THE HISTORY OF SMITH AND WESSON FIREARMS

Back Cover Copy
This fascinating book provides a detailed history of one of the most famous, and controversial, firearms manufacturers, and its products. Smith & Wesson was founded in 1852 by two men, Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson who shared a dream of developing a new type of firearm, one capable of being fired repeatedly without the annoyance of having to reload with loose powder, ball, and primer. Their ideas moved firearms manufacturing out of the muzzleloading era that had dominated the industry since the invention of the hand cannon in the 14th century. Since then, the company has produced countless pistols and revolvers that have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world, and which have also been used by sport shooters and criminals. In addition, these famous firearms have been featured in several sensational Hollywood movies, including Dirty Harry. Complete with more than 200 full-color photographs, this stunning book describes the range of Smith & Wesson firearms in detail, and features cutaway drawings to show the mechanisms, along with detailed technical evaluations. As well as being of interest to enthusiasts and historians, it will be an excellent reference work and an invaluable guide for collectors. It is part of a series of books on famous firearms by the same author, which includes The History of Colt Firearms and The History of Winchester Firearms.

Book Description
The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms provides a fascinating illustrated history of one of the most legendary names in all gun lore.

Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson were New Englanders who challenged the domination of Samuel Colt's patented revolver. The Smith & Wesson Model 1 revolver, using a rimfire cartridge, went into production in 1856 and was followed in 1862 by the Model 2, which was mass-produced during the Civil War.

In 1867, Smith & Wesson began a global sales campaign that brought the company new markets, particularly in Russia, and established the company, which has always specialized in revolvers, as one of the world's premier makers of firearms. The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms takes the story through the years of the Military and Police .38 (now known as the Model 10) and of the Magnum cartridge, to today's wide range of products for law-enforcement customers.

This important reference work displays every Smith & Wesson firearm produced in the past 150 years, all in beautiful full color. An excellent reference guide, it is a boon to collectors and firearms enthusiasts alike. (8 1/2 x 11 3/4, 144 pages, color photos)

Dean K. Boorman is president of the Armor and Arms Club of New York, the "oldest club of collectors in the Western Hemisphere," which is affiliated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His great uncle, Dr. Bashford Dean, was founder and first curator of that museum's Arms and Armor Hall, one of the finest collections in the world. Dean K. Boorman is a member of the prestigious American Society of Arms Collectors. He is also the author of the acclaimed The History of Winchester Firearms.

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