U.S. Infantry Weapons of World War II

Canfield provides an excellent overview of U.S. Infantry weapons used in World War 2. His use of contemporary photos and supporting documentation gives the reader a concise yet informative description of the weapons and the opinions of their users. I highly recommend this book for those who want a survey of the subject. Canfield has published an entire series of books that provide more detailed descriptions of many of the weapons for those who desire more information.

Bruce N. Canfield's guide to U.S. infantry weapons of the Second World War is a thorough and engaging work whose appeal is not limited to arms collectors or enthusiasts. The text is lively, and very often draws on primary sources, giving the weapons covered a context of use and period that make the era come alive on the page. In profiling each arm, its acquisition and development are discussed, with ample citing of the original specifications leading to their design and adoption. Tables detailing the various manufacturers and numbers produced are included, along with information regarding the various production contracts issued during the war. This facet of the book, dealing with the industry of producing weapons, speaks volumes in regard to how the U.S. became "The Arsenal Of Democracy". The photos Canfield chose for the book are another highlight. They provide an excellent visual reference for the text, but they also bring into sharp focus the changing nature of the U.S. military throughout WWII. An example of this is two plates on the same page showing a machine gun team in the early days of the conflict above a group of airborne troops prior to a combat jump in 1945. The soldiers from early on harken back to the First World War, and seem to be from another age. The men at the end of the war are instantly recognizable as modern soldiers whose equipment and uniforms are echoed in today's equipment. The careful selection of photographs adds immensely to the work. The serious student of small arms will find this book to be an excellent, perhaps unequaled single volume reference. Having said that, it would be a disservice not to mention Canfield's companion piece to this work, covering U.S. infantry weapons of WWI. Anyone with an interest in the Second World War and the involvement of the United States in it will also find "U.S. Infantry Weapons of World War II" to be interesting, informative, and a pleasure to read. It's undoubtedly a fine addition to, if not the cornerstone of, any good collection of books on this subject.

Excellent book, lots of good information for the collector or history buff. Many great pictures and a lot of good details for all the weapons listed in the book.

Mr. Canfield has written and contributed to a number of books and volumes throughout his career and this is one of the best. It has become one of the pivital references of those new and old alike in the historical military equipment hobby. The photos are numerous and highly detailed and the text is descriptive and concise, providing interesting history of the weapon along with facts and numbers where available. This is an excellent addition to any military library and I highly recommend it.

I have found U.S. Infantry Weapons of World War II to be an invaluable guide to my collecting of weapons. I found out about various weapons that I might never have known exsisted. With production dates by serial number Any U.S. military weapon can be traced to its' date of manufactor. It is full of notes for the collector, as what to look for in a particular piece. This book is an interesting read. A must have for the collector or the enthusiast.