Adams' Revolvers


Book Description

"The 'Adamses' whose revolver designs in particular and whose firearms enterprises in general form the thread of our book are Robert, John, and Henry ... Their years of greatest influence upon that craft lie between 1850 and 1880, but the years before that influenced them and their work persisted long after ... Their methods of manufacturing were among the best of the English arms trade"--Page 15.




The English Revolver


Book Description

Famous throughout the nineteenth century for the quality of its products, the English revolver industry began a steady decline after WWI from which it never recovered. Apart from the famous Webley service revolvers, many products of this important industry are little known outside of the auction house and sale room. This book sets out to rectify that situation, describing Adam's and Tranter's revolvers, as valued in their day as any of Webley's products, and including guns from the more obscure makers neglected by previous writers. In particular, the chapter on military revolvers is one of the most important sections of the book, beginning with the British government's early purchase of Colt's percussion weapon and concluding with the Webley Service revolvers, strikingly familiar to many who served in the British Army in both World Wars. Finally, many of the guns are pictured here for the first time, a number having been photographed especially for this book.




Pistols


Book Description

The development of the pistol helped bring the age of the armored knight to an end, provided the elite with a status symbol of dangerous glamour, and inspired both artisans and industrialists to reach new heights of invention. Pistols follows the evolution of personal sidearms in Europe, the United States, and Asia from medieval-era "hand cannons" with their clunky ignition systems, to the revolutionary Colt revolvers of the 19th century, to the modern semiautomatic weapons of today. Full of fascinating insights and details, this work shows how pistols brought about the decline of knights in armor, and ultimately replaced the sword on the battlefield. The book also explores the pistol's astonishing "democratization" as it moved from being a luxury item of the nobility, to standard issue for soldiers, to a mass-produced commodity and source of intensive corporate competition. Along the way, readers meet the many colorful characters (often eccentric geniuses) who devoted themselves to pistol development.




Colt Single-Action Revolvers


Book Description

In 1836, Samuel Colt changed the face of warfare with the production of the first of a series of iconic and influential single-action revolvers, including the .44-calibre Colt Walker and the seminal .45-calibre Colt Single Action Army, which remains in production today. These weapons shifted the role of the pistol from single-shot weapon of last resort to a practical and powerful sidearm that gave the user the ability to defend himself once his primary armament was discharged. It transformed cavalry tactics and relegated the sword to a largely ceremonial role in many armies. Featuring full-colour artwork, expert analysis and gripping first-hand accounts, this is the absorbing story of Colt's family of single-action revolvers, covering their origins, development, use and lasting impact on the modern world.




Webley Solid-Frame Revolvers


Book Description

Popular from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries, the British Webley Pug and Bull Dog revolvers, manufactured by P. Webley & Son of Birmingham, provided security for many at home or concealed in coat pockets. Over 800 photos and thorough text bring to light detailed information on these often elusive, solid-frame, short-barreled handguns. Many models were previously unknown, such as the ring trigger .22 No. 2 and the Silver and Fletcher No. 2 Bull Dog. Includes Belgian and other English makers of the Tower Bull Dog, the Scott, Tranter Bulldog, and the Greener No. 5. Cartridges, cartridge boxes, and loading tools are featured with a scale of relative rarity and numerous appendices. This book is a must for all who are passionate about historical firearms.




Handguns of the World


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The Confederate LeMat Revolver


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House Documents


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The Webley Service Revolver


Book Description

The Webley .455in service revolver is among the most powerful top-break revolvers ever produced. First adopted in 1887, in various marques it was the standard-issue service pistol for British and Commonwealth armed forces for nearly fifty years; later versions in .38in calibre went on to see further service in World War II and beyond, as well as in a host of law-enforcement roles around the world into the 1970s. Developed to give British service personnel the ability to incapacitate their opponents in 'small wars' around the globe, the Webley used the formidable – and controversial – .455in cartridge, a variant of which was known as the 'manstopper'. Users found it offered good penetration and excellent stopping power with only mild recoil – indeed, it was rated superior to the US .45 Colt in stopping power. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and close-up photographs, this is the compelling story of the Webley revolver, the powerful pistol that saw service across the British Empire and throughout two world wars.




Weapons of the Civil War Cavalryman


Book Description

During the American Civil War, the mounted soldiers fighting on both sides of the conflict carried a wide array of weapons, from sabers and lances to carbines, revolvers, and other firearms. Though some sections of the cavalry placed their trust in the sabre, the advent of viable breechloading carbines -- especially repeaters such as the Spencer -- was to transform warfare within little more than a decade of General Lee's final surrender at Appomattox. However, output struggled to keep up with unprecedented demands on manufacturing technology and distribution in areas where communication was difficult and in states whose primary aim was to equip their own men rather than contribute to the arming of Federal or Confederate regiments. In addition, the almost unparalleled losses of men and equipment ensured that almost any firearm, effectual or not, was pressed into service. Consequently, the sheer variety of weaponry carried reflected the mounted soldiers' various roles in different theatres of operation, but also the availability -- or otherwise -- of weapons, notably on the Confederate side. Fully illustrated, this study assesses the effectiveness of the many different weapons arming the Civil War cavalryman and analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the decisions made after 1865 concerning the armament of the US cavalry.