| Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact Contributor(s): Kinard, Jeff (Author) |
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ISBN: 1851094709 ISBN-13: 9781851094707 Publisher: ABC-CLIO OUR PRICE: $101.97 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: October 2004 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Technology & Engineering | Military Science - History | Military - Weapons - History | World - General |
| Dewey: 623.443 |
| LCCN: 2004020415 |
| Series: Weapons and Warfare |
| Physical Information: 1.08" H x 7.28" W x 10.4" (1.96 lbs) 416 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: 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. |