The World Encyclopedia of Rifles and Machine Guns: An Illustrated Historical Guide to over 500 Military, Law Enforcement and Antique Firearms

This fully updated encyclopedia is an authoritative reference work with two stunning visual directories. It explains the development of rifles and machine guns through the centuries, and shows the capabilities and individual specifications of modern weapons. The chronological story of arms development begins with the first crude hand cannons and black powder flintlocks used in the Revolutionary, Napoleonic and American Civil wars. The encyclopedia covers the progress of firearm design from the Industrial Age to the modern day, with details of the individual developments of rifles and machine guns, and their use in major conflicts. Readers are introduced to some of the designers and manufacturers involved in weapons design, as well as the materials, mechanics and technology involved in arms production.

The directories present a photographic guide to the world's rifles and machine guns. Grouped according to country of origin, each gun's features are listed, with the military and technological context in which the weapon was developed. Information boxes accompany each entry and include details such as calibre, magazine capacity, barrel length and unloaded weight. A list of manufacturers, a glossary and an index complete this easy-to-use encyclopedia. Written by leading experts in the field and superbly illustrated, the book is essential reading for all enthusiasts interested in gun manufacture and weapons of war.

An unparalleled guide to the world's most important rifles and machine guns, from the medieval period to the present day. Includes superb directories of arms from different regions of the world, organized according to country of manufacture. Shows the key features of each weapon, including calibre, magazine capacity, barrel length and unloaded weight. With 600 photographs and artworks, and specification boxes for detailed study. The most important and famous rifles and machine guns are listed, including the Mauser, Lee-Enfield and the SAR 240. Written by three outstanding arms experts.

Will Fowler is a writer specializing in military history, current affairs and defence technology. He is the author of over 30 books covering military technology and conflicts from the 19th century to the Second Gulf War. Will has reported for many defence magazines and broadcasts frequently on historical and defence-related topics on radio and television. He served for nearly 30 years in the British Territorial Army.

Patrick Sweeney grew up in the suburbs of Detroit in the United States and studied chemistry at college. He first became interested in gunsmithing when he mended a No. 1 Mark III Lee-Enfield rifle as a student. Today he competes, teaches and trains others in the use of firearms. He was the Handgun Editor of Guns & Ammo magazine from 2007 to 2017. He has written a number of books and articles including Gunsmithing: Rifles; The Gun Digest Book of the AR-15; and Modern Law Enforcement Weapons and Tactics.

T. Logan Metesh is an arms historian with a focus on history and development. He has a degree in historic preservation and has worked for the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution and NRA Museums. Over the years, he has contributed to multiple books and written hundreds of articles for different firearms publications. He is the owner of High Caliber History LLC.