This month, the book vote looks at the Weapon series, with five new books competing for your vote. Read more about the full list of options before casting your vote by clicking on the link below! Plus, check out the results of last month's New Vanguard book vote below. 

 

WPN: Chinese Swords 1600 BC–AD 1644

WPN: European Polearms 1000–1800

WPN: Matchlock Firearms 1400–1700

WPN: Wheellock Firearms 1500–1700

WPN: Cavalry Swords 1500–1918

 

Chinese Swords 1600 BC–AD 1644

For thousands of years, Chinese warriors carried single- or double-edged swords into battle. Ranging from basic personal weapons to prestigious luxury arms accrued by high-profile individuals, China’s swords have evolved in form and function over many centuries and retain a ceremonial role with China’s present-day navy.

 

European Polearms 1000–1800

From the Danish axe to the Bohemian earspoon via the Lucerne hammer, the polearms employed by fighting men across Europe evolved over hundreds of years. Whether featuring a blade, a spike a combination of the two, all allowed the infantryman to strike his opponent at a greater range than that possible with hand weapons.

 

Matchlock Firearms 1400–1700

Employed by fighting men across Europe and the wider world during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, the arquebus was a hand-held firearm with matchlock mechanism and trigger that fired a lead projectile. With the development of volley fire the arquebus – and later, the musket – assumed central importance in infantry combat alongside the pike.

 

Wheellock Firearms 1500–1700

The ingenious wheel-lock mechanism, a parallel invention in Italy and Germany at the end of the 15th century, permitted the development of the first truly effective firearms for self-defence, hunting and cavalry use. These were the first firearms that could be carried cocked and loaded, ready for immediate discharge.

 

Cavalry Swords 1500–1918

Manufactured to a variety of designs and patterns, the swords and sabres carried by European and other cavalrymen developed over three centuries. From the heavy swords wielded by 16th-century armoured cavalrymen to the mass-produced sabres arming Soviet cavalry during World War II, this fully illustrated study charts the evolution of this emblematic edged weapon at war.

 

 

 

Last month, we asked you what you would like to see published in our New Vanguard series. Thank you to everyone who voted and provided feedback. The results were very close, check out the full results below to find out more!

 

NVG: Soviet Tanks in Manchuria 1945  20%
NVG: Beutepanzers  41%
NVG: Coalition Armour in Iraq 2003–11  11%
NVG: PT-76 Amphibious Tank  11%
NVG: Iron Dome Missile System 2011–21  16%

 

Did your favourite win? Which Weapon title did you vote for? Let us know in the comments!