tzouriadis, Marion Uckelmann, Henry YallopTrade Review[The] contributions...combine to provide many insights into sword form, use and meaning across a wide prehistoric to early modern timeframe. * MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY *This book is likely to be of interest to scholars, as well as serious sword enthusiasts, reenactors, and reproduction swordsmiths. -- H-NET REVIEWSTable of ContentsForeword Preface "What is the Riddle of Steel?": Problems of Classification and Terminology in the Study of Late Medieval Swords - Iason-Eleftherios Tzouriadis Challenging Typologies: Swords in the Utrecht Psalter - Stefan Maeder "...schirmen mit Federklingen": Towards a Terminology of Fencing Swords (1400-1600) - Daniel Jaquet Phosphoric Iron and Welded Patterns: The Reconstruction of an Early Medieval Sword from Beckum - Ulrich Lehmann Phosphoric Iron and Welded Patterns: The Reconstruction of an Early Medieval Sword from Beckum - Stefan Roth Phosphoric Iron and Welded Patterns: The Reconstruction of an Early Medieval Sword from Beckum - Claus Lipka Material and Properties of VLFBERHT Swords - Ingo Petri A Sword from the Rhine: Restoration, Examination and Classification of a Chance Find - Holger Becker The Highest Art of Smithery: Research on a Tyrolean Sword - Florian Messner and Ulrike Töchterle The Battle for Glory: Form and Function of Early Nordic Bronze Age Swords - Jan-Heinrich Bunnefeld The Iron Sword from the "Warrior's Grave" in Lanuvium - Fabrizio Savi The Swords of the Italic Kings - Vincenzo D'Ercole The Three Treasures in One Blade: Thoughts on a Rare Form of the Japanese Sword - Michael Mattner ".j. veel feble fauchon dil anxien temps." The Selection of the Falchion as Symbol of Tenure: Form, Function and Symbolism - Robert W. Jones The Way of the Northmen: The Development of the Norman Sword from Duke Rollo in Normandy to Emperor Frederick II in Sicily from the Tenth to the Thirteenth Century - Nicole Mölk Researching Bronze Age Swordsmanship: Experiments and Wear Analysis - Raphael Hermann and Andrea Dolfini and Rachel J. Crellin and Marion Uckelmann Egenolff's Fight Book: Form and Thought, Then and Now - Matthias Johannes Bauer A Sword for a System: The Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sword - Henry Yallop Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisGerman Machine Guns of the Second World War is a highly illustrated record of the German war machine between 1939 - 1945. Many of the photographs, all from the authors collection, come originally from the albums of individuals who took part in the war. Arranged by theatre chronologically, the book analyses the development of the machine gun and describes how the Germans carefully utilised weapons such as the MG34 and the much vaunted MG42 into both offensive and defensive roles. Supported by a host of other machine guns like the MP28, MP38/40 and the lethal Sturmgerher 44, it depicts how these formidable machine guns fought against an ever increasing enemy threat. Using over 250 rare and unpublished photographs together with detailed captions and accompanying text, this book provides a unique insight into German weaponry from early Blitzkrieg campaigns to the final demise of the Nazi empire.

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Book SynopsisWorld War II saw the appearance of numerous revolutionary armaments on both sides of the conflict that would radically change the nature of warfare, from jet aircraft to the ballistic missile and the atomic bomb. The greatest conflagration in history also saw the conception of the first surface-to-air guided missile systems: technology pioneered by German scientists and engineers through an extensive development programme which ran from 1942 to 1945. Although the programme did not achieve its main objective – to introduce a functional weapon system into the Luftwaffe air defence network – German research and development in most aspects of the technology was ahead of comparable research in the United Kingdom and the United States.The history of the transfer of German SAM technology to the Allies after 1945 has previously been overshadowed by the well-published transfers of the V-1 and V-2 guided missiles. This book presents the first complete history of Germany’s wartime development of surface-to-air missile (SAM) technology, how the Allies acquired this secret research towards the end of World War II in Europe and in the early postwar period, and how they then exploited this knowledge.

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Book SynopsisThis is the absorbing story of the development, combat use and legacy of the influential sidearms used by the armed forces of the Soviet Union. Featuring archive and present-day photography and specially commissioned artwork, this is the story of the pistols that armed the forces of the Soviet Union and its allies during and after World War II. In 1930 the TT, a single-action semi-automatic pistol developed by Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev and firing 7.62×25mm ammunition, began to supplement the venerable Nagant M1895 revolver in Soviet military service. From 1933 the TT-33, a simplified version, was also issued; all three would equip Soviet and proxy forces throughout and after World War II, seeing action across the globe. In 1951 a new pistol designed by Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov entered Soviet service; it became the primary Soviet military and police sidearm during the Cold War era and continued in use into the 21st century. The 9×18mm Makarov round was used in various weapons useTrade ReviewIn summary, this is a superb and concise book on the range of pistols developed during the Soviet era. It is well presented, highly informative and wonderful to read. It is a “must have” book for any connoisseur of Soviet pistol designs. -- Stuart Blank * Military Archive Reseach *Highly illustrated throughout, there are plenty of detailed photos showing the various pistols, and their holsters, plus some fine sectioned artwork. There are archive photos and a lot of modern pictures showing preserved examples. As an owner of a deactivated example of a Tokarev, I found this an interesting read. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *The author clearly knows these weapons very well, and has test fired just about all of them. This shows in the clarity of the text, and also in the choice of illustrations, which support the text very well. -- John Rickard * Historyofwar.org *Table of Contents[provisional] Introduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisBetween the world wars, Hungary was a relatively small country aiming to recover territory lost because of World War One, and its Army was trained, equipped, armed and prepared to fight with its neighbours, to this end. At the outset of World War Two, Hungarian involvement in the war was minimal. Then, suddenly, this small country found itself in a total war with the Allied nations, primarily the Soviet Union. Although in 1941, this war was remote, in 1944-45 it arrived in Hungary, crushing the kingdom. This book gives a brief history of the Hungarian Army (Honv ds g), focusing on the main armament of the land forces: armoured vehicles, artillery pieces, infantry weapons and motor vehicles. The Hungarian Army had an interesting mix of weaponry and equipment inherited from the Austro-Hungarian Army, purchased from Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland and produced by the Hungarian war industry, based on licences or its own designs. The 170 illustrations include 18 original colour photos and 18 colour profiles, skilfully painted by Tamas Deak.

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Book SynopsisFor all their advantages, small firms face significant challenges in access to capital and customers. To overcome such problems, they can form alliances either with each other or with larger companies. This work traces the trade-offs of such alliances and provides crucial insight into their promises and pitfalls.Trade Review"Arms and Innovation is an important and novel contribution to the literature on how and why innovation in weapons systems takes place and the respective roles of larger and smaller firms. This is an especially important issue at a time when the Pentagon and industry focus is on military transformation." - Robert L. Pfaltzgraff Jr., Tufts University"

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Book SynopsisAn eye-opening examination of the ties between American gun culture and white male supremacy from the American Revolution to today. One-third of American adultsapproximately 86 million peopleown firearms. This is not just for protection or hunting. Although many associate gun-centric ideology with individualist and libertarian traditions in American political culture, Race, Rights, and Rifles shows that it rests on an equally old but different foundation. Instead, Alexandra Filindra shows that American gun culture can be traced back to the American Revolution when republican notions of civic duty were fused with a belief in white male supremacy and a commitment to maintaining racial and gender hierarchies. Drawing on wide-ranging historical and contemporary evidence, Race, Rights, and Rifles traces how this ideology emerged during the Revolution and became embedded in America's institutions, from state militias to the National Rifle Association (NRA).Utilizing original survey data,Trade Review"This is a deeply informed, persuasive book, offering a compelling overview of how Americans became militarized and how that militarization is increasing....An enlightening, timely study of the evolution of arguments about gun ownership." * Kirkus (starred review) *“Theoretically ambitious, empirically rich, and politically pertinent, Race, Rights and Rifles examines how guns relate to US citizenship. Reconstructing the political history of guns in the US and dissecting its ongoing impact on the present-day, Race, Rights and Rifles shows how ascriptive republicanism transforms the right to self-defense—a basic human impulse for survival—into a rallying point for political polarization and a justification for an investment in illiberal democracy.” -- Jennifer Dawn Carlson | author of "Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy"“Why are gun killings in the United States an everyday occurrence? Race, Rights, and Rifles blends intellectual and political history, an eye-opening account of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and contemporary public opinion data to provide compelling answers. Alexandra Filindra shows that the American Revolution fused white male gun ownership with ideals of republican civic virtue in ways that the NRA has long championed. Consequentially, this has led a shocking number of Americans to believe that they have a fundamental right to engage in vigilante violence—like invading the Capitol or shooting a Black teenager who mistakenly knocks on the wrong door.” -- Rogers Smith | University of PennsylvaniaTable of ContentsList of Abbreviations Introduction Part One: Historical Foundations Chapter 1 Republican Ideology in Early America Chapter 2 An Exclusive Vision of Virtue and Citizenship Chapter 3 Militias and the Institutionalization of Ascriptive Republicanism Chapter 4 Cultural Transmission Part Two: The Origins and Worldview of the NRA Chapter 5 The Emergence of the NRA Chapter 6 An Organization of White Men Chapter 7 Political Virtue Chapter 8 Political Corruption Chapter 9 The NRA’s Theory of Democracy Part Three: Ascriptive Republicanism in Contemporary White Public Opinion Chapter 10 Ascriptive Republicanism and White Gun Attitudes Today Chapter 11 From “Stand Your Ground” to “Stand Back and Stand By” Conclusion Democratic Stability in Peril Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book SynopsisPreface Acknowledgements LIDDELL HART'S THEORY OF ARMOURED WARFARE Deep Strategic Penetration Combating 'Blitzkrieg' The All-arms Armoured Formation BRITISH INFLUENCE AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PANZER ARM Origins: The 1920s and Early '30s The Creation of the Panzer Arm Conclusion Bibliography IndexTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements LIDDELL HART'S THEORY OF ARMOURED WARFARE Deep Strategic Penetration Combating 'Blitzkrieg' The All-arms Armoured Formation BRITISH INFLUENCE AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PANZER ARM Origins: The 1920s and Early '30s The Creation of the Panzer Arm Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Firepower is the best scholarly analysis of the National Rifle Association (NRA) yet published …. [Lacombe] effectively argues that the NRA has long been political, but that the form of its politics changed from its "quasi-governmental phase" (pre-1970s) to its "partisan phase" (1970s onward) …. Anyone interested in the NRA and gun politics today should read this book." * Choice *"Lacombe’s book is a worthy read because it provides a new lens through which to view the NRA and the development of the gun rights movement more broadly. Its reorientation of the discussion from material and partisan to psychological processes makes Firepower an important addition to any syllabus on gun politics and interest group politics."---Alexandra Filindra, Perspectives on Politics

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Book SynopsisThis book chronicles the overwhelming importance of the military archer in the late medieval period. The longbow played a central role in the English victory at the battles of Crecy and Agincourt. Completely undermining the supremacy of heavy cavalry, the longbow forced a wholesale reassessment of battlefield tactics. Richard Wadge explains what made England''s longbow archers so devastating, detailing the process by which their formidable armament was manufactured and the conditions that produced men capable of continually drawing a bow under a tension of 100 pounds. Uniquely, Wadge looks at the economics behind the supply of longbows to the English army and the social history of the military archer. Crucially, what were the advantages of joining the first professional standing army in England since the days of the Roman conquest? Was it the pay, the booty, or the glory? With its painstaking analysis of contemporary records, Arrowstorm paints a vivid portrait of the life of a professional soldier in the war which forged the English national consciousness.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe formidable European longsword featuring a double-edged straight blade in excess of 40in, and capable of being used with one or both hands remains one of the most impressive and distinctive edged weapons of the late medieval era. Also known as the bastard' sword and the hand-and-a-half' sword, the longsword evolved from the war swords and great swords of the 14th century, and emerged as a battlefield weapon in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War. It went on to become a key weapon on the battlefields of late medieval Europe, creating a new system of sword fighting. Drawing together period sources, modern technical analysis and his own experiences with the longsword, Neil Grant explores the origins, manufacture and evolving use of this iconic late-medieval edged weapon. Illustrated throughout with specially commissioned full-colour artwork and an array of period illustrations and close-up photographs, this is the enthralling story of one of late-medieval Europe's most disTable of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe T-64 tank was the most revolutionary design of the whole Cold War, designed to provide the firepower and armor protection of a heavy tank in a medium-weight design. It pioneered a host of sophisticated new technologies including laminate armor, stereoscopic tank rangefinders, opposed-piston engines, smooth-bore tank guns with discarding sabot ammunition, and gun-fired guided projectiles. These impressive features meant that the Russians were loath to part with the secrets of the design, and the T-64 was the only Soviet tank type of the Cold War that was never exported. Written by an armor expert, this detailed technical history sheds light on the secrets behind the Cold War''s most controversial tank, revealing how its highly advanced technologies proved to be both a blessing and a curse.Table of ContentsIntroduction Design & Development Operational History Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Barrett M82A1 and its derivatives are among the most successful sniping rifles ever manufactured. Now entering its fourth decade of service, the short-recoil, semi-automatic system is capable of firing a devastating .50-caliber round with lethal accuracy over distances of more than 2 kilometers. Unconfirmed reports from Afghanistan in 2012 accredit the Barrett with one of history''s longest ever kills at 2,815 meters. This is the technical history of a rifle initially developed as a sporting firearm, but which evolved into a long-range sniping rifle and a formidable military anti-materiel tool, designed to neutralize everything from enemy vehicles to parked aircraft. Adopted by snipers across the world, the Barrett rifles have seen active service in Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan and have become an important addition to police, armed services, and Special Forces units alike.Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Development /Use /Impact /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisThe Mosin-Nagant is the world''s longest-surviving and most widely distributed military rifle, having armed the forces of Russia and many other countries for more than five decades. It has seen action from World War I to the present day, but is most famous for its role during World War II when it proved to be an excellent sniping weapon in the hands of marksmen such as Vasily Zaitsev and Simo Häyhä. This study covers the rifle''s entire combat history, from its early development through to its service in combat and the impact it has had on modern firearms.Dramatic battle reports and specially commissioned artwork complement the meticulously researched examination of the Mosin-Nagant provided by author Bill Harriman as he delves into the history of one of the most iconic rifles of World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction / Development / Use / Impact / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index

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Book SynopsisAn unparalleled study of the British artillery in the Second World War, and one of the most comprehensive ever published.

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Book SynopsisCountries around the globe are continuously investing money into weapon development and manufacturing. While weapon design has been a relevant topic, from the Middle Ages to today, the morality of this practice is not commonly presented in research. The Morality of Weapons Design and Development: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an essential scholarly resource that presents detailed discussions on ethical dilemmas in weapons design and innovations. While highlighting relevant topics including projectile and nuclear weapons, the true costs of war, design in peacetime, and weapons development and justification, this book is an ideal resource for researchers, engineers, graduate students, and professionals who have an interest in weapons design, development, and ethics.

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