2 comments about Randall Fighting Knives In Wartime.

1. great photos, good reference for Randall nuts! I would have put approximate values as an appendix but hey you can't think of everything!



2. Lots of photos of rare Randall knives but very little history to go with them.

2 comments about Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns (Illustrated Directory).

1. This book rises above two problems: errors/typos and terrible binding. It's a fat little book with very short pages so it's difficult to open it wide enough to read easily.
   And you're going to want to open it wide because they pack alot of info in there. The book is broken down by weapon type (pistol, rifle, light machine-gun, etc.) and you will find most of the well known weapons in here with plenty of weird one-offs and forgotten ancestors.
   The basic info for each gun is mostly complete and the text and photo is generally well-done. The typos are frequent enough to annoy and there are some obvious errors including the wrong weapon description being used for one entry.
   Still a very good addition to a basic library on firearms because few are as comprehensive and feature so many good photographs.



2. This is great book considering its price. It is almost identical to the Jane's Gun Recognition Guide except it is cheaper and doesn't contain as many errors. It has any gun from the year 1900 to the present. I did have trouble finding the SA80. I thought it would have it considering there is a picture of one on the back. But still, this book is a great buy for people who are looking for a good book that contains lots of information on weapons.

1 comments about Rifles and Cartridges for Large Game: From Deer to Bear--Advice on the Choice of a Rifle.

1. This was my first book I've read by Layne Simpson and I'm impressed. Having read his articles in various magazines over the years, his style of writing has been carried over into this in-depth look at rifles and everything about them. Simpson does a great job going over all the different calibers available at the time of printing as well as interjecting just the right amount of personal experience with them. Add onto that the additional information on how rifles can be made more accurate, how rifles are manufactured, popular rifles old and new as well as information specific to using rifles on deer, elk and other classes of game and you have an excellant reference. About the only detractor of this book is his - at times - arrogance. It's apparent that he has favorites within the rifle industry and it comes across as such sporadically throughout the book. I don't know if Layne is aware or intended to come off as a bit high horsed during his writing but it was just enough to make me realize he is a bit of a company man.

3 comments about German Swords and Sword Makers: Edged Weapon Makers from the 14th to the 20th Centuries.

1. This is a book about German swordmakers. It contains very little information about swords in the technical sense, e.g. construction methods or design evolution. There is a listing of the swordmakers names, dates of swordmaking and family connections. There are many pictures of Solingen factories and other historical venues. There is a list of maker's marks which does not seem to be complete nor is it presented as such. There is not much in the way of pictures of swords showing types, characteristic designs, patterns or maker innovations. The photos are of questionable quality and most of the pictures are illustrations with little provenance. Some interesting information on which makers also exported to the U.S. is included. As is usual these days, there is no appendix or detailed Table of Contents. A good book for historians but not so good for the collector.



2. While written material information is excellant in this book, It lacks enough photographs to make it useful for a collector to successfully identify a sword he may have. Also it should have included French, British and German designs. Sorry but this book does not help me at all. The proof marks are availible almost everywhere else. Also to make this book better, it needs more pictures! Spread out the photographs thru the book insted of the "lump-sum" at the rear. Better books than this are out there.



3. I'm a swords-lover, and I found this to be the best, most complete and usefull book ever writen on the subject. If you like swords, it's history and development, you can not skip this one - it's the most amazing research ever done on german swords and it's makers. I'm very happy to have a copy of this fine and fascinating work. You'll be proud to buy one, too.

1 comments about The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Handguns: Pistols and Revolvers of the World 1870 to the Present.

1. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Handguns is a fantastic reference for the avid gun and militaria collector. It is a vast compendium of sketches and illustrations of thousands of handguns from around the world and accross time. It is organized by country of manufacture and includes a brief treatise on the companies referenced. The great value of this book lies in its use as tool to determine the origin of obscure, cryptically marked handguns and rare variations of better known models. The weakness of the book lies in its organization. This tome could benefit from a good cross-referenced index. Nonetheless, it is a work that all serious collectors of this genre should own.

4 comments about Classic Handguns of the 20th Century.

1. This text discusses approximately twenty categories of handguns (plus variations within each category) during the specified time period. Writing, photography, and graphic illustration is excellent. The level of detail is extremely helpful to the beginner. Those more experienced with handguns, who have works that specifically deal with their favorites, may find it less informative, though they may still enjoy it as a general historical overview, and for the quality of the photography and graphics. There are some noteworthy omissions (such as the Colt Model M or "pocket hammerless"), but this is still a fine overview.



2. very nice book, the information for the included handguns was very informative. I was able to learn some things about a couple of S&W handguns I owned which was very interesting.The book is a good read for anyone interested in some of the more famous and popular handguns of the 20th century.



3. I thought this is a wonderful book. There are terrific close-up photos of the guns from different angles which are the next best thing to actually holding them. In addition there are exploded diagrams, historical background, and stories about individuals who are particulary associated with each gun. I only wish the book was longer, more in depth, and had more examples of these classics . (The S&W K-22 .22 caliber revolver is one of my favorites that wasn't in the book, for example.) - - I hope the author comes out with additional editions covering other firearms presented in this same style and format. I would definitely buy them. - - - (Note: I'm a very picky buyer - 4 stars is an extremely high rating for me.)



4. Don't get your hopes up with this slim tome. It only covers 20 models of handguns and six of those are pretty much the same guns in different calibers, Colt and Smith and Wesson double action revolvers.

1 comments about Rifles of the World.

1. This book makes for excellent reference material for those thinking of investing in a great rifle or simply enthusiastic about the art of rifles today.Exhaustive gun list covering most commercial rifles of today and yesterday without wasting too many pages on worthless ballistic charts.Highly recommended reference for hunters,competitive shooters,collectors or simply gun enthusiasts.

No comments about Hunting Weapons from the Middle Ages to the Twentieth Century: With 288 Illustrations.

2 comments about Field Guide to Flint Arrowheads & Knives of the North American Indian: Identification & Values.

1. The book contains excellent, black and white actual-size photographs of points and blades from the Eastern United States. The photos are labeled with the point name, approximate archeological period, typical states in which found, and approximate value to collectors.

   There are only four pages of general information text. There are no descriptions of material types associated with the photos.

   For someone interested in information on point methodology, material types, or significant historical information, the book will be a major disappointment. Additionally, though the title is "Flint Arrowheads & Knives of the North American Indian" I could find only three pages containing point types found in the Northern Western United States.

   For Eastern US collectors, the photos may be of some interest, but for a novice artifact hunter out West, information in the book is virtually non-existent.




2. Compared to other books in this field, this one is lacking for the avid collecter. It is a very good book for the beginner because it covers the most common types of points pretty well. The pictures and discriptions are as good as most in this field.

3 comments about Standard Catalog of Winchester: The Most Comprehensive Price Guide Ever Published.

1. If there is an interest in all manner of Winchester products, "Standard Catalog of Winchester" is an okay black and white price catalog of all sorts of items sold under the Winchester name. Even if you are not a Winchester collector, the contents are interesting to thumb through.

   The firearms section is approximately 120 pages, which are virtually the same Winchester pages that appear in other Krause Publications such as "The Standard Catalog of Firearms" and "Fladerman's...", only expanded though the use of larger versions of the same pictures and illustrations. I only mention this duplication of content because, if you already have any of these other Krause publications, this book does not offer expanded or new information relating to firearms.




2. An excelent book for any Winchester fan! I found stuff I had no idea Winchester had manufactured. Highly Recomended.



3. This brand new, year 2000, 752 page softbound reference work contains everything you'll need and want to know about Winchester products. There are more than 90 very arge, sharp, full color photos and more than 2,500 great black and white photos. 2,500 major products are included and current values for more than 10,000 items. This is more than a picture-price guide. It's loaded with useful information for the Winchester enthusiast. Topics range from Winchester History, Firearms, Engraving, Cartridge Boxes, Shotshells to Reloading Tools and Supplies, Junior Rifle Corps, Pocket Knives, Fishing Equipment, Sports Items, Farm and Garden Tools, Axes, Carpentry Tools, Mechanic Tools, Kitchen and Household Appliances, Padlocks, Flashlights, and more and more. Wow !! There are even sections on Calendars, Posters, and Advertising and Trench Art. A Winchester enthusiast's dream come true. Items are easily located. I don't know what else could have been included in this book. Get it and enjoy, enjoy . . .