This fascinating book provides a detailed history of one of the most famous, and controversial, firearms manufacturers, and its products. Smith & Wesson, founded in 1852 by two men, Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson who shared a dream of developing a new type of firearm. Their ideas moved firearms manufacturing out of the muzzle- loading era that had dominated the industry since the invention of the hand cannon in the 14th century. Complete with more than 200 full-colour photographs, this stunning book describes the range of Smith & Wesson firearms in detail, and features cutaway drawings to show the mechanisms, along with detailed technical evaluations. As well as being of interest to enthusiasts and historians, it will be an excellent reference work and an invaluable guide for collectors.