by Robert R. Hodges, Jr. Softbound, 80 pages, 7" x 9". Combining the hardiness of a rifle and the firepower of a machine gun, the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was a major step forward in light automatic weaponry. Introduced during World War I as a counter to the prolific German machine gun on the Western front. In the 1930's the BAR's deadly punch found favor with both gangsters and law enforcement. The story of one of the iconic American weapons of the 20th century.