Military Pistols

Military Pistols PDF

Author: Gordon Bruce

Publisher: The Crowood Press

Published: 2016-10-31

Total Pages: 166

ISBN-13: 1785002473

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This book provides a convenient reference to the history and characteristics of the self-loading pistols that were adopted by the military forces of the nations involved in the two World Wars. It presents a selection of nineteen self-loading pistols - and the firms engaged in their manufacture - during this period, together with a technical appraisal of each weapon. For each pistol a history of both manufacturer and pistol is provided, along with a colour photograph and cutaway views of both the pistol and its breech operation. Details and cutaway views are also provided for the cartridges used by these pistols. All of the weapons illustrated are representative of the pattern issued to the military, and in many cases they continued to be produced for the commercial market. Includes a wealth of technical information and numerous high-quality illustrations prepared specially for the book.

The M1 Garand

The M1 Garand PDF

Author: Leroy Thompson

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-05-20

Total Pages: 169

ISBN-13: 178096434X

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The M1 Garand gave the US infantryman a marked edge during World War II. It shot faster and further than enemy infantry rifles and hit harder. No less an authority on killing the enemy than General George S. Patton called the Garand, “The greatest battle implement ever devised.” At a time when opposing forces were armed with bolt-action rifles, US troops had a highly reliable self-loader. The eight-round clips which were used to load the M1 Garand were, however, viewed with mixed emotions by the troops on the ground. Some Army and Marine Corps troops allegedly felt that the distinctive “twang” as the Garand's clip was ejected when empty alerted the enemy that the soldiers were reloading and resulted in an attack. But the Garand became the defining mankiller of the war, despite its weight and magazine problems, and many US combat veterans consider it one of the key reasons they survived the war.

The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II

The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II PDF

Author: Chris Bishop

Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 558

ISBN-13: 9781586637620

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The encyclopedia of weapns of world war II is the most detailed and authoritative compendium of the weapons of mankind's greatesst conflict ever published. It is a must for the military, enthusiast, and all those interested in World War II.

Italian Small Arms of the First and Second World Wars

Italian Small Arms of the First and Second World Wars PDF

Author: Ralph Riccio

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9780764345838

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This is the first comprehensive work, in either English or Italian, to address Italian small arms used during World War I and World War II. It describes each weapon and covers the developmental history and use of all Italian designed and produced pistols, rifles, submachine guns and machine guns used during both conflicts, as well as prototype weapons and foreign weapons used by the Italians. Other appendices cover bayonets, accoutrements, markings, ammunition, small arms manufacturing facilities, Italian small arms designers, production summaries, and collector's notes. It includes many previously unpublished photographs and background information on small arms producers, ammunition production facilities, and designers. In addition to the new material, it also corrects previously published errors about Italian weapons. AUTHOR: Ralph Riccio spent twenty years as a U.S. Army military intelligence officer. He has written numerous magazine articles, many in Italian, as well as having authored several books dealing with Italian and Irish military equipment and history. His native Italian fluency has enabled him to develop extensive contacts with Italian military history experts and to delve deeply into research on Italian weapons and history. This latest book on Italian military small arms is the culmination of years of research on the subject. ILLUSTRATIONS: 608 b/w and colour photographs

Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns, 1893-1945

Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns, 1893-1945 PDF

Author: Harry Derby

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9780764317804

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When originally published in 1981, The Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan was heralded as one of the most readable works on firearms ever produced. To arms collectors and scholars, it remains a prized source of information on Japanese handguns, their development, and their history. In this new Revised and Expanded edition, original author Harry Derby has teamed with Jim Brown to provide a thorough update reflecting twenty years of additional research. The authors have retained the format and much of the text of the original edition, focusing on military cartridge arms from the 1893-1945 period. Signal pistols, foreign-procured military handguns, ammunition, holsters, and accessories are also covered. Significant changes are included based on new findings, and a great deal of new information has been added, together with color illustrations of significant specimens. A number of newly discovered variants are identified and described, and expanded tables of reported serial numbers and production data are provided. Coverage and explanation of Japanese markings has been greatly enhanced, and a detailed study of inspection marks on the most widely known Types 14 and 94 is included. An appendix on valuation has also been added, using a relative scale that should remain relevant despite inflationary pressures. For the firearms collector, enthusiast, historian or dealer, this is the most complete and up-to-date work on Japanese military handguns ever written. Like its predecessor, it is certain to become a classic firearms reference and a benchmark for further research.

Military Handguns of Two World Wars

Military Handguns of Two World Wars PDF

Author: John Walter

Publisher: Greenhill Books

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13:

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In this companion volume to his Military Rifles of Two World Wars, renowned firearms expert John Walter examines in detail the handguns used by all nations that fought in WWII. He covers the full range from the Walther PPK, Luger and Smith and Wessons to the less well-known Turkish parabellum and Finish Lahti. At the end of the nineteenth century the supremacy of the revolver was being threatened by the semi-automatic pistol, the design that would predominate throughout two world wars and beyond. In this book John Walter provides detailed technical specifications and data for every gun manufactured, and gives a history of its development and use. Every entry is also accompanied by a photograph or technical drawing, and in some cases rare pictures of the guns in combat.