1-975051 Bishio, M.C. 051 THE GLADIUS: The Roman Short Sword One of the most feared weapons in the ancient world, the gladius was lethal on the battlefield and in the arena. Literary sources tell of the terror it inspired, while archaeological evidence of wounds inflicted is testament to its deadly effect.

By pulling together strands of literary, sculptural, and archaeological evidence, M.C. Bishop creates a narrative of the gladius' development, exploring the way in which the shape of the short sword changed as soldiers and gladiators evolved their fighting style. Reveals the development, technology, training and use of the gladius hispaniensis: the sword that conquered the Mediterranean. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$22.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975054 Bishop, M.C. 054 THE SUOMI SUBMACHINE GUN Entering service in 1931, the 9x19mm Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun saw extensive combat with Finnish troops during their fight against Soviet forces in 1939-44. It was also manufactured under licence in Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, and remained in Finnish service until the 1980s, an indication of its durability.

Rugged and accurate, the Suomi was a favourite with Finnish ski troops who would strike from ambush, cutting down Soviet troops, then skiing away into the woods. Initially used by the Finns as a light machine gun at infantry squad level, it eventually became a dedicated submachine gun, and since it had been designed to be more accurate than the typical SMG, it was often even used as a sniping weapon, or to supplement longer-ranged rifles such as the Mosin-Nagant. Featuring first-hand accounts and specially commissioned colour artwork, this is the story of one of World War II's most distinctive and respected infantry weapons.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975055 Bishop, M.C. 055 THE PILUM: The Roman Heavy Javelin A heavy javelin, normally used as a shock weapon immediately before contact, the pilum was designed with a particular specialty: it could penetrate a shield and carry on into the individual behind it. Relying on mass rather than velocity, at short range a volley of pila had much the same effect on a charging enemy as musketry would in later periods. The design was not uniform, with a wide diversity of types throughout the developmental history of the weapon, but for more than four centuries it remained a vital part of the arsenal of weapons at the disposal of the Roman legionary.

Drawing upon recent major finds in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkans, as well as written records and rigorous scientific analysis, this enthralling study lifts the veil on the evolving nature of the pilum, the Roman heavy javelin that helped to conquer the known world. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid May 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975072 Bishop, M.C. 072 THE SPATHA: The Roman Long Sword Adopted from the Celts in the 1st century BC, the spatha, a lethal and formidable chopping blade, became the primary sword of the Roman soldier in the Later Empire. Over the following centuries, the blade, its scabbard, and its system of carriage underwent a series of developments, until by the 3rd century AD it was the universal sidearm of both infantry and cavalry.

Thanks to its long reach, the spatha was the ideal cavalry weapon, replacing the long gladius hispaniensis in the later Republican period. As the manner in which Roman infantrymen fought evolved, styles of hand-to-hand combat changed so much that the gladius was superseded by the longer spatha during the 2nd century AD. Like the gladius, the spatha was technologically advanced, with a carefully controlled use of steel. Easy maintenance was key to its success and the spatha was designed to be easily repaired in the field where access to a forge may have been limited. It remained the main Roman sword into the Late Roman period and its influence survived into the Dark Ages with Byzantine, Carolingian and Viking blades.

Drawing together historical accounts, excavated artifacts and the results of the latest scientific analyses of the blades, renowned authority M.C. Bishop reveals the full history of the development, technology, training and use of the spatha: the sword that defended an empire. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid January 2020 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975027 Cashner, Bob 027 The FN FAL Battle Rifle The breech-loading, single-shot .458 in Martini-Henry rifle has become a symbol of both the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the numerous battles in Egypt and the Sudan in 1884-85, but continued to be used by both British and colonial troops well into the 20th century. Its invention and introduction into British service were in direct response to the success of the Prussian Dreyse needle gun, which demonstrated that the breech-loading rifle offered faster loading, improved accuracy and superior range; significantly, the weapon could be loaded and fired from a prone position, thus offering the rifleman greater security on the battlefield.

Due to the longevity of service, many Martini-Henry rifles survive today, both in museums and in private collections, and the weapon is highly prized by shooting enthusiasts. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and an array of arresting first-hand accounts and written by an authority on warfare in the Victorian era, this engaging study tells the story of the powerful Martini-Henry and its impact on the battlefield, from the Anglo-Zulu War to the opening months of World War I. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975031 de Quesada, Alejandro 031 MP 38 and MP 40 SUBMACHINE GUNS Nazi Germany's MP 38 and MP 40 submachine guns are among World War II's most recognizable weapons. Portable and with folding stocks, both were widely issued to airborne troops and became the hallmark of Germany's infantry section and platoon leaders. A million were produced during the conflict - and many found their ways into the hands of paramilitary and irregular forces from Israel to Vietnam after the war.

Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and period and close-up photographs, this is the story of the origins, combat use, and lasting influence of these firearms.

Includes: Introduction, Development: A new breed of SMG, Use: The machine-pistol in combat, Impact: An influential SMG, Conclusion, Bibliography, and Index. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid July 2014 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975028 Dennis, Peter 028 THE BREN GUN Adopted in 1938 and remaining in British service until 1991, the popular and reliable Bren was an iconic light machine gun, and arguably the most recognizable Commonwealth weapon of World War II. Gas-operated and magazine-fed, it was based on a Czech design and was issued in large numbers during and after World War II, as a section-level automatic weapon.

Offering remarkable accuracy for an LMG, the Bren had an effective range of 600 yards, but could reach out to over 1,500 yards. It was generally fired from the prone position using a bipod, but could be fired from the hip when necessary. If kept clean, the Bren gave a reliable service in the harshest of environments, from the deserts of Libya to the Korean mountains in winter.

As well as widespread infantry use, the Bren was widely supplied to resistance movements in Occupied Europe. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and based on meticulous research, this is an engaging story of the iconic light machine gun that equipped British and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and in a host of postwar conflicts, right up to the Falklands and beyond. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late July 2013 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975020 Dockery, Kevin 020 THE M60 MACHINE GUN The US M60 General Purpose Machine Gun, known as 'the Pig,' was developed in the years after World War II from two revolutionary German designs. Adopted in 1957, the M60 came into its own in the jungles, hamlets, and city streets of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. 'Humping the Pig' became common in US military squads, with at least one soldier equipped with an M60 and every squad member carrying ammunition for it. The M60 design transformed infantry tactics as squads took advantage of the immediate volume of fire offered by the design.

Although it has now been replaced by the M240 series of weapons in US infantry and mechanized units, the M60 is still in common use with the US armed forces. Meanwhile, its iconic status has been assured by its frequent appearance in many popular films and television shows, from Full Metal Jacket to The A Team. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork, this is the full story of the M60, the innovative squad base-of-fire weapon that has equipped the US military from the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of Iraq. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid to late November 2012 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975058 Ferguson, Jonathan 058 THE 'BROOMHANDLE' MAUSER At a time when most handguns were limited to six rounds, the ten-shot Mauser caught the attention of the world for its unprecedented firepower and formidable high-velocity 7.63?25mm cartridge. This saw its ultimate expression in the first-ever select-fire handgun - the 'Schnellfeuer' machine pistol, fed by a detachable magazine and offering both full-automatic and single-shot modes.

The C 96 was the first semi-automatic pistol to see combat, arming both sides in the Second Anglo-Boer War, and seeing service with the German, Russian, Chinese and other militaries. Widely purchased commercially, it was carried by none other than Winston Churchill in the Sudan and South Africa, and became prized by the Irish Republican Army and Soviet revolutionaries.

Featuring full-color artwork and an array of revealing photographs, this is the engrossing story of the C 96 Broomhandle Mauser, the ground-breaking semi-automatic pistol that armed a generation of military personnel, adventurers and revolutionaries at the turn of the 20th century. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-dj, available mid October 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975034 Grant, Neil 034 THE LEWIS GUN During World War I, the British adopted the US-designed Lewis gun as an infantry weapon, realizing that its light weight and the fact that it could be fired both prone and on the move made it ideal for supporting advances and defending captured trenches.

Later adopted by an array of countries from the Netherlands to Japan, the Lewis successfully served as the primary or secondary armament in armored fighting vehicles and in both ground-based anti-aircraft and aircraft-mounted roles. Although it was superseded by the Bren in British service in 1937, the outbreak of World War II meant that thousands returned to active service, and it played a key role as far afield as Libya, with the Long-Range Desert Group, and the Philippines, with the US Marine Corps.

Written by an authority on this iconic light machine gun, this is the fascinating story of the innovative and influential Lewis gun, from the trenches of World War I to the Libyan desert and Pacific islands of World War II and beyond. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid March 2014 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975039 Grant, Neil 039 MAUSER MILITARY RIFLES This volume offers an insight into the iconic Mauser family of German bolt-action rifles. Drawing on first-hand accounts of the weapons in combat and primary sources regarding their mechanical performance, this fully illustrated study charts the Mauser's origins, combat record and lasting influence.

It explores the full range of Mauser rifles, beginning with the hugely successful Gew 98, which entered service in the time of the Kaiser, provided the basis for the US Springfield M1903 and equipped combatants such as the South African Boers. It also investigates the Kar 98k, which was still in front-line use with Wehrmacht troops in 1945, saw use with Mexican and Yugoslavian forces, and even played a role in the 1990s Balkan conflicts in the hands of snipers.

Featuring expert analysis, specially commissioned artwork and gripping first-hand accounts, this volume is ideal for anyone seeking an understanding of these sturdy and accurate rifles' unique place in the history of small-unit tactics in the 20th century. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975048 Grant, Neil 048 The Medieval Longsword The formidable European longsword - featuring a double-edged straight blade in excess of 40in, and capable of being used with one or both hands - remains one of the most impressive and distinctive edged weapons of the late medieval era. Also known as the 'bastard' sword and the 'hand-and-a-half' sword, the longsword evolved from the war swords and great swords of the 14th century, and emerged as a battlefield weapon in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War. It went on to become a key weapon on the battlefields of late medieval Europe, creating a new system of sword fighting.

Drawing together period sources, modern technical analysis and his own experiences with the longsword, Neil Grant explores the origins, manufacture and evolving use of this iconic late-medieval edged weapon. Illustrated throughout with specially commissioned full-colour artwork and an array of period illustrations and close-up photographs, this is the enthralling story of one of late-medieval Europe's most distinctive and deadly close-combat weapons.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late June 2020 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975049 Grant, Neil 049 SA80 ASSAULT RIFLES Now the standard weapon for British soldiers across the globe, the SA80's early years were surrounded in controversy after a series of dismal performances. It was prone to jamming in desert conditions, had several flimsy parts that would often break after repeated use and had an incredibly sensitive magazine catch. When these issues came to light the SA80 was lambasted by the news, leading to the Ministry of Defense ordering an extensive modification program that dramatically improved reliability.

Combat accounts and in-depth analysis of the SA80's performance in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq guide the reader through its troubled life, while vivid artwork helps to illustrate the transformation it underwent; from an unreliable rifle disliked by the soldiers who used it to being one of the world's most innovative and accurate small arms. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid September 2016 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975064 Grant, Neil 064 THE LUGER Patented in 1898 and produced from 1900, Georg Luger's iconic semi-automatic pistol became synonymous with Germany's armed forces throughout both world wars. Featuring full-color artwork, analysis, and archive and present-day photographs, this engaging study tells the story of the Luger.

Initially chambered for the 7.65x21mm round, from 1902 the Luger was designed for DWM's 9 x19mm round, which even today remains the most popular military handgun cartridge. It was adopted by the Imperial German Navy in 1904, followed by the German Army in 1908, receiving the name Pistole 08. Despite being supplanted by the Walther P38, the Luger remained in widespread service with all arms of Nazi Germany's armed forces throughout World War II, and even equipped East Germany's Volkpolizei in the years after 1945. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2018 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid September 2018 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975050 Harriman, Bill 050 THE MOSIN-NAGANT RIFLE The Mosin-Nagant is the world's longest-surviving and most widely distributed military rifle, having armed the forces of Russia and many other countries for over a century. It has seen action from World War I to the present day, but is most famous for its role during World War II where it proved to be an excellent sniping weapon in the hands of marksmen such as Vasili Zaitsev and Simo Hayha.

This study covers the rifles entire combat history, from its early development through to its service in combat and the impact it has had on modern firearms. Dramatic battle reports and specially-commissioned artwork complement the meticulously researched examination of the history of one of the most iconic rifles of World War II. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb ......$22.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975070 Harriman, Bill 070 THE ARISAKA RIFLE Entering service in 1897, the Arisaka family of bolt-action rifles armed Japanese troops and others through two world wars and many other conflicts, including the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05.

Issued in long and short versions - the latter for cavalry and specialists - the Type 30 was the first main Arisaka model, arming Imperial Japan's forces during the Russo-Japanese War, though after the war it was refined into the Type 38, which would still be in use in 1945. The main Arisaka rifle of World War II though was the Type 99. Lighter and more rugged than the US M1903 Springfield rifle, it would face in the initial battles in the Pacific, it was produced in four main variants, including a sniping model and a take-down parachutist's rifle.

Featuring full-color artwork as well as archive and close-up photographs, this is the absorbing story of the rifles arming Imperial Japan's forces, from the trenches of Mukden in 1905 to the beaches of Okinawa 40 years later. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975078 Harriman, Bill 078 THE BAYONET When a short knife was stuck into flintlock's muzzle, every soldier could be armed with a missile weapon as well as one that could be used for close combat. The only disadvantage was that the musket could not be loaded or fired while the plug bayonet was in place. The socket bayonet solved this problem and the musket/bayonet combination became the universal infantry weapon from c.1700 to c.1870.

The advent of shorter rifled firearms saw the attachment of short swords to rifle barrels. Their longer blades still gave the infantryman the 'reach' that contemporaries believed he needed to fend off cavalry attacks.

The perfection of the small-bore magazine rifle in the 1890s saw the bayonet lose its tactical importance, becoming smaller and more knife-like, a trend that continued in the world wars. When assault rifles predominated from the 1950s onwards, the bayonet became a weapon of last resort. Its potential usefulness continued to be recognized, but its blade was often combined with an item with some additional function, most notably a wire-cutter.

Ultimately, for all its fearsome reputation as a visceral, close-quarter fighting weapon, the bayonet's greatest impact was actually as a psychological weapon. Featuring full-colour artwork as well as archive and close-up photographs, this examines the weapon attached to every soldier's firearm from the army of Louis XIV to modern-day forces.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2021 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid April 2021 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975015 Hodges, Robert R 015 THE BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE For nearly fifty years the hard-hitting, mobile Browning Automatic Rifle, or BAR, served in US infantry units as a light squad automatic 'base of fire' weapon, providing quick bursts of concentrated fire. Designed in WWI, it didn't reach the front until September 1918. In the interwar years, US forces used the BAR across the world, from China to Nicaragua. It also became a favorite of notorious gangsters like Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, who prized its ability to punch through police armored cars.

At the outset of World War II, the US armed forces decided to adapt the BAR for a light machine gun role. The BAR was not without its flaws; it was heavy and difficult to dismantle and reassemble, and it didn't cope well with sustained fire. Nevertheless, the BAR saw action in every major theater of World War II and went on to be used in Korea and in the opening stages of the Vietnam War. Featuring arresting first-hand accounts, specially drawn full-color artwork, and close-up photographs, many in color, this lively study offers a vivid portrait of this powerful, long-lived and innovative weapon that saw service with US and other forces across the world for much of the 20th century. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late April 2012 ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975080 Houghton, Steve 080 BRITISH SNIPING RIFLES SINCE 1970: L42A1, L96A1 AND L115A3 In response to the challenge of the Soviet Dragunov self-loading rifle, the British Army adopted the 7.62mm L42A1 bolt-action sniping rifle in 1970. The L42A1 was deployed in Dhofar and Northern Ireland, but arguably saw its finest hour during the Falklands War in 1982. The harsh conditions of the South Atlantic laid bare the L42A1's inadequacies and a new company, Accuracy International, won the contract to replace it.

The PM Rifle, a world-beating revolutionary design, was adopted in 1985 as the L96A1. Progressively upgraded, the L96A1 went on to serve as the British Army's primary sniper system, being deployed in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The L115A3, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, joined the L96A1 in the front line in 2008 and since 2012 has been Britain's standard issue sniping rifle. Featuring full-color artwork and close-up photographs, this absorbing study assesses the development, combat use, impact and legacy of these three iconic British sniping weapons. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2021 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid November 2021 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975062 Langellier, John 062 THE TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD: From the Little Bighorn to San Juan Hill Intended to replace the proliferation of different small arms fielded by US forces during the American Civil War, the 'Trapdoor Springfield' was designed in 1865-66 by Erskine S. Allin. Using metallic cartridges, it could be loaded in a single action, increasing the number of shots per minute as much as fivefold. The new weapon quickly proved its worth in two separate incidents in August 1867: small groups of US soldiers and civilians armed with the trapdoor repulsed numerically superior Native American contingents. A simple and cost-effective weapon, it was used, along with its variants in every US conflict in the three decades after the Civil War, especially on the American frontier.

Drawing upon first-hand accounts from US soldiers, their Native American opponents, and users such as buffalo hunters, this is the story of the Trapdoor Springfield, one of the defining weapons of the Indian Wars. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2018 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid June 2018 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975059 Larsen, Alan 059 THE CAVALRY LANCE The development of cavalry firearms and the widespread disappearance of armor from the European battlefield saw a decline in the use of the cavalry lance in early modern warfare. However, by 1800 the lance, much changed from its medieval predecessors in both form and function, was back.

During the next century the use of the lance spread to the armed forces of almost every Western country, seeing action in every major conflict from the Napoleonic Wars to World War I including the Crimean and Franco-Prussian wars and across the Atlantic in the American Civil War. The lance even reached the colonial conflicts of the Anglo-Sikh and Boer wars. It was not until the disappearance of the mounted warrior from the battlefield that the lance was consigned to history.

Featuring specially commissioned artwork and drawing upon a variety of sources, this is the engaging story of the cavalry lance at war during the 19th and 20th centuries, from Waterloo to the Somme. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid November 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975030 Loades, Mike 030 THE LONGBOW An iconic medieval missile weapon, the deadly longbow made possible the English victories at Crecy and Poitiers at the height of the Hundred Years' War. The longbow was the weapon at the heart of the English military ascendancy in the century after 1340.

Capable of subjecting the enemy to a hail of deadly projectiles, the longbow in the hands of massed archers made possible the extraordinary victories enjoyed by English forces over superior numbers at Crecy and Poitiers, and remained a key battlefield weapon throughout the Wars of the Roses and beyond. It also played a leading role in raiding, siege and naval warfare.

Its influence and use spread to the armies of Burgundy, Scotland and other powers, and its reputation as a cost-effective and easily produced weapon led to calls for its widespread adoption among the nascent armies of the American Republic as late as the 1770s. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975043 Loades, Mike 043 THE COMPOSITE BOW An ancient design, emerging from Central Asia in the second millennium BC, the composite bow was adopted by a staggering variety of cultures, from nomadic tribal peoples such as the Huns, Turks and Mongols, to mighty empires such as the Romans, Byzantines, Persians, Arabs and Chinese. Offering high power and portability, the composite bow was an ideal cavalry weapon, though it was also used by infantry in open battle and as a siege weapon.

In this important study, an expert on Eastern military technology tells the story of this extraordinary piece of military hardware; how it was made and how various cultures developed differing tactics for using it. He explains why the composite bow achieved such stunning successes and how it endured as a weapon of choice for thousands of years. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late August 2016 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975061 Loades, Mike 061 THE CROSSBOW Technologically sophisticated and powerful, the crossbow has long enjoyed a popular reputation for villainous superiority because it could be used with little training as a weapon of assassination. The study of bow designs, trigger mechanisms and spanning devices reveals a tale of considerable mechanical ingenuity; advances that produced a battlefield weapon requiring comparatively little training to use. It was an extremely useful weapon, and especially effective in siege warfare for both attack and defense.

Known to the Ancient Greeks and the Chinese as early as the 5th century BC, the crossbow developed both in Western Europe and in the Far East. Advances in trigger mechanisms, spanning and bow design allowed the development of ever more powerful bows. In this study acknowledged weaponry expert Mike Loades traces the origins, development, combat record and lasting legacy of the crossbow, the formidable projectile weapon that played a key role in a host of battles and sieges across Europe and Asia. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2018 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late March 2018 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975026 Manning, Stephen 026 THE MARTINI-HENRY RIFLE The breech-loading, single-shot .458in Martini-Henry rifle has become a symbol of both the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the numerous battles in Egypt and the Sudan in 1884-85, but continued to be used by both British and colonial troops well into the 20th century. Its invention and introduction into British service were in direct response to the success of the Prussian Dreyse needle gun, which demonstrated that the breech-loading rifle offered faster loading, improved accuracy and superior range; significantly, the weapon could be loaded and fired from a prone position, thus offering the rifleman greater security on the battlefield.

Due to the longevity of service, many Martini-Henry rifles survive today, both in museums and in private collections, and the weapon is highly prized by shooting enthusiasts. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and an array of arresting first-hand accounts and written by an authority on warfare in the Victorian era, this engaging study tells the story of the powerful Martini-Henry and its impact on the battlefield, from the Anglo-Zulu War to the opening months of World War I. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late May 2013 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975019 Maze, Robert 019 The Webley Service Revolver The Webley .455-inch service revolver is among the most powerful top-break revolvers ever produced. First adopted in 1887, in various marques it was the standard-issue service pistol for British and Commonwealth armed forces for nearly fifty years; later versions in .38-inch calibre went on to see further service in World War II and beyond, as well as in a host of law-enforcement roles around the world into the 1970s.

Developed to give British service personnel the ability to incapacitate their opponents in 'small wars' around the globe, the Webley used the formidable - and controversial - .455-inch cartridge, a variant of which was known as the 'manstopper'. Users found it offered good penetration and excellent stopping power with only mild recoil - indeed, it was rated superior to the US .45 Colt in stopping power. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and close-up photographs, this is the compelling story of the Webley revolver, the powerful pistol that saw service across the British Empire and throughout two world wars. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid to late August 2012 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975003 McLachlan, Sean 03 MEDIEVAL HANDGONNES - The first black powder infantry weapons In the early 14th century, a new weapon entered the arsenals of European armies. This first generation of black powder weapons put fear into the heart of the enemy and in 1453 Ottoman cannon succeeded in pummelling the once-impregnable walls of Constantinople. But cannons, which are both slow and cumbersome, were difficult to use and often proved inaccurate. The first handgonnes were the answer. Easily dismissed by later historians as nothing more than crude tubes that shot wildly inaccurate lead balls, more recent research has revealed the true accuracy of the medieval handgonne together with its penetrative power. This volume, complete with detailed illustrations and colour photographs of reconstructed handgonnes, reveals the true history of what could easily have been the most revolutionary weapon in history.This book will be a must for medieval enthusiasts and re-enactors. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2010 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975012 McNab, Chris 012 The Uzi Submachine Gun The Uzi submachine gun is one of the most recognizable weapons in history. Its familiarity stems in part from the sheer diversity of its users. Uzis have been seen being wielded and fired by US Secret Service agents and SWAT teams, Israeli soldiers, European special-forces, as well as criminals and terrorists the world over. The reasons they use the Uzi are simple - it provides devastating close-range firepower in a reliable, highly compact weapon.

This book explores the gun's technical development and specifications, but also describes the and analyzes Uzi's combat use in a wide range of contexts, from Israeli soldiers battling on the Golan Heights in 1967, through to modern pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. This book presents the facts and challenges the myths surrounding this remarkable weapon. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late November 2011 ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975021 McNab, Chris 021 MG 34 and MG 42 MACHINE GUNS With the MG 34, the German Wehrmacht introduced an entirely new concept in automatic firepower - the general-purpose machine gun (GPMG). In itself the MG 34 was an excellent weapon: an air-cooled, recoil-operated machine gun that could deliver killing firepower at ranges of more than 1,000m. Yet simply by changing its mount and feed mechanism, the operator could radically transform its function. On its standard bipod it was a light machine gun, ideal for infantry assaults; on a tripod it could serve as a sustained-fire medium machine gun.

During World War II, the MG 34 was superseded by a new GPMG - the MG 42. More efficient to manufacture and more robust, it had a blistering 1,200rpm rate of fire. Nicknamed 'Hitler's buzzsaw' by Allied troops, it was arguably the finest all-round GPMG ever produced, and alongside the MG 34 it inflicted heavy casualties. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and drawing upon numerous technical manuals and first-hand accounts, this study explores the technological development, varied roles and lasting influence of the revolutionary MG 34 and MG 42 machine guns and their postwar successors. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975033 McNab, Chris 033 SOVIET SUBMACHINE GUNS OF WORLD WAR II: PPD-40, PPSh-41 and PPS The submachine gun (SMG) came to be the embodiment of the Soviet fighting spirit during World War II. From 1943 the Red Army's preference for close-quarters combat resulted in entire infantry units being equipped with nothing but SMGs. By deploying multiple SMG-armed companies and battalions, the Red Army was able to develop ferocious firepower in urban warfare and position assaults, the soldiers keeping within the SMG's effective range of about 150m to nullify the German skills in armoured and manoeuvre warfare, artillery support and aerial bombardment. Featuring expert analysis and an array of specially commissioned full-colour artwork, this engaging study explains the history, use and development of Soviet wartime SMGs in detail. It gives particular focus to the tactical applications of these weapons in combat, and how they compared to firearms wielded by their German opponents. With numerous first-hand combat accounts, and detailed technical explanations, this book is ideal for both the general reader and the firearms enthusiast.

Contents
* Introduction
* Development: Guns for the masses
* Use: Firepower on the Eastern Front
* Impact: The SMGs and the new world order
* Conclusion
* Bibliography
* Glossary
* Index 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid May 2014 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975041 Mcnab, Chris 041 THE FLAMETHROWER The focus of this book is a weapon that has literally placed the power of fire in human hands - the man-portable flamethrower. This formidable weapon first saw battlefield use in the hands of German troops during World War I, and went on to arm the forces of many countries in World War II and beyond. Capable of inflicting horrific injuries - or of using up the oxygen supply inside a building, causing the occupants to suffocate - it projected a stream of flammable liquid, which could be 'bounced' off the interior surfaces of tunnels, buildings and other defended structures to reach deep inside a fortification.

From its combat debut to its deployment in Vietnam, Chechnya, and elsewhere, the flamethrower has proven to be devastatingly effective, not least because of its huge psychological impact on enemy troops. Yet despite this, the weapon and its operators have always been vulnerable, suffering from a very particular set of limitations, all of which are explored here. Featuring expert analysis, first-hand accounts and a startling array of illustrations and photographs, this is the definitive guide to an extraordinary chapter in the history of military technology. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid August 2015 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975045 McNab, Chris 045 THE BARRETT RIFLE: Sniping and Anti-Materiel Rifles in the War on Terror The Barrett M82A1 and its derivatives are among the most successful sniping rifles ever manufactured. Now entering its fourth decade of service, the short-recoil, semi-automatic system is capable of firing a devastating .50-caliber round with lethal accuracy over distances of more than 2km. Unconfirmed reports from Afghanistan in 2012 accredit the Barrett with one of history's longest ever kills at 2,815m.

This is the technical history of a rifle initially developed as a sporting firearm, but which evolved into a long-range sniping rifle and a formidable military anti-materiel tool, designed to neutralize everything from enemy vehicles to parked aircraft. Adopted by snipers across the world, the Barrett rifles have seen active service in Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan and have become an important addition to police, armed services, and Special Forces units alike. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid March 2016 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975053 McNab, Chris 053 THE FN MINIMI LIGHT MACHINE GUN: M249, L108A1, L110A2, and other variants In 1974, renowned Belgian arms company Fabrique Nationale brought out a ground-breaking new light machine gun, the Minimi. Its success has been meteoric, arming more than 45 countries around the world.

The Minimi offers the ultimate in portable firepower. Firing the high-velocity 5.56?45mm round, the Minimi is a gas-operated, lightweight, belt- or magazine-fed weapon, able to burn through cartridges at a cyclical rate of up to 1,150 rounds per minute, making it the weapon of choice for fire support at squad level.

This study uses gripping first-hand accounts and striking combat photographs, following the Minimi to war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. It tracks its design and development, as well as investigating what has made it so compelling a choice for armed forces around the world for more than 40 years. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late February 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975063 McNab, Chris 063 THE FN MAG MACHINE GUN: M240, L7, and Other Variants For six decades, the 7.62mm FN MAG has been a dominant general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) in worldwide arsenals. Three qualities have guaranteed this enduring status - reliability, ease of operation, and firepower. Several nations have license-produced the weapon as their standard GPMG, including the British (as the L7) and the Americans (M240), and in total more than 80 nations have adopted the FN MAG. The machine gun has also been modified extensively for vehicular, naval, and aircraft platforms, demonstrating versatility in the air, on sea, and on land.

In this book, Chris McNab charts the technical evolution of this extraordinary weapon, created by Belgian company Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal. From the jungles of South East Asia, to the deserts of the Middle East, and the icy battlefields of the Falklands, this study explores the origins, development, combat use, and legacy of the FN MAG machine gun, a dominant weapon in its field for more than a half-century.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2018 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975077 McNab, Chris 077 THE M4 CARBINE The M4 carbine has become one of the defining military firearms of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Developed as a fusion of the XM177E2 Colt Commando and the M16A2 assault rifle, the M4 offered a more convenient battlefield firearm than the full-length M16 variants, and the US Army adopted it as the standard infantry weapon in the 1990s. Today, military and law-enforcement personnel of more than 60 countries have adopted either the M4 or the M4A1 variant, both of which have been tested and proven in major combat operations worldwide.

This study describes the development process in detail, from production of the first XM4 prototypes in 1984 through numerous modified types until it emerged into official use as the M4 in 1994. The M4 offered a weapon that was 1lb lighter and 6in shorter than the standard M16A2, yet could still deliver precision semi-auto and full-auto firepower up to an effective range of 500m. Over time, its capabilities have been enhanced by the M4A1 modifications plus an extensive range of tactical accessories, including optical day/night sights, laser/infrared designators, under-barrel grenade launchers and shotgun modules, foregrips, furniture options, mounting rails, and sound suppressors.

Numerous M4/M4A1 combat operations are investigated to reveal why the weapon has received such high levels of approval by front-line combat troops, not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the M4/M4A1 has been intensively combat-tested, but also in contexts such as Colombia, India, Israel, and the Philippines. Profusely illustrated with photographs and artworks, and drawing its research from the latest declassified documents, this is a complete guide to one of the most important and widely distributed tactical infantry weapons of the last quarter-century. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2020 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-paperback, available mid March 2021 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975081 McNab, Chris 081 Soviet Machine Guns of World War II Weapon series. Examines how the Soviet armed forces developed and deployed a range of machine guns in WWII that fitted with their offensive and defensive infantry tactics across six years of total war. Discusses how these machine guns were distributed and tactically applied and provides numerous examples of the weapons in action, from assault teams on the streets of Stalingrad to tank crews struggling for survival at Kursk. Illustrated with high-quality photographs and specially commissioned artwork. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2022 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid February 2022 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975087 McNab, Chris 087 THE SVD DRAGUNOV RIFLE Explores the development and performance of this USSR medium-range sniping rifle in the 1960s. The Dragunov stood out against most Western sniping rifle types by being semi-automatic, a configuration that marginally lowers accuracy compared to bolt-action sniping rifles, but which allows for faster follow-up shots. Even so, the SVD is still capable of taking precision killing shots out to 800m and beyond, making it a thoroughly practical combat weapon for marksmen and snipers. It is the world's most widespread sniping rifle, still in use in the former Soviet armies and sold to more than 40 countries worldwide. Illustrated with cutaway artwork and battlescenes, plus technical and historical photographs. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2023 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid June 2023 ......$23.00 with a discount of 15% inc

1-975065 Moss, Matthew 065 The Sterling Submachine Gun Designed by a motorcycle racer turned small-arms engineer, George Patchett, the submachine gun that eventually became known as the Sterling was developed during World War II. Some suggest it first saw action during Operation Infatuate with No. 4 Commando, before becoming fully adopted by the British Army in 1953 as the Sterling Machine Carbine (L2A1).

It was centre stage for many of Britain's post-colonial conflicts from Malaya to Kenya and from Yemen to Northern Ireland. The silenced L34A1 Sterling-Patchett entered service in 1966 and first saw action deep in the jungles of Vietnam in the hands of the elite special forces of Australia, New Zealand and the United States during prisoner snatches and reconnaissance patrols.

Employing first-hand accounts and painstaking technical analysis, this engaging account features carefully selected archive photography and specially commissioned colour artwork depicting the submachine gun that armed British and other forces for nearly 60 years.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2018 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975066 Moss, Matthew 066 WEAPONS OF THE VIKING WARRIOR Between the late 8th and late 11th century Viking warriors had a massive impact not just in northern Europe, but across a huge arc from the western Mediterranean round through northern Europe and the Baltic to the Middle East and Central Asia. Their success depended in part on their skills in battle, their unique sense of strategic mobility, and on the quality of their weapons and equipment. Written by an expert on early medieval weaponry, this book examines the weapons of the typical Viking warrior, dispels some of the myths of the popular image, such as double-headed axes, and considers the range of weapons that actually underpinned the Vikings' success including bows and arrows.

Drawing upon contemporary literary and historical accounts from the North Atlantic to the Arab world, surviving examples of weapons and armour, and practical experimentation and reconstructions by modern weapon-smiths and re-enactors, this study casts new light on how Viking weapons were made and used in battle. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid January 2019 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975074 Moss, Matthew 074 The PIAT - Britain's anti-tank weapon of World War II Designed in 1942, Britain's innovative Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT) provided British and Commonwealth troops with a much-needed means of taking on Germany's formidable Panzers. Replacing the inadequate Boys anti-tank rifle, it was conceived in the top-secret World War II research and development organization known colloquially as 'Churchill's Toyshop', alongside other ingenious weapons such as the sticky bomb, the limpet mine, and the time-pencil fuse.

Unlike the more famous US bazooka, the PIAT had its roots in something simpler than rocket science. Operated from the shoulder, the PIAT was a spigot mortar which fired a heavy high-explosive bomb, with its main spring soaking up the recoil. The PIAT had a limited effective range. Troops required nerves of steel to get close enough to an enemy tank to ensure a direct hit, often approaching to within 50ft of the target, and no fewer than six Victoria Crosses were won during World War II by soldiers operating PIATs.

A front-line weapon in every theatre of the conflict in which Commonwealth troops fought, from Europe to the Far East, the PIAT remained in service after 1945, seeing action during the Greek Civil War, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the Korean War.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2020 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid August 2020 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975024 NcNab, Chris 024 GERMAN AUTOMATIC RIFLES 1941-45: Gew 41, Gew 43, FG 42 and StG 44 This book explores the origins, development, combat use and lasting influence of Nazi Germany's automatic rifles, focusing on the Gew 41(W), Gew 43/Kar 43, FG 42, and MP 43/StG 44. The Blitzkrieg campaigns of 1939-40 convinced many observers that most infantry combat took place at closer ranges than the 750-1,000m. From 1941 Germany's arms designers took note and produced a new series of infantry firearms.

This study not only provides a detailed technical description of each weapon, but also explores how the firearms performed on the battlefields of World War II. The combat takes us from the FG 42 in the hands of Fallschirmjager at Monte Cassino through to StG 44s being used by Waffen-SS soldiers on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Postwar service is also studied, such as the Gew 43's adoption by the Czech Army and the StG 44's use by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War. Sets each firearm in its tactical and historical context, and employing striking photographs and full-color artwork.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid March 2013 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975069 NcNab, Chris 069 WEAPONS OF THE US SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND The units and formations of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) have privileged access to the finest weaponry in the world's arsenal. Whether Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines, the SOCOM troops select weapons that match their mission requirements, but which also sit at the cutting edge of combat technology.

This means that, while SOCOM troops frequently use standard-issue weaponry, they also adopt many specialist pieces of kit that are not so accessible to the broader armed services, including sniper rifles, battle rifles, and machine guns, as well as high-tech tactical accessories used to transform standard weaponry into something exceptional.

Assessing the technology and capabilities of these combat weapons, as well as how they have been used in modern combat, this fully-illustrated study lifts the veil on some of the most distinctive hand-held weapon systems of US special operations forces since 1987. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid July 2019 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975076 Nemeth, Balazs 076 EARLY MILITARY RIFLES 1740-1850 In the decades after 1815, the appearance of successful rifled percussion firearms paved the way for the widespread issue of rifled weapons -- accelerated by the Prussian adoption of the Dreyse 'needle gun' in 1848 and in 1849. The French Minie rifle was the first successful conical ball rifle concept to be issued to regular troops in large numbers. Illustrated throughout with full-color artwork, this study charts the development, combat use, influence and legacy of rifled firearms in a host of conflicts, from the War of the Austrian Succession of 1740-48 to the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2020 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late November 2020 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975001 Pegler, Martin 01 Thompson Submachine Gun, The The Thompson submachine gun, or Tommy gun developed an almost iconic status during the 20th century. It had an unusual beginning, for it was developed during the dying days of World War I as a 'one-man, hand-held machine gun.' The war ended before these first prototypes could be shipped to Europe but once the M1921 Thompson formally entered production it was used by the criminals working in Chicago and New York during the 1920s.

With the police increasingly outgunned they too were forced to equip themselves with the Tommy gun. It quickly came to be used in Hollywood films, and by the end of the 1930s it would have probably faded from view had history not intervened. With the entry of the US into World War II there was an urgent need to equip and arm a force of epic proportions; the Thompson submachine gun began a second career as part of the US Army. It also became the weapon of choice for the small band of British commandos as they conducted a number of daring raids against the heart of occupied Europe. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2010 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975006 Pegler, Martin 06 Sniper Rifles - From the 19th to the 21st Century A technical outline of the history of the sniper rifle, from its introduction in warfare during the Napoleonic wars, through the US Civil War to its current apogee as the most frequently used combat rifle in Iraq and Afghanistan. This book details the development of ammunition, different weapons types including single shot, magazine loading and semi-automatic, as well as the introduction and use of optical sights.

Martin Pegler, a leading expert on the history of sniping and former Senior Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armouries Leeds, also details the current advances in technology, such as laser range-finding sights and night vision devices. Using first-hand accounts, the book brings the dangerous world of the sniper to life revealing their training and concealment techniques as well as their mastering of their weapon of choice. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2010 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975017 Pegler, MArtin 017 THE LEE-ENFIELD RIFLE The Lee-Enfield is one of the 20th century's most recognizable and longest-serving military rifles. It was adopted by the British Army in 1895 and only replaced by the L1A1 SLR in 1957. It saw combat from the Boer War onwards, and thousands are still in use today; it is estimated that 17 million have been produced. Soldier's recollections of the rifle are overwhelmingly affectionate (it was known as the Smellie); today it remains a very popular target rifle for competitive shooting, and modern copies are being manufactured to meet demand. Featuring first-hand accounts, brand-new full-colour artwork and close-up photographs, this is the story of the Lee-Enfield, the innovative, reliable and long-lived rifle that equipped British and other forces through the world wars and beyond.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975025 Pegler, Martin 025 THE VICKERS-MAXIM MACHINE GUN The world's first self-powered machine gun, the Maxim gun became a potent symbol of Victorian colonialism in the closing years of the 19th century. It was the brainchild of Sir Hiram Maxim, the American-born firearms inventor who founded the company bearing his name with financing from Albert Vickers, who became the company's chairman; Maxim's company was absorbed by Vickers, Sons and Company in 1897.

Subsequent variants in British, German and Russian service - the .303in Vickers (1912), 7.92mm MG 08 (1908) and 7.62mm PM M1910, respectively - dominated both the Eastern and Western Fronts during World War I and soldiered on into World War II, while the Vickers remained in front-line British service essentially unchanged until 1968.

Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and written by a noted authority, this is the engaging story of the Maxim and its descendants, the innovative rapid-fire weapons that saw combat with British, German, Russian and other forces in the late Victorian era and throughout the world wars 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late May 2013 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975042 Pegler, Martin 042 Winchester Lever-Action Rifles Winchester lever-action repeating rifles are an integral part of the folklore of the American West. Introduced after the American Civil War, the first Winchester, the M1866, would go on to see military service as far afield as Bulgaria, but it was in the hands of civilians that it would become known as 'The gun that won the west'.

Offering a lethal combination of portability, ruggedness and ammunition interchangeability with pistol sidearms, the Winchesters and their innovative and elegant breech-loading system represented a revolutionary design. They were used by a staggering variety of military and civilian groups - gold-miners, trappers, hunters, farmers, lawmen, professional gunmen and Native Americans. It equipped a whole generation of settlers and as such left an imprint on American culture that continues to resonate today. This book explores the Winchesters' unique place in history, revealing the technical secrets of their success with a full array of colour artwork, period illustrations and close-up photographs 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late October 2015 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975052 Pegler, Martin 052 COLT SINGLE-ACTION REVOLVERS In 1836, Samuel Colt changed the face of warfare with the production of the first of a series of iconic and influential single-action revolvers, including the .44-caliber Colt Walker and the seminal .45-caliber Colt Single Action Army, which remains in production today. These weapons shifted the role of the pistol from single-shot weapon of last resort to a practical and powerful sidearm that gave the user the ability to defend himself once his primary armament was discharged. It transformed cavalry tactics and relegated the sword to a largely ceremonial role in many armies.

Featuring full-color artwork, expert analysis and gripping first-hand accounts, this is the absorbing story of Colt's family of single-action revolvers, covering their origins, development, use and lasting impact on the modern world. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late January 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975056 Pegler, Martin 056 SHARPSHOOTING RIFLES OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: Colt, Sharps, Spencer, and Whitworth At the outset of the American Civil War, the Union Army's sharpshooters were initially equipped with the M1855 Colt revolving rifle, but it was prone to malfunction. Instead, the North's sharpshooters preferred the Sharps rifle, an innovative breech-loading weapon capable of firing up to ten shots per minute - more than three times the rate of fire offered by the standard-issue Springfield .58-caliber rifled musket. Other Union sharpshooters were equipped with the standard-issue Springfield rifled musket or the .56-caliber Spencer Repeating Rifle.

Conversely, the Confederacy favored the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifled musket for its sharpshooters and also imported from Britain the Whitworth Rifle, a .45-caliber, single-shot, muzzle-loading weapon distinguished by its use of a twisted hexagonal barrel. Featuring specially commissioned artwork, this is the engrossing story of the innovative rifles that saw combat in the hands of sharpshooters on both sides during the Civil War. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late August 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975067 Pegler, Martin 067 SNIPING RIFLES ON THE EASTEERN FRONT 1939-45 The Soviet Union had developed a significant sniping force by 1939, but the extraordinary skill and cunning displayed by Finnish snipers during the Winter War forced the Soviets to innovate. On the other side, German sniping suffered from a lack of standardization of weapons and a lack of marksmen deployed at the start of the Great Patriotic War (1941-45). There were few heroes in the conflict, but on both sides, the snipers were idolized - especially on the Soviet side, gaining almost mythical status.

As well as traditional bolt-action weapons, both sides used several types of semi-automatic rifle, such as the SVT-38 and the Gew 41. Offering greater firepower at the expense of long-range accuracy, such weapons would be profoundly influential in the postwar world. Fully illustrated, this investigates the development of sniping weapons and techniques on World War II's Eastern Front. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid March 2019 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975083 Pegler, Martin 083 SNIPING RIFLES IN WORLD WAR I Highly illustrated volume tells the inside story of the rifles carried by snipers of all the major powers during World War I. Features full-color artwork, carefully chosen archive images and photographs of the sniping rifles and accessories used in the trenches.

Although military sharpshooting had existed since the 18th century, in 1914 only the German and Austro-Hungarian armies fielded trained snipers armed with scoped rifles. Thus upon the outbreak of World War I, the Allied armies found themselves on the receiving end of a shooting war to which they had no means of response. Only the Canadians brought a dedicated sniping rifle into the trenches, but in small numbers. For the British, although production of a suitable rifle and scope were settled on quickly, the establishment of sniper training was difficult and its success was mostly due to the efforts of a handful of dedicated officers. The French eventually introduced a competent scoped rifle and a sniper training system, as did the Italians. Entering the war in 1917, the Americans experienced rifle shortages but were able to build on their pre-1914 efforts to find a suitable sniping weapon. The country that suffered most grievously was Russia; Russian troops fielded no snipers at all and suffered accordingly. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2022 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid May 2022 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% inc

1-975044 Reid, Stuart 044 THE FLINTLOCK MUSKET: Brown Bess and Charleville 1715-1865 The flintlock or firelock musket is one of the most iconic weapons in history: first used on the battlefields of the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War, it was carried by both sides at Bunker Hill, Waterloo and the Alamo, and dominated warfare for more than 150 years, with military service as late as the American Civil War in the 1860s.

Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork, this engaging study examines the role that the flintlock played in close-order combat on European and other battlefields around the world. Employing first-hand accounts to show how tactical doctrines were successfully developed to overcome the weapon's inherent limitations, and exploring the use of the flintlock musket by individuals in irregular warfare, chiefly in North America, this volume offers a comprehensive analysis of the flintlock's lasting impact as the first truly universal soldier's weapon. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid January 2016 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975008 Rottman, Gordon 08 KALASHNIKOV AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLE The Kalashnikov AK-47 is the most ubiquitous assault rifle in the world, with more AK-47s and its variants in use than any other individual small arm. Created by Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov, and first adopted by the USSR soon after World War II, its production continues to this day, with an estimated 75 million produced worldwide. This book takes a look at the complete history of the weapon, discussing its design, development, and usage, taking its story from the great armies of the Soviet Union to the insurgents and criminal gangs that often employ the weapon today. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975014 Rottman, Gordon 014 THE M16 The M16 was first introduced in 1958 and was revolutionary for its time as it was made of lightweight materials including special aluminum and plastics. It was first adopted by US Special Forces and airborne troops in 1962 before it was issued to Army and Marine units serving in Vietnam. Its use spread throughout the following decades and a number of variants including submachine and carbine versions were also fielded.

As a result it is now amongst the three most used combat cartridges in the world while over 10 million M16s and variants have been produced making it one of the most successful American handheld weapons in history .But despite its undeniable success the M16 is not without its detractors. Indeed, the 'black rifle', as it is known, is one of the most controversial rifles ever introduced with a long history of design defects, ruggedness issues, cleaning difficulties and reliability problems leading to endless technical refinements.

This volume provides a technical history of the M16 and the struggle to perfect it together with an assessment of its impact on the battlefield drawing on over a decade's combat experience with the rifle. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late Apri 2012 ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975018 Rottman, Gordon 018 THE BAZOOKA Most belligerents entering World War II armed their infantry with bulky and ineffectual anti-tank rifles as their primary means of combating tanks. US planners realized that what infantrymen needed was a relatively lightweight, man-portable anti-tank weapon that was simple to operate, accurate, and capable of knocking out the average tank at a reasonable range, while also being effective against fortified buildings, pillboxes, and personnel in the open.

The bazooka combined a revolutionary new anti-tank rifle-grenade warhead, a much-modified British anti-aircraft rocket motor, and a cobbled-together launcher tube and electrical firing system; its first test-firing astounded observers, and it was immediately adopted by the US armed forces. Featuring specially drawn color artwork, this engaging study tells the story of the bazooka, which set the standard for future light anti-tank weapons and their ammunition, and was a key influence on anti-tank tactics and techniques in the post-war era. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late June 2012 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975032 Rottman, Gordon 032 BROWNING .30-caliber Machine Guns First adopted in 1917, the rugged and reliable Browning .30-caliber machine gun remained in US service into the Vietnam era, and is still occasionally found in use elsewhere even today. Produced in both water-cooled and air-cooled versions, it has been employed in every imaginable role for a machine gun -- anti-personnel, anti-aircraft, mounted on aircraft as both defensive and offensive armament, defensive armament aboard vehicles (armored and soft-skin), mounted on watercraft, and others.

Employing gripping first-hand testimony and featuring specially commissioned illustrations and detailed photographs, many in color, this lively study of the Browning .30-caliber machine gun reveals the origins, combat history and legacy of this versatile and dependable weapon. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975038 Rottman, Gordon 038 THE HAND GRENADE Allowing the user to inflict damage on his opponent within throwing range without leaving cover, the portable, lethally efficient hand grenade is a ubiquitous weapon of modern warfare, and has now found its way into law-enforcement arsenals too. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and an array of revealing photographs of grenades in use and in close-up, this engaging study explores and assesses the origins, development, combat use, and lasting legacy of the formidable military hand grenade. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975002 Rottman, Gordon L 02 Rocket Propelled Grenade, The The RPG-series of weapons is the most widely used family of lightweight antitank weapons in the world today. RPGs have been used not only against their intended targets, but against personnel, fortifications, buildings, soft-skin vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft. Lightweight, relatively compact, easy to operate and maintain, they meet most of the requirements of any armed group. Like any weapon system, RPGs and their ammunition have their limitations.

While these limitations are much touted by proponents of more advanced weapons, they lose sight of many armed groups' requirement for lightweight, compact, inexpensive, easy to operate and maintain weapons. Most sophisticated weapons tend to be just the opposite - heavy, cumbersome, excessively expensive, and requiring extensive training and an advanced support infrastructure. They are also more difficult to obtain due to export controls and restrictions.

To be effective, an army actually needs a mix of both sophisticated and uncomplicated weapons. Gordon Rottman provides a detailed analysis of perhaps one of the most important weapons to be developed in the 20th century. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2010 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975036 Rottman, Gordon L 036 PANZERFAUST AND PANZERSCHRECK Two of World War II's most distinctive weapons, the Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck, offered German and other infantrymen the ability to destroy enemy tanks single-handedly at close ranges.

While the Panzerschreck owed its origins largely to the US bazooka, the Panzerfaust was a revolutionary design that was unlike any previous weapon, and went on to influence anti-tank technology and tactics for decades after World War II.

Allied troops, notably Soviet forces, made widespread use of captured Panzerfauste, and they were also supplied to German allies such as Finland, Hungary and Bulgaria. This book reveals the fascinating development history of these two feared weapons and assesses the tactics that were employed by the soldiers using them.

Contents: Introduction, Development: A Melding of Technologies, Use: Hunting tanks, Impact: Technology and Tactics, Conclusion, Glossary, Bibliography, and Index. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975057 Rottmann, Gordon 057 US GRENADE LAUNCHERS: M79, M203, and M320 In an effort to provide the US infantryman with more firepower to cover the range gap between the hand grenade and the light mortar, the 40mm M79 grenade launcher -- a shoulder-fired, single-shot weapon -- entered service with US forces in 1961.

Reliable, easy to use, and lethally effective, the M79 soon became an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War and had a profound influence on small-unit tactics. As the Vietnam conflict continued, it was joined on the front line by experimental models such as the magazine-fed T148E1, as well as two launchers intended to be fitted under the barrel of the new M16 assault rifle: Colt's XM148 and AAI Corporation's M203.

The M203 remains in US Army service today, while the US Marine Corps now also fields the M32 multiple grenade launcher - like the M79, a standalone weapon. Featuring full-color artwork, this is the story of the rugged and formidable grenade launchers that equipped the United States and its allies in Vietnam and beyond from the 1960s to the present day. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2017 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid September 2017 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975010 Smithurst, Peter 10 THE PATTERN 1853 ENFIELD RIFLE The Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle was the first rifled firearm issued to every soldier in the British Army, and gave the infantry a revolutionary increase in firepower. First issued in 1853, the Enfield proved itself worthy during both the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, where its long range, durability, and interchangeable parts made it a perfect campaign rifle. However, it was during the American Civil War that the Enfield saw the greatest use, with over a million rifles being sold to the armies of both the North and South. This title takes an in-depth look at the design, the history, the mechanics, and the use of one of the most important firearms of the 19th century.
1 vol, 72 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975040 Smithurst, Peter 040 THE GATLING GUN A unique chapter in the history of firearms, the multi-barrel, hand-cranked Gatling gun was one of the first practical rapid-fire weapons ever to be used in battle. It changed warfare by introducing the capability to project deadly, high-intensity fire on the battlefield, and portended the devastation that automatic weapons would wreak in World War I.

During its 50-year career, it saw widespread service with US, British, and other forces on a host of battlefields through conflicts in Zululand and the American West, to the Spanish-American War. Although it saw widespread use in the hands of industrialized nations against various groups of indigenous native warriors, it was famously left behind by Custer at the battle of the Little Bighorn, where some argue it could have made all the difference.

Featuring full-color artwork plus contemporary and close-up photographs, this engaging study investigates the origins, development, combat use, and lasting influence of the formidable Gatling gun. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2015 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late May 2015 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975046 Thompsom, Leroy 046 THE M3 GREASE GUN Influenced by the German MP 40 and the British Sten, the .45-caliber M3 'Grease Gun' served as the primary US submachine gun for almost a half-century. Designed to replace the expensive Thompson SMG, the M3 was issued to airborne troops and others during World War II thanks to its compact design with sliding wire stock.

An improved variant, the M3A1, was favored by armored crews right up to the beginning of the 1990s, seeing service in 1991's Operation Desert Storm. In Korea and Vietnam, reconnaissance troops and special-operations forces were at times armed with the M3A1 -- also available in a suppressed version -- and it was the first SMG issued to the US counter-terrorist unit Delta Force. Featuring full-color artwork, first-hand accounts, and archive and close-up photographs, this is the engaging story of the M3 submachine gun. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late May 2016 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975047 Thompsom, Leroy 047 GERMAN MACHINE GUNS OF WORLD WAR I: MG 08 and MG 08/15 Germany's MG 08 machine gun won a formidable reputation on WWI battlefields from Tannenberg to the Somme. Although it was a lethally effective weapon when used from static positions, the MG 08 was far too heavy to perform a mobile role on the battlefield.

As the British and French began to deploy lighter machine guns alongside their heavier weapons, the Germans fielded the Danish Madsen and British Lewis as stopgaps, but chose to adapt the MG 08 into a compromise weapon -- the MG 08/15 -- which would play a central role in the revolutionary developments in infantry tactics that characterized the last months of the conflict. In the 1940s, the two weapons were still in service with German forces fighting in a new world war.

Drawing upon eyewitness battlefield reports, this absorbing study assesses the technical performance and combat record of these redoubtable and influential German machine guns, and their strengths and limitations in a variety of battlefield roles. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2016 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late May 2016 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975009 Thompson, Leroy 09 The Colt 1911 Pistol First used in combat during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico and then extensively during the world wars, the Colt Government Model (1911) pistol remained the standard issue handgun in the US armed forces for nearly 80 years and has continued in service with some units to this day. In fact, the M1911 has seen a resurgence amongst US Special Operations units as US Marine MARSOC and MEUSOC personnel are issued current generation 1911-type pistols. In addition the pistol has seen service with famous law enforcement agencies such as the Shanghai Municipal Police, LAPD Swat, and Texas Rangers. Nearly a century after its introduction, the M1911 pistol remains a popular design and is now produced by virtually every major firearms manufacturer doing business in the USA. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975011 Thompson, Leroy 011 THE BERETTA M9 PISTOL In 1990 the Beretta M9 replaced the venerable Colt 1911 as the main pistol of choice for the US Army, and it has seen widespread use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Written by a leading pistol expert who currently trains US Special Forces in the use of this weapon, this book is an honest appraisal of the successes and failings of the 9mm Beretta. The volume traces the Beretta designs that preceded the M9, as well as its use on the battlefield, including the impact it has had on close combat training due its the larger magazine capacity. It also details the adoption of the Beretta by US law enforcement agencies and the impact this has had. This is a fascinating history of a classic pistol and an assessment of its future use. 1 vol, 72 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late September 2011 ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975013 Thompson, Leroy 013 The M1 Carbine In 1938, the US Chief of Infantry requested that the Ordnance Department develop a carbine to be used by service and support troops, artillerymen, machine-gun crews, tankers, mortar crews and other troops not needing the power of the M1 Garand rifle. The development of this new weapon was given an added impetus by Germany's successful use of airborne and glider troops early on in World War II. This caused a fear amongst US officers that troops normally considered 'behind the lines' personnel might have to fight elite German troops and would therefore require a more effective weapon than their standard pistols. The resulting M1 Carbine was a not a shortened version of the standard service rifle but instead a brand-new design chambering a new cartridge. Eventually numerous manufacturers would combine to produce over six million M1 Carbines before the end of the war. This book charts the complete story of the weapon, from its design, to its operational history and its impact upon warfare. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late November 2011 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975016 Thompson, Leroy 016 THE M1 GARAND The M1 Garand gave the US infantryman a marked edge during World War II. It shot faster and further than enemy infantry rifles and hit harder. No less an authority on killing the enemy than General George S. Patton called the Garand, 'The greatest battle implement ever devised.'

At a time when opposing forces were armed with bolt-action rifles, US troops had a highly reliable self-loader. The eight-round clips which were used to load the M1 Garand were, however, viewed with mixed emotions by the troops on the ground. Some Army and Marine Corps troops allegedly felt that the distinctive 'twang' as the Garand's clip was ejected when empty alerted the enemy that the soldiers were reloading and resulted in an attack. But the Garand became the defining man-killer of the war, despite its weight and magazine problems, and many US combat veterans consider it one of the key reasons they survived the war. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late May 2012 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975022 Thompson, Leroy 022 THE STEN GUN The Sten submachine gun - officially the 'Carbine, Machine, Sten' - was developed to fulfill the pressing British need for large quantities of cheaply produced weapons after Dunkirk, when German invasion was a very real possibility. Over four million were built during World War II, and the Sten was widely used by airborne troops, tankers, and others who needed a compact weapon with substantial firepower. It proved especially popular with Resistance fighters as it was easy to conceal, deadly at close range, and could fire captured German ammunition - with a design so simple that Resistance fighters were able to produce them in bicycle shops.

Featuring vivid first-hand accounts, specially commissioned full-color artwork and close-up photographs, this is the fascinating story of the mass-produced submachine gun that provided Allied soldiers and Resistance fighters with devastating close-range firepower. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2012 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid to late December 2012 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975023 Thompson, Leroy 023 M1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE Developed to replace the Model 1892 Krag-Jorgensen rifle, the Model 1903 Springfield was a five-shot bolt-action rifle that introduced the .30-06 cartridge - the standard US round until the introduction of the 7.62mm NATO cartridge - and gave the US infantryman a durable, magazine-fed weapon so renowned for its accuracy that it remained in service as a sniping rifle for decades after it was superseded by the M1 Garand in 1937. Extensively used in World War I, the M1903 Springfield saw widespread combat in World War II and Korea.

During World War I, US troops developed a formidable reputation for marksmanship aided by the accuracy of the M1903 Springfield. World War II saw the introduction of the M1903A3, which changed the rear sight so that it was closer to that of the M1 Garand, to allow easier training of troops who might be issued either rifle. Illustrated with specially commissioned color artwork and drawing upon veterans' recollections, this is the engaging story of the M1903 Springfield, an iconic rifle prized for its lethal accuracy that equipped US and other troops for much of the 20th century. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late February 2013 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975029 Thompson, Leroy 029 US COMBAT SHOTGUNS When a soldier must face multiple opponents at close quarters, few weapons can match the effectiveness of the shotgun. From World War I to the War on Terror, the shotgun has been a devastating weapon in the hands of US troops. For urban combat, prisoner control and shipboard operations, it remains as deadly today as it was a century ago. This book examines various types, from the early combat shotguns through to the riot gun and trench gun versions used in World War l.

So effective was the trench shotgun, the Germans complained it violated the 'Rules of War' as an inhumane weapon, and threatened to execute troops captured carrying one. More recently during the War on Terror, shotguns have been used to clear cave complexes in Afghanistan and buildings in Iraq, but especially to blow doors open during entries and searches.

Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork, this is the story of the origins, development and the use of the combat shotgun in US service, from the trenches of World War l, to the Korean and Vietnamese Wars and lately the cave complexes of Afghanistan. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2013 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975035 Thompson, Leroy 035 THE MP5 SUBMACHINE GUN Since the mid-1960s the Heckler & Koch MP5 has become the most widely used submachine gun in the world, especially among counter-terrorist and special-operations units. Lightweight and offering a blistering rate of fire of up to 900 rounds per minute, the MP5 quickly earned a reputation for accuracy.

Fielded early by West Germany's GSG 9 counter-terrorist unit, it was soon adopted by the SAS. Today, military and police agencies in over 80 countries from Albania to Zambia use the weapon. Featuring specially commissioned full-color photographs and expert analysis, this engaging study charts the origins, use, and impact of the MP5.

Includes: Introduction, Development: A new kind of SMG, Use: Full-auto accuracy in action, Impact: An influential SMG, Conclusion, Bibliography, and Index. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid July 2014 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975037 Thompson, Leroy 037 THE M14 BATTLE RIFLE The M14 may have only been the primary US service rifle for a little over a decade before being replaced by the M16, but it is still considered by many experts to be the best rifle to ever see US service.

Primarily designed for a war in Europe, where it would take its place alongside the other battle rifles like the FN FAL, the M14 saw most of its combat use in the early days of the Vietnam War. Maintained until 1970 for compatibility with NATO forces the M14 had a renaissance as a semi-automatic sniping weapon and since 2001 the M14 has been employed as a Designated Marksman Rifle, being employed by all branches of the US military, especially in Afghanistan where the open terrain makes longer-range engagements common.

Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and archive and close-up photographs, this engaging study tells the story of the M14, the long-lived battle rifle that remains in front-line service with US forces more than 50 years after its first adoption.

Contents: Introduction, Development: Replacing the Garand, Use: The M14 goes to war, Impact: A lasting influence, Conclusion, Bibliography, and Index. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2014 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid October 2014 ......$19.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975068 Thompson, Leroy 068 THE G3 BATTLE RIFLE During the Cold War, the G3 was one of the world's pre-eminent battle rifles. Developed in France and Spain after 1945, the rifle was produced by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch.

Adopted by more than 40 countries and produced on license by many more, it was widely employed during colonial wars in Africa, insurgencies in Latin America and conflicts in the Middle East, but perhaps its widest use was in the Iran-Iraq War. Variants of the G3 have also seen substantial usage among Special Forces including Britain's Special Boat Service and the US Navy SEALs. Semi-automatic versions, especially the HK91 and HK93, remain popular in the United States, and the G3-derived HK11 and HK21 family of light machine guns have also been widely adopted by military and law-enforcement units across the world.

Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this study examines one of the iconic weapons of the Cold War era. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid May 2019 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975073 Thompson, Leroy 073 The Browning High-Power Pistol Making its debut in 1935, the Browning High-Power was the world's most widely used military pistol for much of the 20th century. Military and law-enforcement agencies in more than 90 countries have issued the High-Power and it has seen combat in conflicts from World War II through to the 'War on Terror'. After conquering Belgium, Nazi Germany produced more than 300,000 High-Powers for use by the Waffen-SS, Fallschirmjager and others, and after 1945 the High-Power became standard for most NATO-armed forces as well as scores of others.

Chambered for the 9?19mm Luger cartridge, John Browning's High-Power improved on the classic Colt M1911 design, especially in its use of a far simpler takedown system. The pistol's innovative 13-round magazine, designed by Dieudonne Saive, staggered the cartridges for higher capacity without unduly increasing the grip size. During its 82-year production run at Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium, the design evolved slightly, but a 2017 High-Power was still easily recognizable as a descendant of the original model.

Packed with gripping material including detailed technical specifications, contemporary photographs and highly accurate artist's renditions, this title is a comprehensive and informative guide to the world's most iconic semi-automatic pistol.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975084 Thompson, Leroy 084 SOVIET PISTOLS: Tokarev, Makarov, Stechkin and Others Featuring archive and present-day photography and specially commissioned artwork, this reference work reveals the development and combat use of the pistols that armed the forces of the Soviet Union and its allies during and after WWII.

In 1930, the TT, a single-action semi-automatic pistol developed by Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev and firing 7.62x25mm ammunition, began to supplement the venerable Nagant M1895 revolver in Soviet military service. From 1933 the TT-33, a simplified version, was also issued; all three would equip Soviet and proxy forces throughout and after World War II, seeing action across the globe.

In 1951 a new pistol designed by Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov entered Soviet service; it became the primary Soviet military and police sidearm during the Cold War era and continued in use into the 21st century. The 9x18mm Makarov round was used in various weapons used by Soviet allies, notably the Czech vz 82, the Hungarian FEG PA63 and the Polish P64 and P83. The PM was quickly joined by the Stechkin machine pistol. Other specialized versions of the Makarov were developed, including the PB suppressed version and the 5.45x18mm PSM, a more compact version. Initially developed in 1990, the improved PMM version of the Makarov was intended primarily to increase the stopping power of the 9x18mm round by chambering a higher-pressure load. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2022 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid October 2022 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975007 Thompson, Leroy illust by Howard Gerrard 07 FAIRBAIRN-SYKES COMMANDO DAGGER The Fairbairn-Sykes Commando dagger has become iconic as the most widely recognized fighting knife in the world. The origins of the dagger can be traced to Shanghai in the 1930s where W. E. Fairbairn and US Marine officers including Sam Yeaton carried out experiments to develop what they considered the perfect knife for close combat. When Fairbairn and Sykes became instructors for the Commandos, they refined the design which would evolve into the classic Fairbairn-Sykes dagger. The dagger was first used during early Commando raids into occupied Europe but saw action in every theatre of World War II. US Rangers and Marines who had trained with the Commandos took their Fairbairn-Sykes daggers home, and this also influenced the development of American Special Forces daggers. The Fairbairn-Sykes remained in use with many units after the war. It has become a symbol of Commando and special forces units throughout the world.
1 vol, 72 pgs 2011 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover ......$18.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975079 Turnbull, Stephen 079 WEAPONS OF THE SAMURAI Describes and analyses the weapons and equipment traditionally associated with the Japanese samurai. Examines the range of weapons used by them at different times and in different situations.

Beginning with the rise of the samurai during the 10th century, this lively study traces the introduction of edged weapons (cutting and piercing) and missile weapons (bows and guns) over the next 500 years. The book shows clearly how they were employed by individual samurai using many previously untranslated primary texts, and explains how their use spread more widely among low-class troops, pirates, and rebels. It also shows how schools of martial arts took over and changed the weapons and their uses during the peaceful Edo Period (1615-1868). 1 vol, 80 pgs 2021 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid June 2021 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975071 Walter, John 071 HOTCHKISS MACHINE GUNS: From Verdun to Iwo Jima Created by a long-forgotten Austrian nobleman, Adolf Odkolek von Augezd, the air-cooled Hotchkiss machine gun was the first to function effectively by tapping propellant gas from the bore as the gun fired. Although the Hotchkiss would be overshadowed by the water-cooled Maxim and Vickers Guns, it proved its effectiveness during the Russo-Japanese War.

The gun, quirky though it was, was successful enough to persuade Laurence Benet and Henri Mercie to develop the Modele Portative: a man-portable version which, it was hoped, could move with infantrymen as they advanced. Later mounted on tanks and aircraft, it became the first automatic weapon to obtain a 'kill' in aerial combat.

Though it served the French and US armies during World War I (and also the British in areas where French and British units fought alongside each other), the Odkolek-Hotchkiss system was to have its longest-term effect in Japan. Here, a succession of derivatives found favour in theatres of operations in which water-cooling could be more of a liability than an asset. When US forces landed on Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima, battling their way from island to island across the Pacific, it was the 'Woodpecker' - the Type 92 Hotchkiss, with its characteristically slow rate of fire - which cut swathes through their ranks. Supported by contemporary photographs and full-color illustrations. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2019 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available mid November 2019 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975082 Walter, John 082 WALTHER PISTOLS: PP, PPK AND P 38 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. 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.

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. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2022 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late April 2022 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975086 Walter, John 086 NAMBU PISTOLS: Japanese Military Handguns 1900-45 Featuring full-color artwork and carefully chosen photographs, this book charts the origins, development, combat use, and legacy of the Nambu pistols. Cutaway artwork reveals the inner workings of these important handguns, while specially commissioned battlescenes depict them in use in action.

Influenced by the German C 96 and other semi-automatic pistols, the first Nambu model was never accepted for universal issue, being confined largely to purchase by Japanese officers. Adopted in 1925, the 14th Year Type was to become the best-known of these handguns, serving in every campaign undertaken by the Japanese in the 1930s and then throughout World War II. It served alongside the bizarrely conceived Type 94, intended as the weapon of airmen, tank crew, and anyone to whom its compact dimensions were useful.

When World War II ended, thousands of Nambu pistols arrived in America with US veterans of World War II, while others were carried by insurgents and other armed groups across South East Asia for decades after 1945. Fully illustrated, this is the engrossing story of these distinctive pistols, from their origins to their legacy. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2023 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid April 2023 ......$23.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975088 Walter, John 088 SNIPING RIFLES IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN 1941-45 Considers the strengths and limitations of the WWII Japanese and American rifles, scopes, and accessories deployed in the Pacific as well as their different approaches to sniping tactics and training. Often operating at relatively close ranges in restrictive terrain, snipers made particularly ingenious use of camouflage and deception as the fighting spread across Asia and the Pacific in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack, while troops tasked with countering enemy marksmen had to learn the hard way how best to defeat a seemingly invisible enemy. Contains color artwork plates and black & white and color photographs and illustrations. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2024 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available late February 2024 ......$23.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975075 Walter. John 075 Weapons of the Civil War Cavalryman During the American Civil War, the mounted soldiers fighting on both sides of the conflict carried a wide array of weapons, from sabers and lances to carbines, revolvers, and other firearms. Though some sections of the cavalry placed their trust in the sabre, the advent of viable breechloading carbines -- especially repeaters such as the Spencer -- was to transform warfare within little more than a decade of General Lee's final surrender at Appomattox.

However, output struggled to keep up with unprecedented demands on manufacturing technology and distribution in areas where communication was difficult and in states whose primary aim was to equip their own men rather than contribute to the arming of Federal or Confederate regiments. In addition, the almost unparalleled losses of men and equipment ensured that almost any firearm, effectual or not, was pressed into service. Consequently, the sheer variety of weaponry carried reflected the mounted soldiers' various roles in different theaters of operation, but also the availability -- or otherwise -- of weapons, notably on the Confederate side.

Fully illustrated, this study assesses the effectiveness of the many different weapons arming the Civil War cavalryman and analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the decisions made after 1865 concerning the armament of the US cavalry.
1 vol, 80 pgs 2020 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid September 2020 ......$22.00 with a discount of 15% rct

1-975060 Zaloga, Steven 060 THE ANTI-TANK RIFLE The emergence of the tank in World War I led to the development of the first infantry weapons to defend against tanks. Anti-tank rifles became commonplace in the inter-war years and in the early campaigns of World War II in Poland and the Battle of France, which saw renewed use in the form of the British .55-inch Boys anti-tank rifle -- also used by the US Marine Corps in the Pacific. The French campaign made it clear that the day of the anti-tank rifle was ending due to the increasing thickness of tank armor.

Nevertheless, anti-tank rifles continued to be used by the Soviets on the Eastern Front with two rifles, the 14.5mm PTRS and PTRD, and were still in widespread use in 1945. They served again with Korean and Chinese forces in the Korean War, and some have even appeared in Ukraine in 2014-15. Fully illustrated and drawing upon a range of sources, this is the absorbing story of the anti-tank rifle, the infantryman's anti-armor weapon during the world wars. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2018 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-softcover, available late January 2018 ......$20.00 with a discount of 15%

1-975085 Zaloga, Steven 085 INFANTRY ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES: Man-Portable Air Defense Systems Charts the technological evolution of the man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) that began in the mid-1950s. Explores their combat usage and the lessons from these encounters and surveys the various methods developed as countermeasures to the MANPADS threat.

The first generation of MANPADS, such as the US Army's Redeye and the Soviet Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail), saw combat use in the Vietnam War in 1972 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The next generation of infrared-guided MANPADS, such as the US Stinger and Soviet Igla, came to prominence following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Since the 1970s, MANPADS have been used in innumerable wars, border conflicts, civil wars, and insurrections. 1 vol, 80 pgs 2023 UK, OSPREY PUBLISHING
NEW-pb, available mid January 2023 ......$23.00 with a discount of 15% inc