The Complete Illustrated History Of Knives Swords Spears Daggers

An authoritative visual directory and history to ancient and modern sharp-edged weapons, photographed throughout.

This comprehensive boxed set offers two authoritative encyclopedias on sharp-edged weapons through history and around the world. The first section of each book is a fascinating overview of edged weapons, from the pole arms and ballock daggers of medieval Europe, and the cavalry sabers of the 17th century to the swords of the Russian Empire and classic commando knives of World War II. The second sections offer complete visual directories, featuring each weapon's capabilities and individual specification.With over 1500 illustrations, this is essential reading for everybody interested in the history of military conflicts and sharp weapons.

An authoritative history and visual directory of sharp-edged weapons and blades from around the world

Since the first sharpened tools used by early man over a million years ago, edged weapons have developed and evolved into many forms. They are now valued the world over as collectable antiques, admired for the intricate skill and workmanship that lie behind the lavish and often beautifully coloured decoration on the blade and hilt. This comprehensive illustrated chronology takes you on a visual tour of sharp weapons throughout history: from the hand-held flints of the Stone Age, through to the parrying daggers of the Renaissance, the original Bayonne bayonets of the 17th century, the survival weapons of the two world wars and finally the civilian knives of modern times. There are also intriguing blades from Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including the Japanese tanto and aikuchi, the Persian peshkabz, Sudanese throwing knives and Indian Katars. Presented in an accessible and easy-to-follow format there are specially-commissioned photographs of each item, clearly labelled with the blade's defining features as well as at-a-glance specification boxes detailing date, country of origin and length. Written by a leading arms and armoury expert and featuring over 350 pieces shown in more than 530 stunning pictures, this book is an indispensable resource for both the serious collector and amateur enthusiast, and will be a fascinating and engaging read for anybody with an interest in historical weaponry.

Examines swords through the ages and offers a historical perspective, with the swords tied to their culture in some significant way.

Discover the origin, design, range, and function of arms including stone axes, swords, machine-guns, and sniper rifles, and meet the warriors who wielded them. An epic, 4,000-year illustrated volume, Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor traces the evolution of the entire spectrum of weaponry through stunning photography and authoritative coverage. All the major arms through the ages including edged weapons, clubs, projectiles, and firearms can be found in the guide. This comprehensive book covers ancient Egyptian axes, bows, and spears of early societies in Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, and guns and missiles of modern infantry forces. Richly detailed catalogs showcase many weapons at their actual size, outlining the timeframe, weight, size, and country of origin to create comprehensive fact files. Also profiled are the world’s top fighting forces, from the ancient Greek hoplites to today's US Navy Seals. Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution, this weapon encyclopedia presents in vivid detail the tools that have been at the cutting edge of history, helping determine the rise of kingdoms and the fall of empires.