Books about Arms and Armour
The books in this section are more concerned with the arms themselves, their manufacture, form, style, history and archaology.
New Books
Records of the Medieval Sword - Ewart Oakshot :12/12/2003
This work spans the period from the great migrations to the Renaissance. Contains over 300 photographs and drawings of swords, annotated and described in detail.
Records of the Medieval Sword
The Sword in the Age of Chivalry - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
It does exactly what it says on the tin.
The Sword in the Age of Chivalry
The Archaeology of Weapons - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
Archaeology Of Weapons
The Book of the Sword - Sir Richard Burton :12/12/2003
This was intended to be the first part of a two or 3 volume work on the development, history and usage of the sword. But the later books weren't published due to a lack of interest so this single volume covering the development of the sword through pre-history up until the rise of the Roman empire is all that exists of Burton's great work on the sword.
In writing style and content this is a very eloquent and informed book, often accused of applying his own modern understanding to his conceptualisation of old and ancient sword forms. In actuality Burton applies a different measure, that of efficiency and holds the perfect sword to be that which can be used for both attack and defence, and the perfect sword form to be that which relies only on the body and the blade to attack and defend. A fascinating read, which will always be several volumes too short.
The Book of the Sword
European Weapons and Armour - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
Western European arms from Renaissance times (c.1494) to the Industrial Revolution. This account covers in detail, the development, use and style of the handgun and the pike, staff-weapons, mace and axe and war-hammer, dagger, dirk and bayonet, as well as armour and the sword.
European Weapons and Armour
German Swords & Sword Makers - Richard H. Bezdek :12/12/2003
More fully entitled: German Swords and Sword Makers: Edged weapon makers for the 14th to the 20th centuries. A book for the serious sword collector. Great wealth of historical info on sword makers and blade markings of German Swords. Plus pictures & sketches of German Swords, their makers and factories.
German Swords and Sword Makers
American Swords & Sword Makers vol 2 - Richard H. Bezdek :12/12/2003
This highly anticipated book features a bonanza of new information on makers and dealers of swords, bowie knives, tomahawks and guns as well as silversmiths who mounted swords. But the real jewels of this book are its more than 250 stunning photos of rare swords from the top collections in the country and original illustrations from contemporary sources.
American Swords and Sword Makers Vol 2
A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor of All Centuries and in All Times Tegether with some Closely Related Subjects - George Cameron Stone :12/12/2003
Possibly the most preposterously long title for a book. But according to reviews this book first published in the 1920's is an authoritative and well illustrated tome.
A Glossary of the Construction,...
Heroic Armour of the Italian Renaissance - Stuart W. Pyhrr :12/12/2003
Heroic Armor of the Italian Renaissance...
Knight and His Horse 2nd ed - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
Knight and His Horse
Knight and His Castle 2nd ed - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
Knight and His Castle
Knight and His Weapons 2nd ed - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
Knight and His Weapons
Knight in Battle 2nd ed - Ewart Oakshott :12/12/2003
Knight in Battle
Medieval Costume, Armour and Weapons - Eduard Wagner et al :12/12/2003
Medieval Costume, Armour and Weapons
The Medieval Armour from Rhodes - Walter Karcheski et al :12/12/2003
This book examines the armour left behind at Rhodes by the Knights Hospitaller when they were defeated by the Ottoman Turks in 1522. It's an entirely new book which illustrates and catalogs documented Rhodes pieces, and in the process gives an entirely new idea of how knights were actually armed in the 15th and early 16th centuries.
The Medieval Armour from Rhodes
The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England - Hilda Ellis Davidson :12/12/2003
Hilda Ellis Davidson explores the revelations of archaeology, methods of sword-making, and references in Anglo-Saxon poetry and Old Norse sagas to reveal a past where the sword was of supreme importance, as a weapon and as a symbol. She restores a vital dimension to Old English literature, and endows those few surviving swords in museums with a real glamour and magic.
The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England: Its...
Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction - Brian R. Price :12/12/2003
Brian Price presents a working handbook for aspiring and active armourers who want to develop their skills in the production of medieval armour in the style of the 14th century. The book is divided into four sections: a sweeping history of armour and its production from its medieval roots to its modern revival; a practical introduction to all the tools and supplies necessary to equip a modern workshop; a thorough review of key techniques; and a series of actual courses in constructing armoured defenses for the head, body, arm, hand and leg.
Techniques of Medieval Armour...
Swords and Hilt Weapons - Michael D. Coe et al :12/12/2003
This is an absolutely outstanding book which discribes in excellent detail the history, development and archaeology of swords and hilt weapons from throughout the world. Fantastically illustrated with hundreds of detailed colour photographs, this book is split into chapters covering the swords development in particular times and places, with each chapter being written by an acknowledged expert in the field.
For those prepared to study this book in earnest it provides an excellent and in depth introduction to this massive field of study.
This book covers nearly 4,000 years of sword-making history, emphasizing the weapons of Europe, Africa, Mesoamerica, China, Central Asia & Indonesia, from the very earliest origins of what is now known as the sword, right the way through to the world we know today. It also describes the excellence and cultural significance of European, Japanese and Islamic swords.
Truly a 'must have' for anyone interested in swords and swordsmanship. See other reviews of this book.
Swords and Hilt Weapons
Arms & Armour in the Art Institute of Chicago - Walter Karcheski et al. :12/12/2003
Organized both chronologically and by type of weapon, this book captures the best of this astonishing collection in 115 striking photographs - most in color - accompanied by illuminating text. Here are intricately filigreed breastplates and ivory-handled crossbows, samurai katana and Toledo-steel scimitars, elaborately decorated maces and beautifully carved flintlocks - a treat for anyone who has ever been beguiled by arms, armor and the age of chivalry.
Arms and Armor in the Art Institute of...
The Rapier & Smallsword - A.V.B. Norman :12/12/2003
More fully entitled The Rapier & Small sword 1460 - 1820. Only periodically available, this book is a very serious academic text which investigates the topic in great detail. It is, and will be the definitive text for many years.
In terms of layout, this text progresses through the historic development of the rapier and small sword, with numerous line drawings of the different hilt styles, and only very occasional black and white photographs or other detailed illustrations. This book is a thorough typology for rapiers and small swords.
The Rapier & Small-Sword : 1460-1820
The Gods of War - Donald J. Larocca :12/12/2003
More fully entitled: The Gods of War - Sacred Imagery and the Decoration of Arms and Armour.
The Gods of War : Sacred Imagery and the...
An Historical Guide to Arms & Armour - Stephen Bull :12/12/2003
A guide to portable arms and armour from the the early 19th century. Five chronological chapters each covering one major period of history.
An Historical Guide to Arms & Armor
Used Books
Older books on fencing and duelling can be of particular use in classical and historic fencing, especially if written before the advent of electronic scoring equipment. Alibris and Bookfinder are large American sites. Scimitars is a UK bookshop specialising in books to do with swords and swordplay. All three sites have a fab selection.
The Duel - Robert Baldick :11/07/2001
A detailed account of duelling through the ages, numerous accounts of real duels as well as a fluid narrative that fills in the legal and environmental changes that contributed to the different styles of fighting and weapons used. A very enjoyable well put together book.
The Duel: A History of Duelling 
For more book reviews see J.Christoph Amberger's site, Swordhistory. The site itself is designed to provide information about his book listed above, but it also contains a number of interesting articles on the various aspects of swordplay ane EMA. It also has some nice links and a set of book reviews.
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