Book Of Pistols And Revolvers – W H B Smith 1965 (PDF)

To prepare such an encyclopedia, technically correct and yet easily read, was a challenging task. The author chosen for this formidable assignment was that well-known international authority in the field of small arms, the late Walter H. B. Smith. First published in 1946, the first volume of the encyclopedic work was then titled The N.R.A. Book of Small Arms: Volume I, Pistols and Revolvers. An immediate success, it was revised in 1948 and 1951 and reprinted in 1953.
In 1960 the book was given its present title, and a fourth edition published after careful revision and enlargement by Mr. Kent Bellah to include a "Post War Supplement." The demand for the new edition proved very gratifying and resulted in a new fifth edition, to which Mr. Bellah added another supplement titled "Handguns Since 1959."
The pace of new developments has accelerated. We asked Mr. Bellah to prepare a new Part II, covering handguns since World War II, including both his previous supplements, plus the many changes since 1962.