Modern small arms: An illustrated encyclopedia of famous military firearms from 1873 to the present day

This book is the definitive gun book up to 1978. I only wish that it were published again with updates. The photographs are the best of any firearms related book in my library. The text is concise and to the point, listing all salient features. The author has included many prototypes not officially adopted.He was curator of the weapons museum of the infantry school at Warminster and was actually on the developement team for the Enfield bullpup project. All gun enthusiasts should have this book in their library.