PISTOLS OF THE WARLORDS: Chinese Domestic Handguns, 1911 – 1949
by Ian McCollum
Pistols of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic Handguns, 1911 – 1949 is an exploration of the fascinating world of handgun production during the Chinese Warlord Era. This was a unique period in small arms history, exemplified by a multitude of truly unique handguns made individually by craftsman artisans. Long recognized as curiosities in the firearms world, this book presents the first organized study of these pistols ever to be published. Based on the close examination of several hundred examples from three major collections, it is a groundbreaking work that brings a brand new level of clarity to the identification of these arms.The book is divided into five main sections:
Introduction and historical context
Domestic Chinese designs
C96 Mauser copies
FN 1900 copies
Copies of other Western designs
By studying a large number of examples, Ian McCollum is able to divide the domestic Chinese designs into six distinct types, based on design features. Where these designs have long been disregarded as random, Pistols of the Warlords begins the process of discovering their unique and distinctive histories. From the most professionally made assembly-line pistols of the Shanghai, Jinling, Shanxi, and Taiyuan Arsenals to the crudest muzzleloading percussion pistols made by traveling blacksmiths, this work covers the whole spectrum of these fascinating firearms.
The book is formatted as a pictorial study, so that it may best highlight the tremendous variety in features and markings found on these pistols. The masterful photography of James Rupley truly jumps off the page, presenting these pistols at larger-than-life scale. Intended for both the firearms collector and the Chinese history enthusiast, Pistols of the Warlords illuminates a subject never before documented in any systematic way.
Companion Book
Arming the Dragon authored by Dolf L. Goldsmith is a study of Chinese Mauser rifles from the Warlord Era. Better known for his Collector Grade books on the Maxim, Vickers, and Browning machine guns, Mr. Goldsmith has a long interest in Chinese arms and wrote this monograph based on personal inspection of thousands of Chinese Mauser rifles. Specifically, he covers the Hanyang, Model 1907, Type 21, and Chiang Kai Shek patterns, as built by the Hanyang, Nanking, Kung Hsien, and Kwangtung Arsenals.
This work includes invaluable analysis of production and serial number totals and interpretation of receiver markings in addition to basic histories of the four types of rifle. These rifles formed the backbone of the Warlord armies of the 1920s and 1930s. Originally printed in very limited numbers in the 1990s, we are proud to offer an authorized reprint alongside “Pistols of the Warlords”.
While the original printing was a spiral-bound paperback, our reproduction will be in hardback form. Currently 52 pages.
Arming the Dragon is approximately 5.5 (width) x 8.5 (height) inches.
The booklet is in Hardback form.
Commemorative Items
Our genuine leather bookmarks are hand-tanned, cut, and printed by a family-owned tannery in Scotland. Each bookmark is dyed a gray color to complement the book, and debossed with a gold foil print showcasing a selection of five Chinese pistols.
* At this time, due to order fulfillment logistics, BOOKMARKS MAY ONLY BE ORDERED IN COMBINATION WITH A BOOK PURCHASE. Any order not accompanied by a book will be canceled.
Our genuine leather bookmarks are hand-tanned, cut, and printed by a family-owned tannery in Scotland. Each bookmark is dyed a purple color to complement the Kickstarter-exclusive book with purple cover, and debossed with a gold foil print showcasing a selection of four Mauser misprinted logo forgeries found on some of the Chinese pistols featured in the book. Other “easter eggs” are present on this special bookmark that will achieve additional significance as the reader progresses through the book.
* At this time, due to order fulfillment logistics, BOOKMARKS MAY ONLY BE ORDERED IN COMBINATION WITH A BOOK PURCHASE. Any order not accompanied by a book will be canceled.
Our ex libris, or bookplate, provides a classic way to indicate ownership of one’s books. Meaning ‘from the library of’ in Latin, the ex libris has been a staple of true bibliographic connoisseurs for centuries. These luxury bookplates are letterpress-printed on premium textured ivory paper stock by a small press in Scotland. Finished with a stylish application of gold foil, they also feature a peel-away adhesive backing for easy application to the book of your choice. The Pistols of the Warlords bookplate features a trio of Chinese handguns on a scroll with blank space to inscribe the owner’s name.
* At this time, due to order fulfillment logistics, “EX LIBRIS” BOOKPLATES MAY ONLY BE ORDERED IN COMBINATION WITH A BOOK PURCHASE. Any order not accompanied by a book will be canceled.
Commemorative poster released in conjunction with Pistols of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic Handguns, 1911 – 1949. The poster design features Ian McCollum in traditional Chinese garb while examining a selection of Warlord Era pistols against a bucolic landscape.
Specifications:
18 inches wide x 24 inches tall
Ships rolled in a tube
* Orders ship from the U.S. As such, VAT or other customs fees may be assessed prior to final delivery to international customers. Such fees are the responsibility of the customer.
** Posters ship separately from books and other ancillary items, so please purchase your poster as a separate order. If a poster is combined with a book or ancillary merchandise order, we will need to contact you to arrange additional payment for shipping.
Backer Patch (Pistols of the Warlords)
Only Available During Pre-Order Campaign