2 comments about Collecting & Repairing Watches.

1. The focus is on antique European pocket watches, especially British ones, this being a British publication. The technical history of watches is thoroughly covered, the various outdated watch mechanisms--verge, fusee, cylinder escapement--are explained, and interesting footnotes are included, like the wage records from a 19th century watch shop. A chapter on repair will get you started, and even tell you how to restore the blueing on the watch hands (heat them in a tray over an alcohol lamp). The author has spent much of his life studying and collecting old watches, and has produced an easy-to-read guide filled with interesting and useful information.



2. If you are a "newbie" in the world of watch collecting, this is the right book for you. It focuses the watch evolution from the late 16TH century to the modern quartz watch. It has a lot of graphics and black and white pocket watch pictures...The book, however, is, in my point of view, intended for a quick knowledge of the watch's history and mechanics...It doesn't cover, for instance, the modern automatic wristwatch. I think that's the best book to read before trying something more techicall. The reading is very straight forward, but the experts in the field will find the book very summarized.

4 comments about The Winchester Model 94: The First 100 Years.

1. This is the review of Robert C. Renneberg's book The Winchester Model 94: The First 100 Years" that I wrote for Bullet 'N Press in December 2002.

   In production for over one hundred years, and with over seven and one half million of these rifles produced so far, there isn't any question that the most popular deer rifle in America is the Winchester Model 1894, and that it has held that favorite spot for quite some time.

   The author begins with a concise, accurate history of this timeless lever action that starts with it's designer John Moses Browning and carries right up through the post 1964 models, the commemoratives and the latest angle eject 94's. Every aspect of the 1894 is covered; engineering changes, alterations, finishes, calibers and wood, often in great detail. The components, and variations thereof, are graphically presented with very clear close-up black and white photography. Collectors love it when information is offered to them in such a way that it quickly answers all their questions. So often I have been asked "Can you show me what to look for with such and such a detail, so I will know what I am buying?". This is that book for the Winchester 1894, it answers questions quickly and it shows you what and where.

   Fanciers of the Winchester Model 1894 will be absolutely delighted with what is in this book for it truly gives you "everything you ever wanted to know about the 1894 Winchester", as well as covering a lot of questions you probably wouldn't have thought to ask. I also enjoyed seeing the excerpts from early 20th century Winchester salesman's catalogs, where for instance, a standard 38-55 caliber carbine could be had for the hefty sum of $17.50!

   This reviewer was very impressed with the large amount of well presented information and the attention that is given to accurate photographic illustration. The book was a joy to read and I would highly recommend it for the library of anyone who collects or who simply enjoys Winchester's wonderful Model 1894.




2. I have read a number of books on Winchester Firearms. I especially liked this one. Anyone who reads this book will learn something new.

   Things I picked up.

   Until now Winchester never produced a factory 410 guage lever action shotgun.

   Half Octagon/ Half Round Carbines are very rare. Take a look
   at the Lone Star Commemorative.




3. Of all the Winchester reference books and there are many, this is by far the most informative. Logically arranged to take the reader smoothly through the myriad variations found in this model and featuring great photography, excellent captioning and none of those usless "filler" pages so often found in books of this type, you will quickly find that every page is a treat. Highly recommended for all Winchester fans; essential for the serious Model 1894/94 collector.



4. This reference work was obviously researched and assembled by an avid fan of the subject. Mr. Renneberg takes the reader through a logical and orderly journey describing the myriad variations of the Winchester Model 94 in amazingly infinite detail; a journey that should be taken by any serious collector of this model. While retaining the literary demeanor of a true reference work, the easy-reading style of Mr. Renneberg's prose make the book enjoyable and entertaining. If you are in any way a fan of Winchester's most successful product, you will be unable to put this book down. Fine photographs and descriptive captioning highlight the exceptionally informative text. The very best of it's kind.

1 comments about Ship Models: Their Purpose and Development from 1650 to the Present.

1. Now this is not only a coffee table book and a great reference material, it is a collectable in itself.

   Finally, quality photographs of the best ship models ever made, and still on public display in the UK. I have looked high and low for a book of this quality, and it was worth the price. It also contains a comprehensive list of the ship models held by the National Maritme Museum in Greenwich, UK, and the purpose and history of ship models through out the ages. In particular, it gives the ship modeller a fresh perspective on different types of models you can achieve, and how striking effects can be achieved with half models, frames, dioramas, cross sections, single cannon pieces and other unique items.

   Remember, Great Britain was the dominant navy in the age of sail, and their museums hold the best records of those ages. Add this to your wish list, and if you can afford it, buy it and display it for all to see.

2 comments about Custom Car Modeling: Modeling.

1. I was intresting. If your into old cars this book is great for you. My facorite part of the book were the hinges tutorial for the doors.



2. This book is really great and fully explained. It's for the serious modeler wanting to find specific ways to customize. Or the modeler wanting to take that new step further. Anyway it is worth way more than what it costs.

1 comments about Horse-Drawn Carriage Catalog, 1909 (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. probably this book has been sold plenty of times. so, what could be said? it contains plenty of beautifully made pictures of carriages. this is what is shown on the cover and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I could not ask for more, the choice of the carriages is great, the pictures are just perfect.

1 comments about Standard Catalog of Light-Duty Ford Trucks 1905-2002 (Standard Catalog of Light-Duty Ford Trucks).

1. The book is a catalog of Ford trucks down the years, and as such is exactly that. There are some problems with the book - there are keywords in some of the truck data tables that are NEVER explained, but otherwise the book is a good reference for those interested in looking up information on older Ford trucks.

1 comments about Standard Catalog of Chevelle 1964-1987.

1. I knew I was in trouble with this book when the first image I saw was a 1965 Chevelle convertible and the caption read "...the 1964 convertible looks great from any angle...." and was found in the 1964 model section.

   The book has a decent array of basic model and production data but it is data that is also available from many other sources, there is nothing particularly new or unique about the data presented. It's nice to have the data all in one place but I'm skeptical that the data is correct since they could not even identify the correct model year in their picture captions. I also saw many cars featured in the photos that were not exactly the best representations of the various models. Many cars presented had obvious restoration errors and/or aftermarket equipment.

   I found that the book may be a good general reference tool for someone who already knows a good deal about Chevelles, so you can be aware when the book is correct and not correct, but would be an inadequate tool for someone hoping to learn about Chevelles in the first place.

   I'm glad I got the book at a steep discount, otherwise I would have had to return it.

No comments about Standard Catalog of Pontiac 1926-2002 (Standard Catalog of Pontiac).

3 comments about TOY TRAIN MEMORIES.

1. Very nice book with high quality photos. I did not read it all but enjoyed flipping through after we became interested in model trains this Christmas. I like the nostalgia of it although I personally did not experience it in my past.



2. Vividly illustrated from cover to cover with numerous full color photographs, Toy Train Memories by John Grams is a superbly organized and presented celebration of classic model railroad sets, such as many readers might have once received as Christmas gifts or seen in department stores near the holiday season, especially during the 1940's and 1950's. Very highly recommended for enthusiasts and collectors of classic model trains, Toy Train Memories is a veritable treasure trove of nostalgic memories about these fascinating toys enjoyed by generations of youngsters (and their fathers!), the companies that created them, as well as the advertising and marketing efforts that made them household names.



3. I find it to be a beautiful book, a mixture of newer color photos of Christmas layouts, mixed with older classic black and white photos sent in by toy train lovers. Makes a great coffee table book during the holidays, or any time for that matter!
   And I will admit that page 33 is my favorite,...due to the fact that,...it is a photo of me!! This book will make a GREAT Christmas present for all toy train lovers, and just might interest some to re-kindle their childhood memories, and drag out those trains and dust 'em off!!

1 comments about Collecting black memorabilia: A picture price guide.

1. Lots of good stuff in this book, but if you have been collecting for a while there is probably nothing in here you haven't seen. The book focuses on some of the more common items: JN Bank, Cookie Jars, Early Cream of Wheat, etc. However it is beneficial to help you identify what is original and what is a reproduction. Great for beginners.