Gun and Its Development, The

Classic, encyclopedic history of weaponry from ancient times to the 20th Century Written by leading expert in the history of guns Illustrated throughout with photographs and engravings First published in Great Britain in 1881, The Gun and its Development traces the history of weaponry from the obscure, ancient origins of the sling-shot, through the introduction of fire-arms into Europe in the thirteenth century and the development of military and sporting rifles throughout the centuries, to the advent of modern, factory-produced artillery in the early 20th century. Detailed chapters cover an expansive range of weaponry - sporting and military, including the discovery and use of gunpowder; early to modern handguns; hammerless guns; ejector guns; internal bollistics; public gun trials; methods of gun-making; and the development of rifling. Drawing on diverse sources and illustrated throughout with photographs and intricate engravings The Gun and its Development is a fascinating and valuable reference work for anyone interested in the subject of guns and gun-making, and anyone interested in military or industrial history.