Category: Books

 

by Harvey J S Withers

An authoritative history and visual directory of edged weapons from around the world, shown in more than 800 stunning full colour pictures.

Includes 400 ancient and modern weapons, from the swords of the Japanese Samurai to the blades used in World Wars I and II.

It is a comprehensive directory of weapons arranged by time period and geographical area, along with key specifications of date, origin and length.

Here are details of the book from the publisher.

Historical background

Since the first flint spearheads emerged around 600,000 years ago, edged weapons have played an incredible role in the shaping of human history.  As well as being deadly weapons of war, swords, sabres, spears and lances have been used the world over to hunt for food and to battle for honour.  Elaborately decorated and imbued with countless myths, it is little wonder that these weapons have become some of history’s most powerful status symbols.

Palaeolithic to the 21^st Century

This beautifully presented book traces the fascinating history of swords, sabres, spears and lances through to the 21^st Century.  From their Palaeolithic origins and the appearance of the first swords in the Bronze Age Europe and Mesopotamia, it describes how the development of edged weapons and military tactics brutally shaped the great civililizations of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as looking at the significance of the sword in the artistic and mystical traditions of the Celts.  It moves on to the medieval period, the apogee of the sword as a battle weapon, and delves into the world of the medieval knights and Crusaders, as well as the Middle Eastern armies they fought.

From there this broad-ranging work examines the variety of edged weapons from the around the world, from the Samurai sword to the Sudanese kaskara.  It looks at the technical expertise leading up to the 20^th Century and the demise of the sword as a military weapon.

Here are some sample pages below.

Illustrated weapons directory

At the heart of this volume is a fully illustrated weapons directory, featuring more than 400 examples of edged weapons.  From the swords and spears of ancient Egypt to the pike and thrusting polearms of medieval Europe, and from the cavalry sabres of the 17^th Century to the swords of the Russian empire, each entry is accompanied by a fabulous photograph of the weapon plus key information on date, origin and length.

Indispensable resource for the keen enthusiast and serious collector

This book will be an indispensable resource for the keen enthusiast and serious collector alike, while the 800 beautiful photographs and illustrations will inform anyone with an interest in the conflicts, weapons and warriors that have created our historical landscape.

NOTE:  I have not published this book myself and do not have copies currently available but it can be obtained from most major booksellers including  Amazon.com.

Published by Lorenz Books

British Military Swords

1786-1912 

The Regulation Patterns

An Illustrated Price Guide for Collectors

by Harvey J S Withers

Price: £49.95

TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK PLEASE CLICK HERE

Over 1500 full colour photographs

If you are interested in the history of British military swords then this is the book for you!  It comprises  well over 1500 full colour photographs of British swords  and is the first and only full colour price guide for collectors of British regulation military swords.

Detailed photographs and illustrations of all the British regulation sword patterns from 1786 – 1912 are included in the book.  Close up shots of both the blade, hilt and scabbard make for an informative and ideal resource for the serious antique sword collector.

British swords that are featured include:

• Cavalry Swords
• Infantry Swords
• Naval Swords
• Scottish Swords
• General Officers’ Swords
• Departmental Swords

Also included are special sections on:

• The Wilkinson Sword Serial Number Index
• Index of British sword makers and retailers
• Sword Markings
• Sword Knots
• Sample Pages

Here are some sample pages below.

There is also a short  and informative history of the Wilkinson Company and photographic descriptions of how a Wilkinson Sword was manufactured.  Importantly for collectors, the Wilkinson Sword serial number date index (from 1854) has been reproduced to enable serious collectors to accurately date their Wilkinson swords.

Sword Exercise for Cavalry and Collecting Antique British Military Swords Today

Illustrated excerpts and descriptions from the 1796 Sword Exercise for Cavalry by Napoleonic British cavalry officer, Gaspard Le Marchant are reproduced in detail and there are also informative sections on collecting antique swords in today’s marketplace.  Importantly, the subject of  care and preservation of antique swords is covered in detail and there is also a comprehensive bibliography to help the collector further their knowledge of British military swords.

Foreword by Frederick Wilkinson

The Foreword has been written by the renowned and famous edged weapons and antique arms author, Frederick Wilkinson.

Quality book production

Book length is 176 pages and it is printed on luxury 130gsm satin paper with a hardwearing, full colour, laminated hardback cover.

READ THE REVIEWS OF THE BOOK!

“Well researched, well written and well illustrated, this book is an essential addition for the sword collector”

Gun Mart magazine.

“It is by far and away the best reference guide to Victorian era British swords and is highly recommended”

Stuart Mowbray, Man at Arms magazine.

“Contains plenty of information……a valuable addition to our library”

National Army Museum, London.

“….is a very worthwhile addition to any sword collector’s bookshelf”

The Armourer magazine.

Autographed Copies

I would be delighted to personally sign copies – please let me know if you want me to.

You can buy your copy directly from my website – www.antiqueswordsonline – just click HERE.

Published by Harvey Withers Military Publishing

 

 

 

 

Dear sword and edged weapon collector!  Thank you for visiting my web site.  Inside you will see details of the books that I have authored on antique swords and edged weapons.  They have been written specifically for the serious sword collector and military history enthusiast.  Each book comprises numerous  full colour images and illustrations, complimented with accurate and detailed descriptions of the weapons.  Please take the time to read the book descriptions  – detailed information and links to the books are shown below.

Best wishes,

Harvey J S Withers

 

 

 

 

 The Sword in Britain

An Illustrated History

Volume One 1600-1700

by Harvey J S Withers

Here is Volume One of a new and exciting four-part series that I am producing on the history of the military and civilian sword in Britain from 1600-1700.

Background

The sword in the 17^th Century is a fascinating area of interest and study for the collector, enthusiast and student of history as it is during this important historical period that we see the growth of a wide range of differing sword types, ranging from the gentleman’s rapier and smallsword to the short-bladed hunting hanger, carried by both hunters and naval officers of the bourgeoning Royal Navy.  It was also the period when we see the development of the basket-hilted broadsword, most notably in Scotland, although its origins are both German and English.  Famous sword types included the so-called English “Mortuary Sword”, the Hounslow Hanger and the German Pappenheimer hilt.  All these swords are featured in the book.

This is an extensive and unique work that contains well over 900 full colour photographs and illustrations of the swords carried within Britain during the 17th Century.  Included in the books are the following sword types:

• RAPIERS AND SMALLSWORDS
• CAVALRY SWORDS
• INFANTRY SWORDS
• NAVAL SWORDS
• HUNTING SWORDS

Sample Pages of the Book

Here are some sample pages below.

Book Details

The book length is 180 pages and the volume is bound with a laminated, hardback cover.  Each book is packed into a purpose-made cardboard box.

Author Signed Copies

I would be delighted to personally sign and dedicate copies of the book.  If you want me to sign the book please let me know.

You can buy your copy directly from my website – www.antiqueswordsonline – just click HERE.

Published by Harvey Withers Military Publishing.

 

 

World Swords 1400-1945.  An Illustrated Price Guide for Collectors

by Harvey J S Withers

This is an excellent and unique full colour reference book and price guide, ideally suited for the collector of antique swords.

Over 2000 full colour photographs

This book contains over 2000 full colour photographs together with accurate descriptions and the current market value.  The value of each sword  is represented both in US dollars and UK Pounds Sterling.

This is truly an essential aid when identifying and valuing your antique swords.

There are also comprehensive sections detailing the historical background for particular sword types and essential tips for collecting. Categories include:

• Care and Preservation of Antique Swords
• Sword Bibliography
• Infantry Swords
• Naval Swords
• Cavalry Swords
• Hunting Swords
• Japanese Swords
• Smallswords

Here are some sample pages below.

There is a unique foreword by the late Professor Richard Holmes.  Mr Holmes was a renowned British military historian who had an extensive television career and authored numerous military books, specialising in the British Army.

PLEASE READ THESE REVIEWS!

“This beautifully produced volume…wide-ranging and eclectic work cataloguing a large selection of swords dating from medieval times to the demise of the sword as a combat weapon…gives the generalist the knowledge and confidence to identify and know the value of any commonly encountered sword…”

Classic Arms and Militaria Magazine

“Almost 300 pages of colourful photographs and informative text…is an entry level guide which also serves as a source of reference to the more experienced collector…”

 The Armourer Magazine

 “I am delighted to write the Foreword…because it gives a broad introduction to the types of swords that one might might find in the marketplace…”

Professor Richard Holmes

This is a heavyweight book (1.5kgs) printed to the highest standard. The book length is 300 pages and it is printed on high quality 130gsm satin paper with a laminated hardback cover.

Autographed Copies

I would be delighted to personally sign copies – please let me know if you want me to.

You can buy your copy directly from my website – www.antiqueswordsonline – just click HERE.

Published by Harvey Withers Military Publishing