5 comments about Colt's Single Action Army Revolver.

1. I bought this, looking for something about Colt Single Action Revolvers. This book covers mostly copies of Colts, info on quickdraw, Bisleys, Rugers, etc. Much of the book repeats the same info in each chapter. Save your money and get something else. I rated it one star because there was nothing lower. There is a list of Colt SAA serial numbers which was the best part of the book. I wouldn't ever buy a Doc O'Meara book again.



2. An exceedingly strange production: it is really not about Colt's Single Action Army Revolver, but instead associated but irrelevant phenomenon, i.e., Italian clones (who cares?), Rugers (who cares?), forgotten celebrities who were once photographed carrying Colts (who really cares?) It's all there except for, er, you know, the SUBJECT OF THE BOOK, on which, alas, there's very little. It's as if the compositor lost a set of six or eight chapters somewhere and the publishers hoped nobody would notice. When I finished paging through it, I thought, Yes, but where's the stuff on the famed sixgun?



3. Colt Single Action Army revolver... repeats some useful information regarding the evolution of the arm and also provides some useful information regarding dating by serial number. The book would be moderately interesting if the above data were not already widely available from such authorities as Robert Wilson and legions of collectors of the Colt variations.

   This volume will probably be seconded to the bargain section of your neighborhood bookstore in short order. A substantial reduction in price would be worth the wait.




4. This was one of,if not the worst, book on Colt SAAs I have ever bought. It appears as a compilation of articles from monthly publications. It has very little info on older, original SAAs. There is lots of stuff on shooting modern replicas and there is not much depth there either. I was very disappointed.



5. A slim (160-page) coffee table book that will please, but...... O'Meara's setting of the Colt SAA in its historical background is clear, simplified and useful for anyone who has difficulty quite fathoming the sometimes intricate development of and differences between the various Colt pistols -- from the Patterson, Pocket, Walker, Dragoon, Navy, and Army models up to the SAA. The rest of the book covers a broad range of SAA topics -- replicas, rivals, fine-tuning, conversions and variants, cartridges, engraving, cowboy shooting, etc -- all in somewhat simple style and language. I get the impression no new ground is broken with this book. I imagine it is tough to publish such a limited-audience book and have it emerge just as one would wish it to be, however a professional editor (i.e. someone other than the author) could have done much to improve the readability and attractiveness of it. The pokey little b&w photos that litter the text are better than nothing but don't convey the power of thse guns or their historic significance. Any firearms catalogue offers better. And the color photos, which are bigger and better than the b&ws are too amateurish (or badly printed by today's standards) to enthuse any but the already enthused. I don't want to be negative as this book is obviously a labor of love by O'Meara. But I was disappointed that more had not been made of the opportunity to show off this key part of (monument to?) grass roots American history. ( ). That's a bit steep for a book with these limitations IMHO.

5 comments about Italian Rapier Combat: Ridolfo Capo Ferro.

1. Okay, I agree with the others who rave about Capo Ferro. And yes, translating anything out of another language is difficult, and even more so when it was written 400 years ago.
   
   I have used both this (Kirby) translation and the Swanger\Wilson translation. I find the S\W translation to much more usable. The Kirby translation seems to have been done with the goal of impressing academics and NOT with the goal of being readable and usable by non-academic fencers. (by non-academic I mean "not a researcher")
   
   It is very difficult to follow for one simple reason. And that is because the Kirby translation leaves almost all key terms in Italian. Even if there is a perfectly equivalent English term, Kirby left it in Italian. By comparison, S\W tranlated all but a few key terms.
   
   I cannot cite a specific example, because I don't have it anymore. But imagine reading a book, and every few words there's a foreign word stuck in. And even though you know what that word means, it still stops you cold. It's the mental equivalent of going for a run and having to stop every 20 feet to tie your shoes. The solution? Use different shoes.
   
   So I wonder, what is the point of translating something if you are going to leave every 7th word in the original language?
   
   On the positive side, the pictures are very very clear, and big. Mind you, you can't do the techniques without the pictures. There are a few of them which in the S\W tranlation can't be made out as to whether someone is striking above or below the sword, or in 2nd or 4th. But the Kirby pictures can clear that right up.
   
   So to sum up:
   
   Translation bad, unless you like memorizing new words that you don't know how to pronounce.
   
   Pictures good, very clear (this is important).
   
   I recommend having one Kirby book for every rapier GROUP so that you have good clear illustrations. And then use the Swanger/Wilson tranlation for learning the techniques.
   
   I am sure that a bunch of the other historical fencers are going to lambaste me for daring to criticize a translation of a fencing master. But I found this book so difficult to use, I sold it after only two weeks.



2. Some will know Capo Ferro as a throw away reference in the cult fencing favorite; the duel between the Inigo Montoyo and the man in black atop the cliffs of insanity in "The Princess Bride".
   
   In fact, Ridolfo Capo Ferro was considered one of the great fencers of the 17th Century and his methods are considered foundational even in clasical fencing schools of today. His forms and strategies can give studied depth to the most experienced combat fencer.
   
   This book contains the original artwork, pen and ink illustrations that are gracious and clear. That alone makes the book worth collecting.
   
   All that said, this is not lightweight work in either form or concepts. It will take some work to read and apply the concepts, with many referals to the glossary as some terms are left in the original italian.
   
   I can see this in the library of two kinds people; Those who simply want to enjoy the historical value of well illustrated 17th century reference, those who wish to add some of the time tested wisdom of the ages to their martial art.



3. Writing in 1610, Ridolfo Capoferro immortalizes the prevalent swordsmanship style of Italy - the style we now call "rapier" - by presenting both the underlying theory and practical advice. Historically, this remains one of the most important and oft-quoted books on the subject, so much so that in the 19th Century early Renaissance-fencing revivalists celebrated it as one of the absolute pinnacles of European martial writing (see Egerton Castle, Jacopo Gelli).
   
   The book is divided into two main sections: the "art" and the "use" of the sword. In the first part, the author distills fencing down to a rock-solid set of essential rules, some of which are planted in the Aristotelian tradition of physics. Anyone thinking that European martial arts are brutally pragmatic compared to their Asian counterparts will be pleasantly surprised by Capoferro's philosophical approach to such aspects as time and space.
   
   The second part describes the practical side of fencing, which is founded on the rules enumerated in the previous section. Capoferro starts by giving some important definitions and practical advice on such topics as walking, attacking, parrying, controlling the opponent's blade, etc. Then, he presents illustrations of six guards and a very detailed picture of the lunge, along with letters and lines showing the geometric relation between the different body-parts. From here, Capoferro presents and illustrates a number of different practical scenarios that lead to one of the two fencers scoring a hit - and he intersperses some further commentary on important actions. Besides the main weapon (the sword), left-hand companion weapons get their share of the author's attention - dagger, cloak and even a large round shield called "rotella."
   
   The illustrations are among the most striking and artistic in the history of fencing (the one on the cover is a good representation of what is in the book).
   
   This first English edition of Capoferro is beautifully put together, with the illustrations reproduced cleanly and accurately. The translator has done a very good job maintaining a parallel structure between the original and the translation as far as page numbers, paragraphs, etc. Many of the technical Italian terms have been left untranslated, but a glossary is provided to understand them.
   
   If you are even remotely interested in European martial arts, dueling or swordsmanship in general, this book is a must-have. If you are a student of the rapier, you will learn more good theory and fencing repertoire than you can imagine - in spite of its age, Capoferro's instruction is very clear and easy to follow.



4. Having researched and practiced historical fencing for more than a decade, I can appreciate the hard work and challenge the transcription, translation and interpretation of ancient language pertaining to the historical fighting arts can be. Mr. Kirby has done an exemplary job of making such material available to everyone studying these fighting arts. Along with the scholastic contributions by modern day fencing masters, Maestro Ramon Martinez and Maestro Jeanette Acosta-Martinez, a serious practitioner of this fighting art would be diminished without this particular publication in their library.
   
   Ridolfo Capo Ferro, master of the Italian rapier, whose work is based on over 200 years of Italian fencing tradition, published the original treatise in 1610, almost exactly 200 years after the first known Italian fencing treatise by the great fencing master, Fiore dei Liberi, presents to the practioner, access to the foundations of fencing so difficult to extract from historical treatises. This publication now unlocks the original treatise and makes available to every practitioner the eloquent nature and elements of Italian rapier fencing. A recommended publication that includes the 43 beautiful illustrations from the original treatise, along with the translations of the text offering the student, both visual and textual information which will enhance and refine their own technique and understanding of this art.
   
   David M. Cvet
   Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts



5. The translation is straightforward, retaining the original terms, and the original artwork is some of the best, leaving little room for error and omitting any dubious modern interpretation or commentary by any self proclaimed masters.
   It is also a good work for beginning students of the rapier. Master Capo Ferro includes his basic guards and stances, and explanation of many basic concepts. The techniques are also viciously effective and economical, and well described. Many of the plates include a grid on the floor for even more exact interpretation of the techniques. Definitely a must have for anyone interested in this deadly and inovative western weapon.

No comments about Gun Digest, 1990: 44th Annual Edition.

No comments about Gun Digest 1989 43rd Annual Edition.

3 comments about Guns of the Old West: An Illustrated Guide.

1. Since this is a reprint of a 46 (1961) year old publication my main criticism is that it was just copied and all of the original omissions and mistakes are presented again, just as they were in 1961. As a collector of 19th century Smith & Wesson's and it's predecessors, this book misses the factual marks of that manufacturer repeatedly. It lists the products of the first Smith & Wesson company (1852-1854) as being produced by another company (Volcanic Arms) and it plays down the significance of the development of self-contained cartridge firing handguns by Smith & Wesson throughout it's presentation. It truly glorifies the development of the cartridge firing revolvers by Colt's and almost ignores those by Smith & Wesson even though the number of Smith & Wesson revolvers produced prior to the turn of the 19th century was far greater than the number produced by Colt's. No wonder most uninformed people believe that the Single Action Army revolver was the only gun popular in the Old West when there were far more Smith & Wesson's produced and sold during that time period.
   
   The sections on pre-Civil War arms was well done except I did notice the very limited mention of the U.S. Model 1841 so-called Mississippi Rifle which was very important during both the War with Mexico and the Civil War.
   
   If you are looking for a definitive reference on the Guns of the Old West, this really isn't it, however some of the background information and stories are wonderful.



2. Overall a good book with lots of information on the subject. A few of the pictures in the book were labelled with the wrong descriptions. Otherwise, worth the money.



3. Firearms played an important role in the West, guarding against animals and outlaws alike. Guns Of The Old West is an informative survey which will interest a wide range of readers; from those interested in early firearms, to others who want an accurate narrative of those who used them. Descriptions accompany black and white drawings of rifles, revolvers and other weapons. The history is lively and well done and will interest a large audience.

No comments about Modern Law Enforcement Weapons & Tactics.

3 comments about Fighting Rifle.

1. 
   Taylor is a man who has "been there, done that" with regards to combat shooting. This is his work, one of the original works on combat marksmanship. This book covers the basic history of various types of modern rifles in combat. It discusses the advantages of battle rifles vs assault rifles and gives good recommendations to consider. It has very good sections on the techniques of their use. It is as good as any book on the basics, and gives advice on how to acquire these skills for use on the battlefield (as apposed to the square range.) It also delves into basic individual tactical principles though it is far from complete in this area. No book is, so this isn't a complaint. As a bonus there is a section on the disassembly of most modern rifle families. That alone is worth the price. It is a bit dated, and a few things have changed since he wrote this. There are also a very few things I disagree with, but it is certainly worth getting. It may be the best introductory text on training to use a combat rifle. Even with its "typed on a typewriter and photocopied pictures1984 production" it is still better than most. Looks shouldn't make a book anyway!



2. This is a really good, concise book about exactly what the title indicates -- rifles used for fighting. The author is a renowned combat/law enforcement firearms expert. Unlike many others who claim that status, he actually has seen a fair amount of real-world combat. Thus his advice is always based on experience, not theory, with an emphasis always on practicality. He tells you what works, and why, in an objective, no-nonsense way. His derision of "slide-rule commando[s]" and "armchair expert[s]", i.e. those who spend more time number-crunching than shooting, made me think of several current 'gunwriters' who shall remain nameless. He also lampoons IPSC, which has strayed far from its original purpose, a criticism with which I believe Jeff Cooper agreed.
   
   The author makes his preferences on the subject of combat longarms clear, but doesn't belabor the point and definitely allows that other weapons may work better for other people in different situations. I particularly liked his focus on what combat really is: trying to kill another person before he kills you. That's a point too often neglected. On this same line, I liked the fact that the author spent more time on tactics than on formal shooting positions. I also appreciated that he devoted a chapter to the bayonet, which never really went obsolete (I believe Marines in Fallujah used them quite recently.)
   
   My only complaints have to do with packaging. I think this book could be significantly improved with better-quality, color photos, as the pics in this edition are b/w and sometimes hard to decipher in detail. Jeff Cooper's excellent ART OF THE RIFLE benefitted from this (see the color version and compare to the original.) This book could likewise benefit from a facelift.



3. As someone who has taken courses with Taylor, this is the definitive work on the subject and I believe represents the best and most concise available source to civilians by where they can learn the actual uses for various military rifles, deployment of same, etc. As we have all been poisoned by movies and TV, where we see the guy with the Uzi pistol take out rifle toting goons at 300 yards, our minds have to be de-toxed from the umpteen years of garbage implanted there and this book it as close as you can come to an enema to remove that. Each infantry arm, SMG, Shotgun, Carbine and Battle Rifle are addressed, from both a select fire and semi fire perspective. The carrying and deployment of same is addressed. Practical applications, like muzzle blast, carrying of magazines, changing of magazines, are all addressed. While some of the material is dated, and several of Taylor's shooting techniques have been modified by him to make them better and quicker, whether or not you could ever go to one of this classes, this book and diligent practice of its techniques will put you a mile on top of everyone else.

No comments about Combat Handguns (Greenhill Military Manuals).

No comments about Great Combat Handguns: A Guide to Using, Collecting and Training With Handguns.

No comments about Guns on the Early Frontiers: A History of Black Powder Weapons...... (ISBN: 0760701695).