Books (British)
OldSwords is now pleased to be able to offer a number of books related to the collecting and study of antique swords.
**** NEW - We are very pleased to announce the launch of a new sister site supplying a wide range of books to collectors of all types of antique weapons including firearms. This site will remain the primary source for books on edged weapons but www.bulletsandblades.com can now supply reference works on other subjects.
Our books are all sourced direct from authors and publishers and sent direct to you. Therefore you may notice that shipping costs may vary with each item depending upon where it will come from. We do this so that as well as receiving large discounts for OldSwords customers, the total price to you will be as low as possible. We have special relationships with all our suppliers so we aim to be the cheapest source of sword related books on the internet so please let us know if you can find the books cheaper elsewhere.
If you are looking for a specific book but cannot find it in our catalogue then please email me. We are in contact with a large number of book dealers and we may be able to source the book for you. This includes foreign language and rare out of print works.
Please click on one of the subjects below to view our catalogue. Alternatively you may search on the author or title
| Arms & Armour of the English Civil War Blackmore, David (New) Describes in detail the weapons and armour deployed during the English Civil War. It draws heavily upon the Royal Armouries’ own collections, which includes the unique Civil War armoury from Littlecote House. A complete picture of the period is built up with many quotations from contemporary manuals and memoirs. |  | Price : $19 USD I am sorry but we do not know the shipping value to your location. Please email me for a quote. |
| British Basket-Hilted Swords Mazansky, Cyril (New) The phrase 'basket-type hilts' refers to a large group of hilts which provide a degree of protection to the hand and wrist. Basket-hilted swords have featured prominently among British military edged weapons over the past five centuries, from the Wars of the Roses in the mid fifteenth century to the period immediately after the second Anglo-Boer War of the early twentieth century. In setting out to give a full account of the hilt type, and the many variants within it, the first necessity has been to provide an appropriate terminology to employ in cataloguing and describing individual examples. The book falls into several parts, dealing successively with general aspects of various hilt types, discussion of typological methodology and analysis of hilt construction and decorations. The major groups of basket hilt types, covering the prototypes, early basket hilts and the wide variety of fully developed hilts, are described in detail. Additionally, the diverse group of incomplete basket hilts, the 'mortuary' hilts and those closely related to the 'mortuary' hilts, are described and given detailed typological classifications. Virtually all hilt types are accompanied with a photographic example. |  | Price : $69 USD Shipping to America : $27 |
| British Cut & Thrust Weapons Wilkinson Latham, John (New) John Wilkinson Latham, a Director of famous Wilkinson Sword Company first published this book in 1971. It has long been out of print and unavailable to enthusiasts and collectors except at a high price in the second hand market. The book traces the development of edged weapons in the British Army. There are chapters devoted to the regular Army, yeomanry and Militia as well as the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. There are chapters on pole arms, bayonets and fighting knives and a review of the manufacturing process. There are valuable lists of sword makers, Military sword markings and sword knots. The book is well illustrated. Paperback, 112 pages. |  | Price : $31 USD Shipping to America : $9 |
| British Military Swords (From 1800 to the present day) Wilkinson Latham, John (New) This is a superbly illustrated book on the British Military sword. Written by the late John Wilkinson Latham it was first published in 1966 in the UK and the USA. John Wilkinson Latham was a Director of the famous Wilkinson’s manufacturing company. The book was the most detailed work ever published for the growing numbers of enthusiasts and collectors of the British Military Sword. It was superbly illustrated with 74 plates and 18 drawings. It was soon reprinted three times. There are eight chapters which cover The Guards, Infantry, Household Cavalry, Cavalry, Artillery, Engineers and Corps, 19th century Sword Scandals and detailed method of Manufacture. There are appendices on Supply, Specifications, Sword Knots, pattern variations and reprints of long unavailable early treatise on Military Swords. Paperback, 91 pages. |  | Price : $31 USD Shipping to America : $9 |
| Mr Wilkinson of Pall Mall Vol.1 Wilkinson Latham, Robert (New) Paperback. These two volumes provide the definitive reference work on the world famous sword makers. Both are copiously illustrated with photographs and drawings. Much of this material is taken from the private Wilkinson family archive and is not available elsewhere. As well as tracing the history of the company the books contain useful appendices with sword and gun numbers. Volume One 1772-1899: Traces the origin of the company with the establishment of a London business by the celebrated gun maker Henry Nock. It follows Henry' development of the gun making process to an extent that enabled the acceptance of a government order for 10,000 muskets. On Henry's death the company passed to his foreman James Wilkinson, it was James’s son Henry who expanded into sword making in 1844. |  | Price : $46 USD Shipping to America : $19 |
| Mr Wilkinson of Pall Mall Vol.2 Wilkinson Latham, Robert (New) Paperback. These two volumes provide the definitive reference work on the world famous sword makers. Both are copiously illustrated with photographs and drawings. Much of this material is taken from the private Wilkinson family archive and is not available elsewhere. As well as tracing the history of the company the books contain useful appendices with sword and gun numbers. Volume Two 1900-1972: Follows the progress and expansion of the world famous sword makers, with the conversion to the factory system and the development of additional products such as razors and bulletproof clothing. |  | Price : $46 USD Shipping to America : $19 |
| Observations on Swords 1844 and 1894 Wilkinson, Henry (New) This volume contains facsimile copies of the 1st edition, and of the 21st edition of the book by Henry Wilkinson, the famed sword and gun maker who lived from 1794 until 1861. The first edition was an eight-page pamphlet published on card. It appeared in 1844 as Henry Wilkinson was starting to manufacture swords. He " ...felt assured that sufficient patronage will not be wanting to enable me to persevere in an attempt to render the swords of this country equal, if not superior, to any in the world." The pamphlet was a superb advertisement for the new business. The 21st edition was published in 1894. It retains sections from the earlier editions on 'Observations' and 'Some useful Information for Officers Going to Join Their regiments in India'. It includes new sections on guns and swords that Wilkinson’s could recommend and offer. These include fencing equipment, cannon for yachts and items for the detection of poachers! The 21st Edition also gives full details of Hunting Knives, Revolvers and Pistols, Tent Pegging Lances, London made razors, revolver transformers, fencing equipment, Ice Skates and Regulations Swords. It is fully illustrated. By republishing these rare books in facsimile, this one volume, is a first class reference work, and an insight into the growth of the famous Wilkinson’s company. |  | Price : $24 USD Shipping to America : $4 |
| Observations on Swords, Eighteenth Edition Wilkinson, Henry (New) The 18th Edition was published in the middle of Henry Wilkinson's career when the book was firmly established as a catalogue of the products and services of Wilkinson’s of Pall Mall. This facsimile reprint shows what was offered by the company in the mid Victorian period. It includes the regulation infantry sword, superb breech loading shotguns and the Wilkinson Double Action Government revolver. Also advertised were reprints of John Latham's lectures to The Royal United Service Institution on the Shape of Sword Blades. There is information on early Breechloaders, The Progress of Breech Loading Small Arms and on Rifle Ranges. The products on offer include gun cases, swords and accoutrements, cartridges, items for deer stalking and boar hunting. This book is an essential reference work. |  | Price : $19 USD Shipping to America : $4 |
| Princely Armours and Weapons of Childhood Royal Armouries (New) This book was inspired by an exhibition, The Knight is Young, held by the Royal Armouries between autumn 2002 and spring 2004 at the museum's three sites - Leeds, Fort Nelson and the White Tower. The exhibition featured a collection of over 40 weapons and armour made for children between the 15th century and the end of the 19th century. The Stuart Princes' armour and a set of minature cannon made for Charles II in 1638-39 form the centrepiece of this fascinating collection. All the fine objects illustrated in this book are from the Royal Armouries' collection and many are outstanding examples of the craftsman's art. |  | Price : $11 USD I am sorry but we do not know the shipping value to your location. Please email me for a quote. |
| Swords and Sword Makers of England and Scotland Bezdek, Richard H. (New) Over the course of 25 years, Richard H. Bezdek has gathered an enormous amount of historical information on the swords and sword makers of England and Scotland. This monumental book, the largest ever published on the topic, is the culmination of his research. Among the tremendous amount of material of use to collectors and historians is detailed information, much of it never-before-published, on: * English sword makers from the 14th century and Scottish makers from the 16th century all the way through the renowned Wilkinson Sword Company and other major sword manufacturers of today * The important early English sword- and blade-making communities of Hounslow Heath and Shotley Bridge, and the influential Cutlers Company of London * Early armorers who made swords * The many types of craftsmen associated with sword production, including hilt, blade and scabbard makers and decorators; and goldsmiths and silversmiths who decorated, mounted, assembled and sold swords * Cutlers, merchants, outfitters and exporters who sold swords, including those who exported swords to the United States The book concludes with dozens of beautiful illustrations of hilt designs taken directly from famed sword hilt maker Matthew Boulton's 18th-century pattern book and more than 450 spectacular photographs of English and Scottish swords of every type and era from some of the world's major collections. |  | Price : $53 USD Shipping to America : $9 |
| The Evolution of Swords Wilkinson Latham, John (New) Wilkinson Sword first published this booklet in the 1960’s to explain to their customers the heritage of the sword they had just ordered and to appeal to the collector or enthusiast. It describes the arme blanche from earliest times, covering the basic style of sword from flint and bronze to the flamboyant weapons of the Renaissance, the elegant Small or Town Sword and the immergence of the regulation Military patterns. This overview of the history of swords is an invaluable source of information. Paperback, 26 pages. |  | Price : $19 USD Shipping to America : $9 |
| The London Armourers of the 17th Century Richardson, Thom (New) This study analyses the surviving products of the London Armourer's Company in the 17th century which have makers mark', and relates these to the individual armourers recorded in the Company's records. |  | Price : $17 USD I am sorry but we do not know the shipping value to your location. Please email me for a quote. |
| The London Knife Book,
An A-Z Guide to London Cutlers 1820-1945 Ron Flook (New) This unique new information and reference tool is designed to provide antique dealers and knife collectors around the world, with information for previously unpublished London knivesand the cutlers who made or retailed them. Authored by Ron Flook, The London Knife Book is expected to change the face of London knife collecting, and provide previously unpublished information on London’s extensive cutlery industry. Utilising the knowledge and experience of respected knife historian, collector and author, Ron Flook, this new publication documents a host of unique and highly sought after London knives. Using high quality colour photography and concise information, readers can very quickly match or discount knives against a trusted source, and further enjoy products from this little documented period.
Using the London Knife Book, antique knife collectors and dealers, and family history researchers can now: Much of the latter information will be also of significant benefit to those researching London Trades and Guilds, and family history related to the cutlery industry. Its listing of over a 1000 names
Contents: |  | Price : $63 USD I am sorry but we do not know the shipping value to your location. Please email me for a quote. |
| The Royal Armoury at Greenwich Alan Williams & Anthony de Reuck (New) Traces the metallurgical development of the Royal Armoury at Greenwich from its inception in 1515 to its closure in 1649. This is probably the first time that the technical evolution of a particular Renaissance craft workshop has been studied in such a way. The technical competence of the armourers is assessed by means of metallographic analysis of more than sixty of their products. |  | Price : $19 USD I am sorry but we do not know the shipping value to your location. Please email me for a quote. |
| The Scottish Sword 1600-1945 - An Illustrated History Harvey J.S. Withers (New) The Scottish sword has played an important role in the military history of Scotland, and this new book presents an accessible and highly visual chronicle of that role from the 17th through the 20th centuries.
With more than 1,200 gorgeous, full-color photographs and authentic period illustrations, The Scottish Sword pays tribute to the swords most associated with the Highland soldier, including
- Two-handed swords
A chapter on sword makers and retailers who supplied the swords and a comprehensive bibliography detailing the most informative books on the subject round out this handsome compilation. Paperback. 252 pages. 8.5" x 11" Photos, illustrations. |  | Price : $45 USD Shipping to America : $9 |
| The Swords & Records of Robert Mole & Sons 1835-1920 Wilkinson Latham, Robert (New) Robert Mole and Sons supplied swords and bayonets to the War Office, the Admiralty and the Government of India as well as for private and trade customers. Company records were discovered in 1988. These detail Government and India Office contracts from 1852-1919 and Private and Trade customers from 1903-1920. This archive chronicles the bulk of Moles output, as by his own admission he had 'no private trade worth mentioning.' The author has added notes and narrative to the records, which include Government and India Office specifications and official drawings. |  | Price : $39 USD Shipping to America : $11 |
| Those Entrusted with Arms Wilkinson, Frederick (New) This fascinating study examines the use of arms within British society, principally for the protection of life and property, from Medieval and Tudor times to the present day. |  | Price : $28 USD Shipping to America : $27 |
| Wilkinson and the F-S Fighting Knife Wilkinson Latham, Robert (New) This reference book is based on archive evidence from the Wilkinson Sword Contract book, and the original drawings from 1942. The work also draws on letters and memoirs of contemporary ‘users’ and interviews with the men who made them, those who etched the blades and sewed the scabbards. The knife’s background, of its conception and often clandestine use during World War II has led to much mystique and some spurious information. This book sets the record straight. Full details of issues, types and Wilkinson production figures are shown in detail together with contemporary documents. The story is bought up to date with the issue of knives in 1982 for the Falklands and with the listing of the numerous Commemorative issues. |  | Price : $32 USD Shipping to America : $8 |
| Wilkinson Sword Patterns and Blade Rubs - Including Index and Details 1844-1954 Wilkinson Latham, Robert (New) This volume brings together all the existing pattern drawings, suggested hilts, blades, scabbard mounts etc as well as belts and inscriptions and blade rubbings of the famous swordmakers from their first swords in 1844 to 1954. After that date scale drawings tended to replace the artistic work of the sword maker, etcher and pattern makers and only a few designs received full colour treatment after 1954. Included also are examples of later swords, blade artwork for screen and lazer etching. Fully illustrated with contemporary drawings of swords, hilts, grips, Blade Rubs and blade and badge artwork together with the full listings of blade rubs. |  | Price : $39 USD Shipping to America : $24 |
