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Pistols of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic Handguns, 1911 – 1949

Created by Headstamp Publishing

Headstamp Publishing is excited to announce the third in our flagship series of books, Pistols of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic Handguns, 1911 – 1949, authored by Ian McCollum. We are offering several beautiful editions, as well as Kickstarter-exclusive rewards. We will also be giving backers exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, and we have set several stretch goals which will help us to make quality and content improvements to the book. Pistols of the Warlords is a departure from our previous titles in that it is less of an archival reference work and more of a photographic exploration of hundreds of different examples of Chinese pistols. Details of production and history are included where possible, but the vast majority of these pistols are true mysteries, with no known surviving documentation even in China. Rather than allow these obstacles to relegate them to obscurity, we decided to produce a book with everything that is known, to categorize the different design classes, and give collectors and historians a basis to begin understanding these fascinating firearms. A beautiful reference work intended for all those interested in the history of China and of handgun design, it offers the only formal study ever made on the subject. The manuscript is complete, photography has been finalized, and the images have been prepared for print, and layout and final editing are in the final stages. At this stage, it is our great pleasure to offer the book for pre-order via Kickstarter. This is a book for enthusiasts, researchers, historians, and collectors, and it is as much an authoritative historical work as it is a work of art.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Yowza, $700,000! That's two more stretch goals down...
almost 3 years ago – Mon, May 24, 2021 at 09:41:35 AM

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We split the Warlord Profiles into individual goals, but we decided to leave the Arsenal Profiles as a single one, and we have now met and surpassed that goal. I will go doing short profiles on six different major Chinese arsenals, which will form a new appendix to the book.


We also hit the goal for a profile on Wu Peifu, one of the most significant Warlords of the 1920s. Only a few more left to go now!

What an incredible first day!
almost 3 years ago – Sun, May 23, 2021 at 10:42:36 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Project reaches $400,000; Three More Stretch Goals demolished!
almost 3 years ago – Sun, May 23, 2021 at 10:41:54 PM

You guys just won't stop! We've knocked out several more stretch goal, with some really cool stuff now on the horizon!

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Thank you all for your support. Please help us spread the word (via social media and word of mouth) so that we can continue unlocking additional stretch goals! We have some great things in store!

-- Ian, James, and Nic

Project Funded, and $250,000 Video Update!
almost 3 years ago – Sun, May 23, 2021 at 10:41:07 PM

Wow, what an amazing start to this Kickstarter project! Watch the video below for an update, along with some additional details and project clarifications.

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Thank you all for your support. Please help us spread the word (via social media and word of mouth) so that we can continue unlocking additional stretch goals! We have some great things in store!

-- Ian, James, and Nic