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

1. brilliant. An extremely spellbinding work. This exercise in brilliant analysis and insight would make even experts of history like Joe McCarthy proud.



2. If you have any interest in C&R collecting or hold an FFL then this periodical should be a well-worn tool on your bookshelf.



3. As many of the reviewers pointed out, just a basic description of the weapons. Variations of individual weapons may be pointed out, but prices for those variations aren't necessarily mentioned. It typically only refers to the primary manufacturer of a weapon, even though other arsenals may have supplied the same weapon (which can mean a substantial pricing difference), the variations probably won't be there or barely mentioned. Also remember this is a MILITARY gun book, if you have a commercial version of the weapon or import for civilian sale it is most likely not there at all(AK-47s, AR-15 etc). I also expected some mention of importers and their markings to help identify the weapons. You can get as good or better information from most of the gun forums on the internet.



4. Every year it improves....more info, better detail, only wished the printed pitures had better detail.....



5. This book is a great reference for the Gun collector and firearm enthusiast. The material is well written and a good point to search for values on military firearms.

5 comments about Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868 (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

1. One day, when I was fourteen or fifteen my grandfather pulled me over to the book shelf and handed me some books and said that I 'had' to read them, implying that not doing so would condemn me to a life of ignorant darkness. One was The Red and The Black, another, Conrad's Lord Jim, I think and perhaps a third was Madame Bovary.
   His point was well taken, in retrospect, if not well made, and grounded in a belief that there is a certain canon of knowledge that has a place in a person's education.
   As such a library of books should be accumulated that help to inform one about the world.
   I would put it to you that this is one of those books. As an art book, quite frankly, it leaves a bit to be desired despite the superb construction of its binding and the quality of its paper. For this reason one is happy that the book is made in Japan, because it has the look and feel of something well made and substantial and unlikely to explode or be recalled for any other reason. Actually, my complaint concerns the editorial choice to go with a matte finish rather than glossy, and not to photograph the exhibited swords in color.
   This is a book ostensibly about art, after all and unless we are talking about black and white art, by God, I want to look at color reproductions. There probably is an excellent rationale for using a matte finish rather than gloss for the numerous excellent reproductions of Samurai 'Art' ranging from aforementioned swords to copious amounts of elaborate armor, highly decorative sword guards, fittings, scabards, clothing, and other accoutrements of war, as well as reproductions of period scrolls depicting more of the same. These are accompanied by mostly edifying text giving contextual information as well as interesting provenance details. Apart from some minor typographical irritations, e.g. in a discussion of a certain type of pig iron it is first identified as zuke and then as zuku, the accompanying text is generally lucid and informative. One does wish, however, that a broader discussion of the actual functionality of the pictured items had been undertaken for, while some of it was obviously ceremonial in nature, it is not made clear if all of it was, and it would be interesting to know just how effective the various armor and weapons were in their assigned roles. The weight of one set of the armor was listed once, I think it would have been interesting to know what each of the pieces at the exhibition weigh.
   Likewise, this Metropolitan Museum of Art publication, includes many pictures of swords. A major constituent part of the Samurai sword is the pattern that appears on the polished metal. These patterns are nearly indistinguishable as pictured: A major shortcoming.
   Nevertheless, this is a book worth owning. Not just for its large number of excellent, if matte finish, reproductions and extended essays but also for how well it demonstrates the very Japaneseness of these items. (Oh, and by the way, the book includes material earlier than 1156 as a means of tracing the evolution of the various forms of armor and sword blades.)
   What is perhaps most impressive about this collection is the amazing, utterly amazing, continuity of forms and aesthetics that can be observed from the earliest items to contemporary Japan's artwork or, more exactly, cultural signifiers.
   Such a unified cultural thread is really quite extraordinary. Consider, for instance, the English whose civilization is arguably as old as Japan's. Yet can any one identify a single continuous ancient English theme that runs through its culture today (Putting aside Shakespeare who one argues was channeling the Greeks and doing after a gap of more than a thousand years)? Englishness was once defined by its affinity to tea, a Chinese import, and to fish and chips (the latter, a new world import). Her artists, while excellent at times, hardly define the culture (Turner, Constable, Hogarth) do they? Dickens might have captured more than a moment in time, but one could hardly call any aspect of modern England Dickensian could one?
   The Japanese, on the other hand, not only defined themselves through an aesthetic typified by the Samurai (one part of a greater contiguous whole), but have also taken its motifs to heart and woven them into the present day culture.
   For this reason, what it says visually about the Japanese, I recommend owning this book. Also, I suspect it may become collectible; although I am unfamiliar with art books with Samurai themes so can't be sure.



2. The book was a gift to my son ,who is a collector of books on this subject,and he was very pleased.
   He said it was perhaps the most beautiful book in his collection



3. 
   A superb collection of Japanese arms and armor as well as the history that goes with it.



4. It's an amazin book that show a various times in the Samurai Tradition, Culture and Legacy, amazing photos and a way to imagine the great warriors that was these Samurai.



5. An outstanding catalog from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, beautiful photos and editing by Morihiro Ogawa.

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.

4 comments about Vanished Armies: A Record of Military Uniform Observed And Drawn in Various European Countries During the Years 1907 to 1914 (Shire General).

1. A fine book. I recomend it to enyone who is intersted in the full dress uniforms of the beginnig of XX century, but I must notice that two plates of the British Army are repeated, so one is missing.



2. VANISHED ARMIES: A RECORD OF MILITARY UNIFORM OBSERVED AND DRAWN IN VARIOUS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES DURING THE YEARS 1907 TO 1914 offers a collection painted in the early 1900s by author A.E. Haswell Miller, a Scottish artist and army officer fascinated by military dress. It appears in print for the first time and provides a collection of watercolors and notes key to any military history collection.



3. Solid eyewitness full-color watercolors of European soldiers as seen in public in pre-World War One Europe (some a little later). Many of the uniforms are thus some variation of social or walking-out dress. No close ups of badges or insignia. Also by the nature of things, bandsmen are well represented, as are some cloaks, capes, and overcoats as worn in colder weather. Great Britain and Germany have the most numerous examples, but smaller countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands can be seen as well. The range of subjects makes no attempt at being comprehensive, but rather is just what chance presented to the traveling artist during this time. Since color photography was rare back then, this is the next best thing. Recommended.



4. Many thanks to Crowood Press for publishing this book. I was somewhat familiar with Haswell-Miller's work, in a few books on the British Army, and some post card reproductions, but I was unaware of the scope of his work regarding other European armies, pre-1914.
   Thw author's style is appealing to me, and the illustrations were all done from life, during his travels over the years. The British Army, as to be expected, and the German Army are covered in depth, with the French Army a close third, as well as the Austro-Hungarian forces. There are also decent sections on the Belgian, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish Armies. My only real diaappointment was the small section on the Russian Imperial Army, only two plates.
   For those with a serious interest in the full dress of European armies at it's peak, or for any military uniform enthusiast, I recommend this book highly.
   My only complaint is that two plates in the British section were repeated, thus one plate is missing. A publisher's error that is inexcusable.

5 comments about GI Collector's Guide, Vol. 2: U.S. Army European Theater of Operations.

1. I originally encountered this book at a friend's house, the president of the non-profit reenactment group U.S. 2nd Rangers Infantry Battalion of St. Louis, MO (2ndrangers.org). He uses this book for researching items he is interested in, finding out exactly which year items were produced, and for entertainment. He has touted it as one of the best research tools he's found for WWII reenacting.
   
   After I flipped through it and attended WWII Weekend 2009 at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis I decided to start a business recreating the paper products from WWII for reenactors and the public. This book is absolutely invaluable in that respect. It has more items than any other book I've seen. It truly is an all in one resource.
   
   If you're a reenactor or WWII aficionado, or have a child or someone else in your life who is interested in WWII this book, and its sister book Volume I, are the perfect purchase. Though the price may be off putting for some you have to realize that the book is full of 100% full color high gloss pages it is beyond worth it.



2. Excellent, a good continuation of Vol. 1 which was also excellent. Great pictures and descriptions. The personal items makes it a hit.



3. I have been collecting WWII militaria and weapons for over 30 years and I value highly reference books on the subject. This book along with Volume 1 are some of the finest books on the subject I have in my library. Also in a time of $100+ for a good specialty book, they are a fantastic bargain. The pictures and subject matter are fantastic quality and the authors coverage of the QM tags and markings of the items are very valuable. This is a heavy book of the best quality materials and should last a lifetime. Buy both volumes of this series and you will not be disappointed!!



4. If you enjoyed Vol. 1, you will like Vol 2 just as much. This volume has a tremendous amount of new "stuff" used by US G.I.s in WW2. A number of harder to find items are covered and pictured. All of the pictures are very well done and the descriptions are informative. I consider this a valuable reference guide for collectors of US GI militaria.



5. This book is an exellent addition of the first volume. This set together
   are the best books about US - equipment and all the things form A - Z around, in the European Theater, of WW2.

5 comments about Detecting the Fakes.

1. This is a beginners book, it's a good starting point if someone is just beginning to get into collecting WW2 German military items. The book needs color pictues and more detail. There are SO many fake items the book doesnt cover, the book needs more deatil. I would recommend for someone just starting out collecting, and who doesnt know anything about identifying fakes.



2. Covers basic information on detecting fakes. If the pictures were in colour it would help a lot more as some fakes have different colours. Overall an alright book for beginners. There are a lot more higher quality fakes out there that this book doesnt cover.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

5 comments about GI Collector's Guide: Army Service Forces Catalog, U.S. Army European Theater of Operations.

1. A great reference guide to items used by the US Army in the European Theater during the Second World War. The photographs are very nicely done, and the information on the weapons, uniform items, and other objects that accompany the photos are also informative and interesting. A great research tool for reenactors, researchers, historians, and anyone interested in military history, especially World War II. The price is still fairly high for these books, but it is justified by the items contained within as well as the excellent photos. I only wish each branch and each belligerent involved in the war could have such a nice book.



2. I collect American military guns of the past and have found this book exceptionally fine in assisting me in selecting accessories for my collection.



3. Many have called this the de facto USGI collectors catalog. It does cover a lot of equipment.. most general issue items are included.
   
   I did not see it as a collectors guide. It does not point out the things that make items unique. It shows a boot. Gives the name, and maybe a picture of the makers mark. Well.. how many companies produced that item? Which company name would be rare and the other common? Is there a stitch or eyelet type that would differentiate an early shoe vs a late shoe? Little of that information is in the book.
   
   Another example are the Handy-Talky radios (BC-611's) there where at least 6 models (A-F) and the circuit components differed dramatically later in the war. This book shows a BC-611, and some other items and then moves on.
   
   The pictures are excellent quality, and the construction of the book is nice and heavy.
   
   But to call it anything more than an introduction to USGI equipment is an overstatement.



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



5. 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!

No comments about Camouflage Uniforms: International Combat Dress 1940-2010.

5 comments about War Baby! The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine, Vol. 1.

1. The book arrived much earlier than expected and in excellent condition. The packaging/packing was incredible and protected the book beyond what I could have imagined. I am incredibly pleased with this seller.



2. Very good book about the creation of the M-1 Carbine. How our country's former manufacturing power came together to build a new weapon. It's too bad we will never be able to do that again.



3. This is a great History summation of the development and production of the US M1- Carbine rifle in World War 2. It is packed full of data on all the manufacturers, plus a good history of the design and development of the gun. There are detailed parts lists, and detailed analysis of each makers production. A good read if you are interested in the history of this aspect of the war. And a necessitiy if you own any of these guns.



4. This is the best and most definative reference work on the m1 carbine bar none. Everyone with an interest in the m1 carbine should have this book.



5. War Baby! is the primary reference book for everything history about the U.S. .30 caliber carbines. The technical reference material is unmatched, anywhere.
   
   The history of how this piece of American history came to be, the prototypes, their testing, the contracts, the stories of each of the manufacturers, U.S. Army Ordnance, WWII developments that iniated changes, records of quantities manufactured, serial number assignments, and on and on.
   
   You don't have to collect carbines to find this book interesting. The history is written so it is thoroughly enjoyable. Might have something to do with Larry having been a school teacher for his career.

No comments about Warman's Civil War Collectibles Identification and Price Guide.