Bedford clay p (3 risultati)

paperback. Condizione: very good. Many Illustrations. 187 pages, 4to, printed wrappers. Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, (1971). Very good.

Soft cover. Condizione: Fine. 1st Edition. Fine condition color photographic softcover wraps. Table of Contents is as follows: Introduction; Civil War and Commonwealth Pistols; Single-barreled Holster Flintlock Pistols; Scottish Pistols; Turnoff Pistols; Dueling and Target Pistols; Sporting Guns and Officer's Fusils; Sporting Rifles; Military Guns; Military Pistols; Breech-loading Pistols and Guns; Double-barreled and Over-and-Under Pistols; Air and Blunderbuss Pistols and Guns; Forsyth Pistols and Guns; Revolvers; Pepperboxes, Multibarreled Pistols, Pocket Pistols, and Others; Gunmakers and Silversmiths and Selective Bibliography. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photographs. "The first mention of a handgun in England is found in a writ dated 7th November 1388. However, from extant examples, one could begin the study of English hand firearms with Henry VIII. Before Henry's invasion of France in 1513, John de Castro, a merchant of Spain, was commissioned to supply eighty handguns, each complete with powder horn, for which he was paid six shillings a gun. In a royal proclamation of 1544, concerning firearms for military use as well as for hunting, Henry considered it expedient to have "some number of his subjects skilled and exercised in the feat of shooting in handguns and hagbusshes, as well for the defence of the realm against enamies," and stated that he would give "licence and liberty to all and singular his majesty's subjects born within his grace's dominions being of age of sixteen and upwards that they and every of them from henceforth may lawfully shoot in handguns and hagbusshes without incurring forfeiture loss or damage for the same." However, it was still forbidden to shoot game in the neighborhood of any of the King's palaces, and in any other place without the license of the owner of the ground.This exhibition covers about three centuries and deals primarily with civilian firearms. With the exception of two Elizabethan pieces, a matchlock musket of about 1580 (no. 102) and a snaphance carbine of about 1600 (no. 103), and a James I dog-lock musket of about 1610 (no. 104), the earliest date from the English Civil War and Commonwealth periods (1642-60). Beginning about 1680 is a rmarkable group of gentleman's holster pistols with steel or silver mounts. In the early part of the 17th century, when journeys were made on horseback, long holster pistols were common. Throughout the 18th century, when private coaches and public stages ran between the more important towns, shorter pistols became fashionable. There were no railways or police, and when traveling more than a few mles, it was usual to go armed. The dueling pistol was a highly developed weapon, and England, more than any other country, was responsible for its design. It had refinements such as accurate sights, quick-firing locks with adjustable hair triggers, heavy barrels to prevent flinching, and specially fitted stocks for natural balance. The wooden case with accessories was introduced to house the dueling pistol.Irealand and Scotland are each represented by six gunmakers.In preparing the catalogue, care was taken to date the pieces accurately. The dating is based on the style and decorative and structural features of each firearm. When it bears the gunmaker's name, dates of his activities are known; when the original owner's name is engraved on the firearm or when the original owner has been identified from a crest in the escutcheon, this is often an aid in establishing a date." - excerpt from the Introduction by Clay P. Bedford and Stephen V. Grancsay, Curator Emeritus, Arms ane Armor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Oldenburg, Peter (book design) (illustratore).…

1st edition chipped dust jacket Nice Copy quarto 187pp., b/w plates, text ills., bibliog., index of gunmakers, Includes Civil War and Commonwealth pistols, single-barreled holster flintlock pistols, Scottish pistols, turnoff pistols, dueling and target pistols, sporting guns and officer's fusils, sporting rifles, military guns, military pistols, breech-oading pistols, double-barreled and over-and-under pistols, air and blunderbuss pistols, forsyth pistols, revolvers, and pepperboxes. Also includes list of gunmakers and silversmiths. …