From classic US Civil War rifles such as the Springfield M1855 to the latest in personal defence weapons and hand-held rocket launchers, Small Arms compares and contrasts all of the most significant and successful small arms produced during the past 150 years. Special double-page features provide a detailed comparison of key weapons within specific categories including combat magnums, precision rifles and submachine guns for VIP protection. With over 200 weapons and more than 300 color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations, Small Arms is an authoritative and accessible reference work.