machine guns

A photographic guide to five hundred rifles and machine guns from around the world, discussing the history, technological advancements, and use of firearms, and providing specifications and illustrations for each selection.

Discusses the history of the machine gun, from the first one, invented in the nineteenth century by Hiram Maxim, through the advanced automatic weapons of the twenty-first century, covering their influence on the nature and scope of warfare around the world.

Gun is a highly visual gift book perfect for anyone with an interest in gun culture at whatever level. Split into four main chronological chapters running from 1200 to the present day, the book showcases more than 300 different guns including rifles, pistols, sniper guns, machine guns and grenade launchers in a catalogue style format. A selection of historically significant guns are featured on individual spreads..

Presents the history of the AK-47 rifle. Discusses how it became the preferred weapon of the Soviet Union, while the Pentagon dismissed it as crude. Explains how large quantities of the compact automatic weapon were manufactured, eventually landing in the hands of the Taliban. Also describes the weapon's predecessors back to the nineteenth century and the implications of its spread into the twenty-first century.

Trace the development of the machine gun from 1860 to present. Includes photographs, illustrations, specifications, and table of contents.