No comments about The Colt Gun Book (A Fawcett How-To Book, Number 477).

3 comments about Standard Catalog of Firearms: From the Publishers of Gun List (Standard Catalog of Firearms).

1. A true buyers guide should include a thorough look at each model of various firearms made by various manufacturers. All variations must be noted and all differences/similarities should be spelled out for the readers. Every calibre of every type; the uniqueness of a particular make (the hardness of the frame, the type of slide rails that were developed and when; etc,etc,etc); a glossary for novices and professionals alike (eg, what does parabellum mean?) and the list goes on. All commentaries on manufacturer's and their products histories were too brief and will disappoint everyone except for the resellers and novices. If you don't care about pricing and the historical values of a particular piece, take a look at a publication like GUN DIGEST. DO not make the mistake of thinking this is a true reference however. This is strictly a pricing catalog and nothing more.



2. This book has a great many listings and while a very thick book it is not very wordy. Only the bare facts are presented, enough to identify the the gun and then the prices that are based on the "Gun List" publication. I have found the prices to be on the high side when compared to local (Indiana) gun show prices. This is to be expected since the price is based on national buyer exposure. It is still just a guide and a good one, I would have given it five stars, but for the fact that it lacked some details in the description that I would have found useful as a amature gun buyer.



3. This handy reference should be part of every firearm collectors library. Anyone interested in firearms should have a copy of this book. Included is Colt's Manufacturing Companys discontinued model alerts, changes by UPS and other common carrier in shipping, a list of the firearms included in Clinton's ban on "assault style" firearms, an article on the firearms world in review for 1999, arrticle on selected class three firearms, explanation of the grading system..

   Some of the firearm manufacturers listed are American Derringer Corp., American Frontier Firearms, Auto Ordnance Corp., Ballard Patent Arms, Bretta, Browning Arms Co., and many others too numerous to list in complete detail.

   A bkack & white photo accompanies many of the descriptions to make identication easy. Every fireams is listed with the estimated retail value depending upon condition. Background information is listed when available as to when a model was introduced as well as when it was discontinued. Detailed information is given such as to the style of pistol grips, type & length of barrel, type of ammunition, and type of stock. There are new sections on Webley autos, Seville and El Dorado revolvers. Firearms covered are from 1838 to 1999. One of the most comphrensive books available on the market today.

No comments about All Right, Louie, Drop the Gun - Arthur Godfrey.

No comments about Guns Illustrated 1983.

1 comments about Guns.

1. This is one of those books that cries out to be MORE than it is, unfortunately.
   
   The lithography in the color plates is outstanding and worthy of praise. The (all too) brief facts that accompnay each manufacturer are a nice adjunct to the pictures.
   
   Where the book falls short is it doesn't have ALL current manufacturers mentioned, and that's a real shame. Even some models currently in production by the manufacturers featured are not included.
   
   It's a "nice" book...but it could have SO much more. Still, I enjoyed it and it is a pleasant diversion when you have some time to just kick back.

3 comments about Black Powder Hobby Gunsmithing.

1. This book is a complete step by step reference for building, tuning, and repairing black powder rifles, pistols, and revolvers. The section on tuning cap and ball revolvers immediately paid for my book. It also has a great historical introduction on the frontier gunsmith, with sections on tools and safety.



2. The author covers all the important steps and gives a few tips. The problem is the instructions that come with gun kits has better detail.



3. Unfortunately this book is now out of print and its content out of date. I can not find one of the kit models which it covers still in production.
   
   But no matter. The information stands on its own. You can benefit allot from the pictures and overall skills that can be mastered by applying what can be gleaned to similar projects.
   
   Thanks Sam!

No comments about Guns Illustrated, 1985.

No comments about Owner-Authorized Handguns: A Workshop Summary.

2 comments about The Krag Rifle.

1. This book covers the history and traces the changes this fine rifle went through as the US forces converted from black powder to smokeless. It is a great resource for identifing proper parts makeup for that rifle you are looking to collect. The rear sight options are extensive.



2. Lt. Cl. Brophy has done a decent job of outlining the history, machanical changes and service use that the U.S. Model Krag- Jorgenson rifle was involved in. Chapters are layed out in cronological order beginning with the quest for smokless powder and ending with the inception of the Model of '03.

   Yet after reading and rereading this work, it becomes apparant that the author could have been much clearer in the way that he layed out the facts most important to the arms collector. Perhaps the one charactoristic that contributed to the lack of clarity in this book is that much of the text are reprinted copies of the Springfield Arsonal's formal records and corespondances on the arm, and the many changes that underwent. As a result the book tends to bog down and the reader is left with no alternative but to skim along looking for the facts relevant to the collecting of these arms. The vast majority of these transcriptions would have been better left for the appendicies, (of which there are many). Yet, the appendacies that were constructed for this work are written in such small font that they are all but unreadable. (There are typically four transcribed pages to each appendacized page).

   In addition the author's use of pictures was less then optimal for the reader wishing to collect the Krag. Many of the pictures in this book are too dark to clearly illustrate the small details for which they were provided. This proves frustrating to the reader. Also, with regard to pictures, the author did not use them to compare and contrast various configurations of the rifle by placing different configurations along side one another. He did however do this with some pictures of some of the internal parts of the weapon which was indeed helpful.

   This book is fine as a coffee table book. It provides an excellent look into the inner workings of the Springfield Armory at a very critical time in the history of firearms development, as well as some information on the detailed changes that took place on the martial arm of that time. Yet if one seeks information pertinent to the collecting of this arm, such as is found in "The Trapdoor", by Earnst and Wait, or in any of the "Collector Field Guide Series", by J.C. Harrison, they are looking in the wrong place.

No comments about "Gun Digest".