Collector's Guides

Matchlock, wheel lock, flintlock and caplock; muzzle-loading and breech-loading; revolving and rifling — the history of muskets and rifles is a fascinating journey through the development of firearms technology. From early matchlocks of the 15th century to the latest hunting rifles and assault rifles, Collector's Guides: Rifles and Muskets traces the development of these small arms through their technical revolutions. From a 16th century wheel-lock to today's Knight MK-85 muzzleloader, from the Winchester to the Ak-47 to the latest sporting rifles, Collector's Guides: Rifles and Muskets offers a narrative history of the classics among these firearms. Throughout there are technical specifications for featured firearms. Illustrated with more than 260 colour and black-and-white artworks and photographs, Collector's Guides: Rifles and Muskets is an expertly written account of the history of sporting and military firearms.

The year 2015 marks the 180th anniversary of Colt's first patent for a firearm with a revolving cylinder and the 160th anniversary of the enterprise originally named Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company. During that time, Colt and the succession of firms that continue to bear his name have produced iconic revolvers and rifles that have done nothing less than shape the course of history. Among these are the first Colt Paterson revolver in 1836, the Colt Single Action Army of 1873, popularly known as the Peacemaker and the "Gun that won the West," the Model 1911 pistol, and the M16 assault rifle, emblematic of the American military experience in Vietnam. Today, Colt are best known for the M4 Carbine, stalwart of every branch of the U.S. military, the CQBP (Close Quarters Battle Pistol), and popular civilian models, such as the Colt Defense CM901 rifle and Colt Match Target series. Illustrated with more than 200 artworks and photographs and accompanied by exhaustive technical specifications, Colt: An American Classic is an expertly written account of the firearms produced by one of the world's best-known and easily recognized gun manufacturers.

The Glock series of handguns represents one of the greatest steps forward in pistol design since the introduction of the Colt M1911. Inspired by the Austrian Army's 1980 request for a new sidearm, the Glock Ges.m.b.H. company set to work designing and developing a revolutionary new weapon that combined reliability, firepower, and the latest in material technology. Within two years it had been adopted by the Austrian Army, but such were its qualities that within a decade the handgun was a dominant presence in the global military, law enforcement, and civilian markets. More than 2.5 million Glocks have been sold to date, to more than 50 nations. Glock: The World's Handgun follows the evolution of the Glock handgun from concept to market leader, and explains each of the many variants and calibers, starting with the original Glock 17 and working through to the latest fourth generation models, including the 9mm Model 19, .40 caliber Model 22., and subcompact Model 26. Illustrated with more than 200 artworks and photographs, Glock: The World's Handgun is an expertly written account of one of the most influential handguns in the world today.