"The Illustrated History of Weaponry: From Flint Axes to Automatic Weapons is a comprehensive look at the often deadly, sometimes surprising tools of battle. More than 600 photographs of an eclectic mix of weapons were specially commissioned from the 8,000-piece collection of the Berman Museum of World History. Spanning the globe and more than 3,500 years, they include an elaborate Persian scimitar owned by both Abbas I and Catherine and Great, a sword presented to Napoleon, the traveling pistols of Confederate president Jefferson Davis, and Heinrich Himmler's rifle. A variety of rare weapons of espionage and combination curiosa makes the collection of special interest to even the most seasoned weaponry connoisseur." "The Illustrated History of Weaponry offers historical perspective of the people, places, and times important to the development of weaponry, with special features that illuminate such topics as The Hundred Years War, The Crusades, Naval Weapons, The Civil War, and Trench Warfare."--Jacket.