Pistols : an illustrated history of their impact / Jeffrey Kinard.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 381-382) and index.

1. Introduction -- 2. The match, the wheel, the flint, and steel -- 3. The percussion system -- 4. The metallic cartridge and the modern revolver -- 5. The semiautomatic pistol -- 6. Post-World War II developments -- Individual pistol models -- Glossary.

The development of the pistol helped bring the age of the armored knight to an end, provided the elite with a status symbol of dangerous glamour, and inspired both artisans and industrialists to reach new heights of invention. The concept of the pistol dates at least to da Vinci, whose manuscripts include illustrations of firearm mechanisms. In the centuries since that concept became reality, the pistol has left its mark not only as a weapon, but as a status symbol, an art object, and a consumer product, with dramatic changes in manufacturing and trade practices. Pistols follows the evolution of personal sidearms in Europe, the United States, and Asia from medieval-era "hand cannons" with their clunky ignition systems, to the revolutionary Colt revolvers of the 19th century, to the modern semiautomatic weapons of today. Full of fascinating insights and details, this work shows how pistols brought about the decline of knights in armor, and ultimately replaced the sword on the battlefield. The book also explores the pistol's astonishing "democratization" as it moved from being a luxury item of the nobility, to standard issue for soldiers, to a mass-produced commodity and source of intensive corporate competition. Along the way, readers meet the many colorful characters (often eccentric geniuses) who devoted themselves to pistol development. Features {u2022} Provides complete technical details of exemplary pistols from the first working models to the present {u2022} In-depth coverage of the three major pistol designs{u2014}single-shot, revolver, and automatic{u2014}and their production and issuance in the United States, Europe, and Asia Highlights {u2022} Brings together a fascinating narrative history of pistols with specific functional details of famous models {u2022} Offers a global perspective on the evolution of pistols {u2022} Is equally accessible to gun enthusiasts and students