This volume presents the history of sharp-edged weapons with a directory of over 350 examples from Medieval rondels to the knives of World War II.

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.

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

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.

A complete look at weapons—from the Stone Age and Bronze Age to present day—from spears and swords to handguns and automatic weapons. When did hunting weapons begin to be used against humans instead of animals? What is the difference between the Plains Indian War Club and the Fijian War Club? What weapon is common to peoples in every part of the world? The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weaponry is a comprehensive guide to arms and armaments throughout history. Beginning in the Stone Age, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weaponry travels through the Bronze Age to our present day, showing the tools humans have used to defend themselves all around the globe. There’s the Japanese tanto, or dagger, which have become identified with gangs known as yakuza. There’s the flaming arrow used when Swiss and Austrian forces clashed in the 14th century. And there’s the revolver that Samuel Colt made practical for both military and civilian use in Hartford, Connecticut. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weaponry will help readers better understand how—and why—the battles of history were fought.

This is an authoritative history and visual directory of sharp-edged weapons and blades from around the world, with more than 700 stunning photographs. It features a directory of more than 350 weapons, with details of their origin, date of manufacture and length. It describes all the most famous and fascinating weapons, including the medieval rondel, the American Bowie knife, the Highland dirk, and the bayonets of World War II. It explores the development of daggers, fighting knives and bayonets, from their origins in the Stone Age through to the latest utilitarian and creative designs. Since sharpened tools emerged almost 1 million years ago, edged weapons have played an incredible role in the shaping of human history. This beautifully presented volume traces the history of daggers, knives and bayonets through to the 21st century. The directory features more than 350 examples, from ancient Egyptian flint knives to the rondel and ballock daggers of medieval Europe, and from 17th-century plug bayonets to the classic commando knives of World War II. With over 700 photographs, the book is an indispensable resource for the serious collector and amateur enthusiast, and will fascinate anyone with an interest in historical weapons.

The essential guide for every bayonet collector. Covers blades from Argentina to the USSR, and everything in between. Bayonets are especially interesting collectibles for a number of reasons, the most inexpensive, readily available, and their histories are interesting and well documented, plus the immense variety of design. Over the years bayonets were made with a number of uses -- as saws, trowels, combat knives, cutlasses, lances, machetes, even wire cutters.