5 comments about Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Military Firearms).

1. Can't do with it if you are a collector or dealer, Has the imfo that you need to price your guns, Very well written so you can understand it and get a general idea of what your items our worth in todays market.



2. This is a great reference. One of the most complete and useful volumes I have ever seen. A must for any firearms collector.



3. I am not an expert, but I do have a collection of: German, Russian, Swiss, Turkish and American military firearms and the popular dedicated reference books for each. What I see missing most from Standard Catalogue of Military Firearms is accuate market values. Prices listed for commodity Milsurp firearms are 2x - 3x market value, even if compared to the past two years. Missing also is the value by country of origin or arsenal and not much attention paid to the glut of inexpensive imports sold through various Milsurp outlets. As an example what is refered to generically as a 1903/38 Turkish Mauser, could actually be conversions made from 1890, 1893, 1903, 1905 carbine, G 98 and the Czech 98/22 Mausers in both small, large ring and hybrid action/barrel.
   
   The Model 1895 Nagant revolver is, again, listed at twice to three times the accepted market value and without discerning the price difference amongst Milsurp models based upon production date, arsenal and configuration. These late production refurbished revolvers were not only made at the Soviet arsenal Tula, they were also made at Izhevsk and marked accordingly. The cartridge for the gun is listed as only the 7.62mm, a label that applies to several cartridges; it is the 7.62x38mmR.
   
   The book is a good source for general identification, which is more than a small accomplishment, it just isn't a very good price guide for buying and selling firearms. It's easier to go to an auction site and spot check as an opportunity arises and reference books dedicated to a more narrow category of firearms will provide a lot more informatio.



4. This book is very interesting and helpful especially when buying old military rifles to collect.



5. Krause Publications, along with Phillip Peterson have outdone themselves in preparing and publishing this 4th edition of what has quickly become a required book in the firearm collector community. As in the previous editions, there is ample discussion and numerous photographs of the listed firearms, and the variations of and much historical context on most of the major models covered. An added bonus in this new edition is the pictorial rich addition of a guide to military bayonets!
   
   As with all collector guides, prices are really dependent on what someone is willing to pay for an item, and the over all economy at the time. The fall in property values and a general slowing of purchase power occurred during the production phase of the book and many models are a little over priced in the late 2007 market (especially the price of transferable machineguns). But this is rather refreshing as the prices are usually undervalued by the publication date of most collector guides.
   
   For the firearm collector interested in military style weapons, this book is an enduring and valuable reference that should be on your bookshelf, or better yet, by your side at the next estate or firearm auction you attend.

3 comments about Warman's Civil War Collectibles: Identification And Price Guide (Warman's Civil War Collectibles).

1. This a great book for collectors of Civil War relics! The book has nice colored pictures of everything from bullets and artillery shells to full uniforms and pictures. Great reference for all your collecting needs.



2. I've collected Civil War relics for over 13 years now & I can tell you that it's very important to have a book like this. By studying this book you'll be able to better identify relics as well as tell a fake from the real thing. I've already used this book to identify a canteen I recently bought for $40.00(!) as a Union medical canteen. Also, this book will tell you the general price of each relic so that you won't be cheated by some crooked dealer on e-bay! However, this book doesn't cover excavated relics well at all & doesn't even mention collecting Civil War veterans' relics. The very best Civil War relic price guide available is North & South Trader's Civil War Collector's Price Guide which not only covers ALL categories of Civil War relics but also has great sections on Revolutionary War relics & the War of 1812. That price guide cost at least double what Warman's guide does, but it's worth it. I think both are great & belong in every Civil War buff's library.



3. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it had exactly the information I was looking for, and was extremely interesting. I highly recommend this book for anyone intersted in the Civil War, whether or not they collect Civil War items.

5 comments about Warman's World War II Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide.

1. I am a collector of WW11 items and this has come in very handy for Identifing items, when the tags have been removed from items, A lot of history of the item and would recommend this book to others. There are better books out there but this one is very usful for the novice.



2. Warman's World War II Collectibles book is very informative but it leaves out some gear that could be studied, like tents and the gear that goes along with with tents. I realize that covering so much more material in a single volume could be prohibitive.



3. Excellent reference for the military collectible "buff". Doesn't have EVERYTHING, but there's lots of good information for you to value items you have, or want to procure...Worth the money...



4. Being a intermediate collector, I thought this book was great for identifying and giving a good price guide for a great deal of WWII collectibles. Advanced collectors probably would not appreciate the overview of many subjects, but this book plainly states it is not specific in all areas. I would definetly take this to shows for ID help for sure! Great buy!



5. I did not intend to write this review today because I just obtained the book today. I found it by chance at a book store and since I am a specialist in World War II numismatics (coins and especially paper money and more), I bought it. When I got home, I found that there were no reader reviews here so I thought that I shold put in at least and short/temporary one.
   There is nothing on numismatics in the book which you might think would turn me off, but I did not really expect to find much if anything on numismatics. This or any book can only be an introduction to WWII items. Heck, our own book on just the numismatics of the war is over 800 pages. So far I have found the text satisfying if brief. Graf lists many hundreds of items in several chapters. The illustrations are excellent. I learned a lot and expect to learn much more. I will try to write a more detailed review later.

5 comments about G.I. COLLECTORS GUIDE: Army Service Forces Catalog: US Army European Theater of Operations.

1. Important and majestic book regarding all material and items used by GI in WWII; extremely important for beginning collectors and modellers.



2. This is the most in depth book I have found in color on the subject of European Theater American WWII collectibles. This is my most favorite book on the subject and I highly recommend it if you are getting started in this hobby. It accompanies me to all shows I attend. But be careful, with more knowledge, comes the a greater want to buy the stuff! Highly recommended!



3. I have collected since the early 70's and still don't know it all but this book tells me everything I need to know for the ETO. Would like to see the same book put out for the pacific theater. This book covers everything from the simpelest of items to the most advanced items for collectors. A must have for the military collector. This book is used by the National Veterans Memorial Museum for reference in their collection.



4. As a World War II reenactor, there have been plenty of times when I've wanted to double check the information on a particular item. I'd seen this book for sale at a couple of shows, but shied away from the price. Finding it at Amazon for much less sealed the deal.
   
   Want to ID a division patch? Need to know where the "U.S." pin belongs on the service coat? Found a old military wool overcoat in the closet and want to know more about it? These questions and much more can be answered with this fantastic book. It has helped me several times, both before and after a militaria purchase. Dress uniforms, cold weather gear, equipment, weapons... everything you'd expect and everything you wouldn't. Gear for chaplains, female personnel, signal corps, engineers. Want to know what a Medical Department food tray looked like? Snow shoes by the Mountain troops? How about a company field desk? Chemical Department gloves? Ever wonder about what kind of cigarettes were included with the rations? Wonder no more. Just about the only area the book doesn't cover is anything to do with the Army Air Forces, which is a pity.
   
   If I had known about the treasure trove of information that this book held within it's pages, I'd have scooped it up years ago. I anticipate using it for research for years to come.



5. This book was recommended to me by a fellow US Army collector / enthusiast. It gives superb descriptions of each item, as well as detailed pictures. Since purchasing this book, I have realised just how valuable some of my collection is - & have also discovered the history behind some items that I thought were not that important. A must for any US Army enthusiast.

3 comments about Standard Catalog Of German Military Vehicles (Standard Catalog Of...).

1. This book is a must for anyone interested in weaponry of WWII. A great source for the vehicles at the Kabinka Tank Museum outside of Moscow and the Munster Tank Museum in Germany. I was amazed that there was a listing of the 12.8 cm Selbstfahriafeete L/61, of which only two were made, the only one in existence in the Kubinka museum. Thanks to the book I could figure out what was in the museums. Oft times they were not labeled correctly.
   
   I highly recommend this book!



2. This book has every vehicle the German Army used during the war.
   A must for every modeler.Execellent pictures!!!



3. I've always wondered about the heavy German use of motorcycles with side cars. And I've been fascinated with the German use of the half track configuration.
   
   This book answered all of my questions. The German half tracks, which came in a wide range of sizes had much better tracks than did the American M2/M3 (It was said that the American machines had rubber bands for tracks), but the German units were not four wheel drive. The little motorcycle looking halftrack was not a tracked motorcycle, but a small prime mover used to do things like haul aircraft around the field. And I've decided that what I really want is a Volkswagon Schwimmwagon, the four wheel drive amphibious vehicle (You can see of these at the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles just off I-80 at Lexington, Nebraska.)
   
   This book has more photographos of German military vehicles than I would have thought existed. Of course it covers all their tanks, but you find these in lots of books. Here are the rest of the vehicles - trucks, motorcycles, prime movers, everything that the Germans produced during World War II.
   
   If these kinds of vehicles are your thing, this is a book you can't do without.

3 comments about FELDBLUSE: The German Army Field Tunic 1933-45.

1. Excellent book, but short. Wets your appetite for more. Excellent pictures & text - highly recommended.



2. This book is exceptional for its size (128 pages). It has many excellent photographs of original tunics: exterior, front, back, interior showing lining, stitching patterns; ink stamps of tailors, garment firms, size and acceptance markings. There are photos of tunics lying flat with equipment, firearms, personal items, with extensive captions identifying all items. Other accurately exposed color photos have male models wearing the tunics with typical gear. The chapters are arranged in chronological order, 1933-1944, with B&W period fotos. Only drawback, only nine pages on officer's tunics. Otherwise, an exhaustive reference with attention to detail and vivid realism you will never tire of examining. A beautiful reference book with no fakes, war movie fantasies, or poor quality reproductions.



3. This book is by far the best ever written on this subject. The book is detailed with great information and color pictures of original garments.

4 comments about Detecting the Fakes.

1. Great tool for collectors. After the book I found out I had at least one fake. Great help when look for other pieces for the collection. Pictures and diagrams and explations what to look for is a must.



2. Since there is no other book on the market which provides such essential basics to becoming a knowledgeable collector I rate this book very high. If you intend on getting into the fun of collecting Nazi era memorabilia this is the first book you should get your hands on. Don't buy anything until you read this book. Chances are if you take this book with you when your looking for Third Reich Militaria you will at least end up with an original and not a fake. Without this book it's buyer beware.



3. If you are going to collect 3rd Reich militaria this book is a must. The biggest drawback is the lack of short glossary explaining some of the terms and how to determine certain kinds of metal. For example: if an item is made out of "tombak" how do I differentiate that from zinc or aluminium. All photos in B&W, color would have been nice. All this aside this book seems to be the best book on the market on the subject.



4. This book is a very helpful guide for helping to separate the fake items from the real ones out there. The hundreds of pictures included in the book wonderfully illustrate the points made in the text. The "Miscellaneous Regalia" section could have been larger and more inclusive but what is included gives good examples of how far people will go to forge items, especially written documents. The book should be very helpful to anyone who purchases it and will be indespensible for the beginning collector.

4 comments about A Collector's Guide to Third Reich Militaria.

1. I suppose as a very general overview it might be useful. Third Reich Militaria is a very vast field. A detailed handbook would probably be more like the Oxford English Dictionary than a 'handbook.' Still, much of the information about values seems somewhat outdated based on my research. I guess overall it's not a bad book, just FAR too small to be very useful to a collecter. You will definately need other material to supplement this book, no question.



2. An absolutely essential book for collector of Third Reich militaria, and the fakes that abound from the internet auction houses. Don't waste your money on out of date publications, this is the one to own.



3. This book is a great introduction to the great hobby of collecting German Militaria. It discusses a wide variety of items giving brief insight on each. It even goes into some detail on reproduction items and how to spot them. Once you decide what area you want to specialize in there are many books out there. But take it from me, this is the one to start you off.



4. Although its getting a bit dated(for pricing, I only wish we could by at these prices) Lumsden is truly an expert, he includes alot of good info on ferreting out fakes. An overall great reference, its small size makes it great for taking along to shows & flea markets, etc.

No comments about Uniforms of the Waffen-SS Sports and Drill Uniforms 'Black Panzer Uniforms'.

1 comments about MAIN BATTLE TANK T-80 (Russian Armour).

1. Mikhail Baryatinskiy does a great job of covering the development and operation of this important modern Russian AFV.
   
   The chapters of this book are as follows:
   
   Tank Development History
   Production and Upgrade (T-80 - T-80 BV)
   Production and Modernization (T-80U - T-80 UD)
   Combat Employment
   From T-80U to Black Eagle
   
   This book contains the most detailed analysis of the T-80 tank up close. The book is replete with very detailed black and white photographs of the tank up close along with excellent colored plates, scaled drawings, and colored photographs. It is a dream come true for modellers and tank buffs!
   
   The info I found most interesting was the combat performance of the T-80. The biggest full-scale use of the T-80 in combat by the Russian army was in the Chechnya conflict in 1995-1996. As the author describes, the T-80 was used inappropriately by the Russian army without adequate training and no ERA armor on the tanks. Consequently, they were vulnerable to the RPGs and anti-armor missiles fired by the Chechnyans. The T-80 was even less survivable than the T-72 on certain conditions, but the T-80 costs so much more than the T-72!
   
   The last 10 pages of the book offers some amazing colored photographs of the upgraded T-80U tank.
   
   Even though this book is pricier than most tank books, it is well worth the cost. If you're a tank buff, a military AFV historian, or a modeller, you would love this book! Highly recommended.