New Publications

An Introduction to Japanese Swords

Published in association with Japanese Airlines

With this book we aim to provide a brief introduction to the fascinating story of the Japanese sword. It gives an insight into the traditions and techniques of the Japanese sword-maker.

Despite the fact that Japan is one of the most technologically developed countries in the world, its sword smiths still continue their traditional craft as they have done for over a thousand years.

Japanese swords have also captured the imagination of many Westerners, being collected as art objects as well as appearing in a multitude of films and television programmes.

This introductory guides sets out to explain some basic facts about these swords and dispel some of the myths that surround them.

Publication: 1 June 2008

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Scary Horned Helmet

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Firearms of the American Civil War Seminar

Martin Pegler, former senior curator of firearms at the Royal Armouries, looks at the development of small-arms in the United States during the first part of the 19th century.

11 October

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Did you know?

4 Eiffel Towers

During the siege of Sebastopol the British fired about 10,000 tonnes of iron shot; the French fired 510,000 round shot, 236,000 howitzer shells and 350,000 mortar shells – a total of around 43,000 tonnes of iron! About the same weight as 4 Eiffel Towers.