A History of Firearms From Earliest Times, to 1914; St. Martin's Press

New York: St Martin's Press, 1955. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Hardcover. Good. xv, [1], 207, [1] pages. Name of previous owner in ink on fep. Cover has a gilt decoration on the front and has some edge wear and soiling. Some page soiling. Somewhat cocked. Includes 33 illustrations, as well as Acknowledgments, a Glossary, and an Introduction. Chapter 1 covers the Use of Fire in War, Petroleum and Naphtha, The Development of Cannon, Early Experiments, English Artillery on the Continent, Giant Guns, Henry the Eighth's influence and Elizabethan Cannon; The Seventeenth Century, Slow Development: Modern Methods; Variations of Cannon; Unusual Materials and Types; Drawn and Self-Propelled Guns, Machine-Guns--First Attempts at Multiple Fire; Puckle's Revolving Gun; The Maxim Gun; Handguns, Muskets and Rifles; The Smooth Bore; Rifled Firearms; Breech-Loading Guns; Multiple Fire; Carbines; Pistols and Revolvers; Single Shot; Multiple Shot; Experiments: Wall Pieces and Curriers; Unusual Pistols; Combined Weapons; Air and Other Propellents; Ammunition; Projectiles; Igniters; Small Arms Ammunition; Grenades and Fireships; Rockets; Bibliography and Index. William Young Carman (1909-2003) was a well known as a military historian and collector. He has written on uniforms and weapons are The History of Firearms, British Military Uniforms from Contemporary Prints, Indian Army Uniforms (2 vols.) and Headdresses of the British Army (2 vols.), as well as contributions to History of the British Army. He was associated with the Imperial War Museum and National Army Museum for over 20 years, and is a Council Member of the Army Historical Research Society. Thorough survey traces the history of firearms from the times of the Assyrians to the dawn of the 20th century. Essential guide covers ancient use of firearms in wartime and the development and variations of cannon, mines, handguns, muskets, and rifles as well as experiments with arms, ammunition, grenades, and rockets. 34 black-and-white illustrations.