This is a history and A-Z directory of rifles from the medieval period to the present day, shown in over 300 photographs. It contains directories of rifles from different parts of the world, organized according to country of manufacture. It features key specifications for each weapon, including magazine capacity, barrel length and unloaded weight. It includes 300 superb photographs and artworks, cutaway diagrams showing internal components and operation, and specification boxes for detailed study. This authoritative guide explores the development of rifles through the centuries, and shows the capabilities and specifications of modern weapons. Readers are introduced to the designers and manufacturers involved in rifle development, as well as the materials, mechanics and technology involved in arms production. Grouped according to country of origin, each gun's features are listed, with the military, political and technological context in which the weapon was developed. Written by leading experts in the field, this superbly illustrated reference book is essential reading for all enthusiasts interested in gun manufacture and weapons of war.