Considered the ultimate bible by many airgunners – historians and general shooters – this is the latest, 2010 edition of WHB Smith’s authoritative work, first published in 1957. Now beautifully presented in a hardback cover, its 288 pages contain no fewer than 270 black and white photographs, operational drawings, specifications and test results of every major world manufacturer of its time.

The book documents the development of the airgun from its blowgun roots, with 16 highly informative chapters covering such topics as the cocking systems, modern pneumatic systems, CO2 and spring guns, with separate chapters on British, American and foreign-made models.

For the technical, Smith ends his book with a 45-page chapter on highly detailed test results of various manufacturers’ air- and gas-guns – including the likes of BSA, Diana, Webley, and many other gunmakers of the day who are no longer around. It’s fascinating reading and even features the famous Picatinny Air Guns – giant test rigs at the US Army’s research centre, one of which had a barrel 102-feet long and fired ammo up to five inches in diameter!

This professional and comprehensive encyclopaedia is an important addition to the library of any airgun enthusiast, be they a collector, dealer or historian.

WHB Smith

Hardback