While owning and operating firearms has always been an American tradition, its main function has evolved over the last two centuries. This significant volume covers the history of portable firearms from muskets to machine guns, from dueling pistols to glocks, from derringers to elephant guns. Compiled by the expert staff of the National Firearms Museum, "The Illustrated History of Firearms" chronicles the evolution of firearm usage and further provides visual references that are fit to grace any aficionado s library. Broken into sections focused on major conflicts, this book includes: Exquisite photography of historically important firearms, from early flintlocks to ornately decorated modern rifles and shotgunsPhotographs of rare firearms only on display at the National Firearms MuseumImages of iconic guns, such as Dirty Harry s famous Smith & Wesson Model 29 RevolverAnd more than one thousand more detailed photographs of firearms With expert knowledge, beautiful images, and detailed notes, this is a must-have for any hunter, shooter, or gun enthusiast. Most importantly, "The Illustrated History of Firearms" wholeheartedly espouses and promotes the NRA mission to uphold the Second Amendment and ensure that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. "

Author Biography

Jim Supica is the director of the NRA National Firearms Museum and Gun Collector Program. He is the author or coauthor of several books on firearms, including "Treasures of the National NRA Firearms Museum" and "The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson." He has written numerous articles on gun collecting, including regular columns for "American Rifleman" and "Shotgun News." He lives in Fairfax, Virginia, with his family. Doug Wicklund has been employed by the NRA for more than thirty years and is currently Senior Curator for the National Firearms Museum. Previously, he was assistant technical editor for the "American Rifleman" magazine and editor of the "NRA Firearms Fact Book." Wicklund lives in Virginia. Philip Schreier has been at the National Firearms Museum for more than thirty years and currently serves as senior curator. He appears regularly on numerous cable shows with firearms-related programming, including "NRA News," "American Rifleman," and the History Channel. Schreier is the author of dozens of articles on firearms and military-related themes for "American Rifleman," "Man at Arms," "Guns & Ammo," "Surplus Firearms," and numerous other titles. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.