Here's a fascinating book for your enjoyment.

[shouldazagged]

Zhuk, A.B., The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Handguns: Pistols And Revolvers Of The World, 1870 To The Present
Greenhill Books, London Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania 1995 304 pages

This is a hugely informative and downright beautiful book. Zhuk's illustrations are not photographs, but line drawings of unbelievable accuracy, detail and artistic draftsmanship. His drawings of intricately engraved guns will take your breath away. And while "the present" stops in 1995, anyone with an interest in the history and development of handguns who is not already a firearms historian will learn a lot.

I've had my copy since 1999, and wouldn't part with it for anything.

 

[chriske]

I know, I know, I have it as well....
Besides being informative, it has a kind of 19th / early 20th century aura
Leafing through it often makes me feel like a dreamy10 year old again .
Great stuff.

 

[DWalt]

It's still available on the used book market in the range of $20-$25.