Pistols An Illustrated History of Their Impact

Pistols surveys the development of personal side arms from the early matchlock systems to the most advanced pistols in use today. In addition to detailed descriptions of hundreds of designs and models resulting from major technical innovations, gun enthusiasts and students will follow the pistol as it ends the era of chivalry in combat, elevates the elite, enables new warfare capabilities, arms police and civilians, prompts innovations in industry, and ignites debates surrounding its effectiveness as a combat weapon