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A Treatise on the Snider - personally gifted by Ian Skennerton to Herb Woodend
The British Soldier's Firearm 1866 - c.1880
Development, Manufacture and Issue of the Snider Rifle and Carbine 1862 - post 1900
First Edition Ian D. Skennerton Published 1977 by I. D. Skennerton, Australia Hardback with dust wrapper - 181 pages (black/white throughout) ISBN 0-9597438-7-1
A very special book as it was gifted to Herb Woodend by the author Ian Skennerton. The title page carries a personal penned message to Herb, thanking him for his invaluable assistance in the book's production and their friendship. It is signed Ian D. Skennerton and dated 2.6.78. The inside front cover and first two pages are each stamped ‘H. J. WOODEND’ in ink (denoting his personal library). Herb Woodend MBE who passed away in 2003 was the Custodian of the famous Ministry of Defence Pattern Room at Enfield Lock from 1966 - 2002. This is one of the largest collections of military small arms in the world which is now the core of the National Firearms Centre at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Much information can be found online.
Now to the subject matter: The 1860s saw major changes in military equipment and thinking, amongst the foremost of these being the introduction of breech-loaders as general issue arms throughout Europe. Although Britain was the last of the powers to adopt the principle of the breech-loader, development of an efficient breech-loading conversion was comparatively rapid. This book covers the development of the Snider from 1862, through the trials, its adoption, subsequent variations and modifications, and on to the special colonial, police and penal models which were still in service long after the turn of the century. A valuable reference work for collectors, historians and firearms enthusiasts alike.
The dust jacket has been laminated by the owner. Slight fading to dust jacket spine and minor issues to top edge including a small tear on the reverse together with large oval stress mark in the lamination also on the reverse. The cloth bound book itself is in excellent condition.
H:25 x W:16.2 x D:2cm £85.00 + £4.25 P&P UK
Revolving Arms
A. W. F. Taylerson
First Edition - October 1967
Hardback with dust wrapper - 123 pages (black/white throughout) Published by Herbert Jenkins, London
The history of mechanically rotated revolving cylinder firearms in England, the Continent and the United States and the early history of Samuel Colt, the ‘father' of revolvers. Over 150 weapons and lock mechanisms illustrated.
Good condition. Dustwrapper price clipped and encapsulated in cellophane with hardly noticeable edge scuffs. Internally, nice, tightly bound clean pages. Traces of dustiness to page edges.
H:24 x W:15.3 x D:2cm £12.00 + £3.10 P&P UK
Kalashnikov - Machine Pistols, Assault Rifles and Machine Guns, 1945 to the present
John Walter Pub. 2002 by Greenhill Military Manuals Pictorial hardback - 143 pages (black/white throughout) ISBN 1-85367-364-1
One of the outstanding successes in small-arms history, the Kalashnikov, was designed by a Red Army tank mechanic after being wounded during the German invasion in 1941. With first hand experience of Germany's superior firearms, Kalashnikov resolved to develop something better, and after a few false starts, the Automat Kalashnikova 1947 was born. In 1949, the AK-47 was adopted by the Soviet Army, subsequently by other Warsaw Pact members. It quickly spread throughout the world, becoming the "weapon of choice" for terrorist groups. This well-illustrated directory covers variants, specifications and details on sights, bayonets and ammunition.
Virtually as new. H:15.5 x W:21.5 x D:1.8cm £10.00 + £3.10 P&P UK