David Byron has compiled in this volume the most comprehensive and useful collection of manufacturer's identifying marks for firearms throughout the world. This is a most practical tool for the gun collector: The marks are classified and arranged by structure. All those made up primarily of letters, whether they are lettered inscriptions, initials, or monograms with intertwined letters, are grouped together. These are followed by figural, geometric, or animate marks, and combinations of figural and lettered ones.

Subdivisions are based on the border shape of the marks, such as oval, square, diamond. Accompanying the marks are descriptions of the firearms bearing them and the names and locations of the manufacturers.

The second section of the book contains a list of all the world's firearms manufacturers with cross-reference to the marks.

Since each listing includes the model, caliber, and nickname (if one exists) of the weapon, the collector and the dealer have complete information for the identification of virtually every firearm ever made from 1870 to the present.