By A.W.F. Taylerson, R.A.N. Andrews and J. Frith, published by Herbert Jenkins, 1968 (1st edition), hardback, 360 pages (16 x 24 cm). This is a seminal book for the serious revolver collector, the first in a series of three volumes covering revolver design to 1914. Never easy to obtain and long out of print.

By Marquis de Rurigny, published by Standard Art Book Co, London, 1919, hardback, 1,500 portraits, 324 pages (27.5 x 23 cm). The four-volume set lists officer and OR casualties in WW1. It is, for any WW1 casualty buff, a must and does not bear comparison with the reprint, in which the photos do not have the original sharpness of image.

Published by Herbert Jenkins, London, 1970 (3rd ed.), hardback, 190 pages (24 x 16.6 cm). The plentiful photos are marginally less sharp than those in the 1959 Bonanza Books (1st) edition. This book carefully explains in great detail the development of the percussion system from fulminate locks right through to full blown percussion cap systems.

Privately published by W.Y. Carman, the author, 1970, hardback, 87 pages (18 x 23 cm). This is one of the earliest attempts to illustrate this extensive subject, wth some 40 black and white illustrations and copious text to match. Bill was a prolific and thorough author on British military uniforms.

Published by Hayward, 1973, hardback, 320 pages plus 16 pages of black and white illustrations (16 x 25.5 cm). This is a must for any Light Brigade buff, listing, as it does, all the known or suspected participants in the famous charge at Balaclava in October 1854.

Published by Telegraph Press, 1946, hardback, 638 pages (16 x 23.5 cm). Ex-Parker Hale Library! An exellent study of worldwide handguns, both revolvers and automatics, generously illustrated throughout with black and white photos, with a useful glossary of pistol terminology. There are numerous cutaway drawings of the most important models.

Royal Armouries Exhibition catalogue, 1998, softback, 192 pages, full colour illustrations (22 x 27.5 cm). Beautifully illustrated throughout, an extremely useful addition to any library on Russian arms and armour. This is the English edition, but has an extensive Russian translation at the end.

Privately published by W.Y. Carman, the author, 1968, softback, 87 pages (18 x 23 cm). This is one of the earliest attempts to illustrate this extensive subject, wth some 40 black and white illustrations and copious text to match. Bill was a prolific and thorough author on British military uniforms.

Published by Penguin, London, 1948, hardback, 37 pages of text plus 24 colour plates (12.5 x 18.5 cm). A gem of a book, a superb introduction to this complex subject. For someone who wanted an overview of British military uniforms, without going to great expense or into great detail, this is a must.

The official names of the battles and other engagements fought by the military forces of the British Empire during the Great War, 1914-1919, and the Third Afghan War, 1919, published by the Naval & Military Press, 1992, hardback, 63 pages (30.5 x 19.5 cm).