The most complete encyclopedia of small arms of the Second World War, which accounted for up to a third of front-line losses. Comprehensive information about all pistols and revolvers, submachine guns, repeating and self-loading rifles, machine guns and machine guns (light, mounted and large-caliber) of all armies that participated in the war, without exception, as well as about sighting devices, ammunition (their average consumption per killed enemy soldier ranged from 20 to 50 thousand shots), the industrial capabilities of the warring states and the influence of the tactics of infantry units on the development of arsenals. All about the competition of the best designers and the rapid race of small arms, which gave rise to completely new classes and such legendary models as the single MG 42 machine gun, the Sturmgewehr 44 and, finally, the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle.