AJO WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKCITY OF LIVERPOOL HILLFOOT HEY HIGH SCHOOL SECOND PRIZE ,] to 9.^.. Art Headmaster . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKP I S T O L S , R I F L E S A N D M A C H I N E G U N S WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKPISTOLS, RIFLES AND M A C H I N E G U N S A straightforward explanation of their mechanism, construction, and role in battle By Major W. G. B. ALLEN, The Loyal Regiment With a foreword by Rt. Hon. Antony Head, c.b.e., m.g., m.p. . O you leaden messengers. That ride upon the violent speed of fire," Shakespeare E N G L I S H U N I V E R S I T I E S P R E S S L I M I T E D SAINT Paul's house, Warwick square, london, e.g.4 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKFirst Printed . . 1953 A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d PRINTED IN ENGLAND F O R T H E E N G L I S H U N I V E R S I T I E S P R E S S L T D . BY ELLIOTT BROS. AND YEOMAN, LTD., LIVERPOOL WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKPREF ACE At the present time the whole country is concerned with defence, and there must be many men who wish to know more about small arms than is generally to hand. This book is intended as an intro duction to a fascinating and, unfortunately, indispensable branch of engineering. Although a number of books have been published in this country on the subject, few deal with the mechanical aspects from a fundamentally broad point of view, and in simple language. I have set out to give a straightforward explanation of the under lying principles and practice of the various weapons, beginning with the elementary (school) physics of the automatic mechanisms used to actuate modern machine guns, etc. The separate mechanisms that make up a complete weapon are each covered by a chapter; in this way the arm is divided into parts in the same manner as a book on motors would deal in turn with, say, carburation, ignition, gear-box, engine, and chassis. Finally the complete weapons are discussed. The mechanism, action, role in battle, and the designer's problems in meeting the stringent specifications of the modern fighting machine, are all reviewed. Detailed descriptions of particular weapons are not included, for this is not the aim of the book, but practical examples, to illustrate points, are plentiful. Where full details of weapons are required the reader is referred to the references. The method of approach caters for persons with no more specialised engineering knowledge than is needed to mend a child's toy, or carry out the average owner-driver's maintenance of his car. Naturally the military angle predominates, but the scope is wide, and in addition to serving officers and senior N.C.O.'s of the Army, Territorial Ai'my, and Home Guard, the book should also appeal to anyone else interested in fire arms. W. G . B . A L L E N v WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >