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The Grand Old Lady of No Man's Land

The Vickers Machinegun

First Edition

Dolf L. Goldsmith Published 1994 by Collector Grade Publications, Ontario, Canada Hardback with dust wrapper - 568 pages ISBN 0-88935-147-3

The in depth sequel to the author's bestselling 'The Devil's Paintbrush’ - Sir Hiram Maxim's recoil operated automatic gun which in 1884 took a giant leap forward from the hand cranked black powder machine guns of the period. In 1908 Maxim's partners in Vickers Sons & Maxim Ltd. had an idea of pure genius and turned the Maxim action 'upside down' and created the 'Light Pattern' Vickers machine gun which weighed considerably less than the Maxim. Adopted for British service in 1912, the 'Gun, Machine, Vickers .303 inch Mark 1' became the machine gun of choice for the British Army during WWI. Its capability was highlighted by the most intense and longest machine gun barrage of WWI which took place on the Somme on 24th August 1916 to cover a (successful) attack by Allied troops. Ten Vickers fired non-stop for twelve hours at a range of 2000 yards using up one belt short of 1,000,000 rounds. There were no major breakdowns, and all guns were operational at the end of action. Much later, in a final and astounding test of reliability and sturdiness, a Vickers gun picked at random on a British Army Armourer's course in 1963 fired FIVE MILLION rounds, not in bursts but straight through each 250 round belts, continuously (except for barrel changes every hour or so) for seven days and seven nights and showing no measurable wear at the end. Needless to say, this weapon in its various forms served successfully and effectively throughout two World Wars and Korea until being officially declared obsolete in British Service on 7th March 1968.

Now out of print, this fabulous book is an absolute must for anyone with an interest in this iconic weapon.

Originally bought as a gift, this is as close to mint as you can get, taking into account a hand-written personal message inside front.

H:28.6 x W:25.5 x D:3.5cm £195.00 + £9.35 P&P UK

The Bren Gun Saga

Revised and Expanded Edition Thomas B Dugelby Published 1999 by Collector Grade Publications, Ontario, Canada Hardback with dust wrapper - 382 pages ISBN 0-88935-249-6

Containing the most information about the Bren LMG ever to appear under one cover including a condensed history of the ZB series of light machine guns produced at the BRNO State Arsenal in Czechoslovakia which of course gave birth to the BREN (BR from BRNO) and EN (Enfield) in 1935.

After extensive and gruelling endurance trials, production commenced at RSAF Enfield in 1937. The Bren was basically a one-man infantry weapon designed to be fired from the hip, bipod or mounted on a tripod. It was found to be a remarkably versatile gun, and numerous interesting experiments were conducted in order to simplify, improve and enhance the weapon for use in a number of roles. Having served with distinction througout WWII in all theatres, the Bren took on a new lease of life post war, being converted to fire the 7.62 x 51mm NATO round. A total of 9 models were produced - L4A1 through L4A9 . These served the British Army and Navy as well as numerous foreign 'friendly' powers for many years and were the forerunner of the belt-fed M59 General Purpose Machine Gun.

Now out of print, this gem of a book is an absolute must for BREN fans.

Mint condition. 22.2 x W:29 x D:2.5cm £140.00 + £9.35 P&P UK

The AK47 Story - Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons

Edward Clinton Ezell Published 1986 by Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania Hardback with dust wrapper - 256 pages (b/white throughout) ISBN 0-8117-0916-7 Book printed in the USA, jacket printed in Great Brtain.

The almost universal presence of the AK47 prompted the author's investigations into the Kalashnikov rifles and into the career of the man who invented the weapon. For more than a decade, military historian Edward Clinton Ezell was engaged in breaking through the secrecy surrounding the Kalashnikov, and includes many previously unpublished photographs. This book covers rifles from the Patriotic War to WWI 1812-1917, the first generation of Soviet infantry rifles 1917-1945, the evolution of the first Kalashnikov assault rifles 1943-1953, the design evolution of the Kalashnikov Avtomat 1948-1959, design variants and proliferation throughout many other countries, and further design evolution from 1958-1985 together with a chapter on ammunition. Includes photographs and detailed technical drawings.

The author says "as a shot in the dark back in 1972, I wrote to Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov requesting information about his career. About thirteen months passed, and then one day a letter with an autographed photograph appeared in the mail". The letter referred the author to two significant Russian publications which contributed greatly to this book.

Overall good used condition. All internal pages clean with no issues. Dust jacket shows some wear to edges and two small corner tears.

H:24.2 x W:19.2 x D:2.5cm £15.00 + £4.45 P&P UK

Revolving Arms

A. W. F. Taylerson
First Edition - October 1967
Hardback with dust wrapper - 123 pages Published by Herbert Jenkins, London

The history of mechanically rotated revolving cylinder firearms in England, the Continent and the United States and the early history of Samuel Colt, the ‘father' of revolvers. Over 150 weapons and lock mechanisms illustrated.

Good condition. Dustwrapper price clipped and encapsulated in cellophane with hardly noticeable edge scuffs. Internally, nice, tightly bound clean pages. Traces of dustiness to page edges.

H:24 x W:15.3 x D:2cm £14.00 + £3.10 P&P UK

Kalashnikov - Machine Pistols, Assault Rifles and Machine Guns, 1945 to the present

John Walter Pub. 2002 by Greenhill Military Manuals Pictorial hardback - 143 pages ISBN 1-85367-364-1

One of the outstanding successes in small-arms history, the Kalashnikov, was designed by a Red Army tank mechanic after being wounded during the German invasion in 1941. With first hand experience of Germany's superior firearms, Kalashnikov resolved to develop something better, and after a few false starts, the Automat Kalashnikova 1947 was born. In 1949, the AK-47 was adopted by the Soviet Army, subsequently by other Warsaw Pact members. It quickly spread throughout the world, becoming the "weapon of choice" for terrorist groups. This well-illustrated directory covers variants, specifications and details on sights, bayonets and ammunition.

Virtually as new. H:15.5 x W:21.5 x D:1.8cm £10.00 + £3.10 P&P UK