Armor and Arms An elementary handbook and guide to the collection in the City Art Museum of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.

This handbook opens the armor gallery of the City Art Museum with an inviting, easy‑to‑follow tour of its European swords, helmets and full suits dating from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries. Readers are guided through the standout pieces—a German state sword from Augsburg, a Maximilian‑style suit, and a richly decorated Italian breastplate—while learning the basics of how armor evolved from functional protection to works of art. Clear explanations of terminology and concise historical notes make the material accessible even to those who have never studied arms before.

Beyond the core display, the guide showcases a surprising range of objects from other cultures, including bronze helmets from ancient China, a Persian char‑aina, and a ceremonial axe from the Shang dynasty. Full‑color illustrations are indexed by museum serial numbers, so visitors can request to see any item that is temporarily off‑exhibit. The book also points avid readers toward further titles, turning a simple visit into a stepping stone for deeper exploration of the fascinating world of armor and weapons.