A photo essay examining the design, construction, and uses of hand weapons and armor from a Stone Age axe to the revolvers and rifles of the Wild West. Be an eyewitness to awesome and bloody weapons such as swords, knuckledusters, and pistols -- and the equipment used to deflect deadly slashes, blows, and bullets. See a ceremonial knife from Sudan. Find out how far a crossbow could fire an arrow. Discover why powder flasks were made of cow horn. New Look! Relaunched with new jackets and 8 pages of new text! Here is an original and exciting new look at the history of weapons and armor through the ages. Stunning real-life photographs reveal the design, construction and workings of everything from a medieval crossbow to a pair of dueling pistols, and offer a unique "eyewitness" view of how methods of warfare have changed. See the very first weapons ever made, the armor worn by medieval knights, the battledress of a Japanese samurai, the guns used by the soldiers, frontiersmen, and outlaws of the Wild West. Learn how Greek and Roman soldiers dressed for battle, how suits of armor were made and worn, how crossbows were loaded and fired, and how Native Americans hunted and fought on the Great Plains. Discover what weapons were carried by the first police officers, how sword and pistol duels were fought, when the first firearms were invented and how they worked, and much, much more!

Includes index.

Prehistoric weapons -- Missile weapons -- First warriors -- Roman legionary -- Weapons from the dark ages -- European swords -- Crossbow versus longbow -- Axes, daggers, and knives -- Plate and mail armor -- Suit of armor -- Helmets -- Tilting armor -- Indian warrior -- Indian weapons -- Japanese samurai -- Early firearms -- Flintlock firearms -- Dueling swords -- Dueling pistols -- Attack by highway men -- Bizarre handweapons -- Grenadiers and cavalry -- Keeping law and order -- Percussion revolver -- Pistols -- Guns that won the west -- North American indians -- Did you know? -- Who's who? -- Find out more -- Glossary -- Index.