Despite being one of the lesser known German pistols of World War Two, the Sauer 38H pistol was and still is considered a revolutionary design for its time period. Produced by the legendary German firearms manufacturer J.P. Sauer and Sohn, the Sauer 38H pistol was produced between 1938 and 1945 with a total production of approximately 250,000 pistols making it one of the more rare German pistols of The War. This book is a useful reference for anyone wanting to learn more about this unique pistol, its history and its use. In addition to dozens of high resolution and full color photographs of Sauer 38H pistols, holsters and accessories, the book includes numerous German wartime archival photos.

While the PP and PPK were intended for police work, the Walther P 38 was produced for the Germany military; all three pistols have garnered a formidable international reputation since the 1930s. The innovative Walther PP (Polizeipistole), a double-action semi-automatic pistol intended for the law-enforcement market, became available in 1929 and went on to arm the police of several European countries in the 1930s. Its smaller cousin the PPK, more readily concealed for undercover work but with reduced magazine capacity, was produced from 1931. Intended to replace the P 08 Luger, the Walther P 38 was issued from 1940 and equipped the armed forces of Germany and other countries during and after World War II, but never entirely replaced the Luger in German service. All three pistols went on to have lengthy and varied service across the world after 1945. Both the PP and the PPK remain in production today, while the P 38 re-emerged as the P1 and equipped West German forces from 1963 until 2004, when it was replaced by the P8. In this study, noted authority John Walter assesses the origins, development, use and legacy of these three high-profile semi-automatic pistols, alongside other Walther variants, such as the tiny .25 ACP Modell 9.

ABC’s of Military Side Arms showcases the history of pistols and revolvers from the past to present, from the well-known to the obscure. Done in the style of a children’s ABC book, with a unique gun selected for each letter, and its technical data and historical over view listed side by side ABC’s of Military Side Arms is perfect for military history fans of all ages.

The development of the pistol helped bring the age of the armored knight to an end, provided the elite with a status symbol of dangerous glamour, and inspired both artisans and industrialists to reach new heights of invention. Pistols follows the evolution of personal sidearms in Europe, the United States, and Asia from medieval-era "hand cannons" with their clunky ignition systems, to the revolutionary Colt revolvers of the 19th century, to the modern semiautomatic weapons of today. Full of fascinating insights and details, this work shows how pistols brought about the decline of knights in armor, and ultimately replaced the sword on the battlefield. The book also explores the pistol's astonishing "democratization" as it moved from being a luxury item of the nobility, to standard issue for soldiers, to a mass-produced commodity and source of intensive corporate competition. Along the way, readers meet the many colorful characters (often eccentric geniuses) who devoted themselves to pistol development.

At a time when crime scene television shows are all the rage amongst the civilian population, knowledge of firearm forensics is of paramount importance to crime scene analysts, police detectives, and attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense. Cartridges and Firearm Identification brings together a unique, multidisciplined approach to questions that arise regarding ammunition and firearms within the context of investigation. Supplying essential practical information about firearms and ammunition in a clear, easy-to-follow format, this volume: Defines and depicts photographically all varieties of firearms Presents investigative concerns of firearms evidence from the perspectives of evidence preservation and safe handling procedures Introduces readers to the standards of measurement used to classify ammunition, including the significance of names, adjectives, and other descriptors used in conjunction with ammunition cartridges Categorizes and identifies ammunition head stamps from cartridges produced around the world Provides ammunition manufacturing practices for dozens of nations The text offers a methodology for the identification of unknown firearms as well as ammunition of questioned identity. The author explains the terminology and describes each group of firearms and the aspects that identify the weaponry—including property marks, proof marks, and patent dates. Lavishly illustrated, this comprehensive reference includes case studies to support the text, making it a premier reference for all those responsible for the complicated task of investigating firearms and cartridges.

"Like other families, letters were the fabric that held the fledgling Waldron family together during the personally trying, society changing events of World War II. Bill, the town baker, voluntarily became an infantry soldier and platoon scout in Europe and Marge, a new wife, became the town baker - the Waldron's version of Rosie the Riveter. Nothing in their lives had prepared them for these roles yet everything in their lives made them equal to the tasks at hand. Their letters to one another provide an intimate view of an American family triumphing in the face of adversity. Duty, Honor, Faith, Love and Family all play a role and readers will come to love and admire both of them. Bill's letters from the Battle of the Bulge, the Siegfreid Line and through the end of the war across Germany and into Czechoslovakia are particularly interesting. He reveals himself as a down to earth patriot who volunteered for a very dangerous job and excelled - a man with survivor's instincts who avoided illness, frostbite and wounds under extremely difficult circumstances. Historical perspective is provided by sidebars throughout the book which explain matters referred to in the letters as well as what is going on in the war and at home. The sidebars are themselves an education, made immediate and interesting by the personal experiences conveyed in the letters"--Page 4 of cover