This is an illustrated historical reference guide to military, law enforcement and antique firearms from around the globe. It contains the world´s most important small guns from the medieval hand cannon and the matchlock handgun to the Luger P08 and today´s FN P90. It features famous small arms including the Colt.45, the Browning High-Power M1935, the Smith & Wesson and the Sten submachine gun. It incorporates 180 specially commissioned photographs and artworks, including cutaway diagrams to show internal components and gun operation.