1 comments about The New World of Russian Small Arms and Ammo.

1. If you are interested in the latest developments in Russian firearms, this book is a must. It covers everything from rifles to grenade launchers, to new ammo. Even, underwater weapons are covered. This book is more of the coffee table type, but it serves as a good reference from people who know firearms!

2 comments about Complete Guide to Compact Handguns.

1. This book is a companion volume to Gangarosa's The Complete Guide to Service Handguns. I've written an in-depth review of that book under that title, but everything I said there applies to this book as well. I won't duplicate my review here, and would suggest looking under the other title to see my review if you are interested. Short recommendation? Buy this while you can still find it.



2. Excelent book. A real nice choice for any one looking for a compact handgun for self defense. The autor makes a very detailed description of firearms and the most convenient way to carry them.

No comments about Hand Cannons: The World'S Most Powerful Handguns.

2 comments about American Swords and Sword Makers, Vol. II.

1. The author has broken new ground on one of the most collected fields of collecting. His intensive research is obvious, and the information you find here is seldom encountered elsewhere.
   
   It is a massive work. The author definitely didn't gloss over the subject, something which is much appreciated in books on militaria these days.
   
   While there are a few photographs, I think the format is such that many more could have been offered without significantly adding to the number of pages, enhancing and braking up the text better. Don't get me wrong, the book is about the information within, but more photographs or illustrations scattered throughout would have made the hours you will want to spend with this book just a bit more visual appealing.
   
   Don't pass this one up if you have any interest in sword collecting what-so-ever!



2. The best way to increase the value of a sword that you have in your collection or wish to purchase is to identify it by maker, date and period ownership. American sword makers, and thier products, can be found easily in this book, and their dates of manufacture can often be identified as well. Reference works such as this, with plentiful illustrations, are essential for all collectors.

No comments about Texas Smoke: Muzzle-Loaders on the Frontier.

1 comments about Winchester Slide-Action Rifles: volumes i & ii (Winchester Classics).

1. Ever since shooting a Winchester slide-action rifle in a shooting gallery, it has been my dream to own such a rifle. After many, many years, I finally came across a used Winchester Model 61 that I could buy. A large part of the enjoyment, however, comes from reading up on the history of this type of weapon. I find it fascinating to be able to establish the year the rifle was made and to check whether all the parts are authentic because they were made in the same time-frame.

5 comments about Browning Superposed: John M. Browning's Last Legacy.

1. As an owner of a Browning Superposed, I was interested in the history of its' design. This book is, in many ways, an excellent overview of this popular over/under which combines American design with Belgian Fabrique Nationale Herstel craftsmanship. I did, however, find the details of Browning's business history excessive, boring and unnecessary; charts, sales figures, etc.. A few pages on this subject would have been more than adequate; I wanted to know about the gun. The color photos are excellent, although, of course, I would have liked more. Paper quality is also excellent. In short, everything is here for the Browning or double enthusiast. Just filter through the boring stuff. If you're interested in the Superposed there's really no alternative to this book. Plus it's reasonably priced for what you get. Hope this review helps anyone considering the purchase of this book.



2. I enjoyed this book for it's illustrations and written content. I dissagree with the some of the other reviewers comments. The "Salt-Wood" problem was discussed, several paragraphs worth covering it's origin. There is also discussion of the design changes made during the course of production and well as a sidebar on the Simmons/Cordy & Sons barrel conversions. The text does focus alot on the financial dealings of the Browning family and the FN factory, but the Superposed was a commercial venture so the health of the company producing it is relevant. I also enjoyed the lengthy discussion of the engravers with samples of their workmanship. It was ammusing to compare the photos to my '69 Grade I Broadway. The book could have used more engineering drawings of the design. However, I didn't expect this book to be focused on the repair of Superposed shotguns.



3. This book held great promise for me. But as I read through it, I began to realize how few real facts about the Superposed it actually contained. Oh, there are plenty of sales charts and market projections... photos of beautiful guns, too. But these can only suffice to a point. The collector and aficionado wants to know more than the story of engraving and sales histories. The inside story of the gun is crtical. The steels. The design. The mechanism's function and evolution. And with so much access to the FN records and personnel, actual on-site contact in Liege, and an apparent interview with the late Val Browning, author Schwing managed to reveal very little beyond the empirical. Many of the facts that are contained in the book are also repeated. Some more than twice. It's still a great photo feast, however. And it inspired me to go out and buy two Superposed shotguns. So the book does have a certain value.



4. The book is a good tabletop piece, with some well researched facts about the Superposed history and some excellent color illustrations. If you are buying the book to guide you in the purchase of a Superposed beware! There is no discussion of the salt wood problem that existed from 1966 to 1973. Unless you are excited about statistical data covering models, grades, etc. you will not be pleased with the large percentage of the book dedicated to charts and graphs. You can learn more about the Superposed from other books and articles than is available here. Caveat Emptor!



5. I am an admirer of fine firearms and I own three double barrel shotguns; one of which is a Browning Superposed, SN 69172. I bought it used back in 1970 for $288. Wow! Say goodbye to the good old days. When I saw this book, I had to have it. The author went into great depth and detail regarding what has to be one of the finest double barreled shotguns ever made. Nothing is left to chance, from its first years as a production item through to the present, when it ended up becoming a custom made item. Chronological dates are provided concerning production and when they were made. Mine was made in 1959. I was especially impressed with the chapter on the engraving department for the FN Works. The number of engravers employed by the factory was extensive and it is no small wonder the higher grade Brownings are some of the most beautifully engraved guns I have ever seen. This is borne out by the very extensive use of color photographs of the engraving and custom guns found throughout the book. If you are an admirer of fine guns like I am, then you would enjoy sitting down in your favorite chair one evening and reading this book. This is a book to be read again and again and enjoyed. Buy it. It will be money well spent.

No comments about The Sky Scorpions: The Story of the 389th Bomb Group in World War II.

No comments about Gunsmiths of Lancaster and York Counties, Pennsylvania (Mellen Studies in History).

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.