Reviews (4)

Absolutely Wonderful!!!
Gosh, this was a pleasant book to read.The only negative I recall was the lack of detailed information about all of the photographs scattered throughout the book.I admit I was hoping to read a little more about some of the business failures and reasons why some firearms did not go into production.However, we don't need to focus in on the negative when it comes to Mr. Ruger's wonderful life!Other than my desire to want a little more description about the photographs and business dealings, this was an absolutely wonderful book on Mr. Ruger.

If you like Ruger guns, you will love this book!
From the first Standard Auto, to Flatgate Single Six's, Flattop Blackhawks, Hawkeye's, Bearcat's, Model 77s, Redhawks, you name it, it is all in here.I love this book.It is the best book on Ruger firearms that you can buy.

Ruger Wafers Are The Best!
I've never tasted a better wafer. They're so light it's like eating a piece of heaven. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1916-    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Firearms    6. Firearms & Weapons    7. Firearms And Gunsmithing    8. General    9. Gunsmiths    10. History    11. History - General History    12. Ruger Corporation    13. Ruger, William B.,    14. United States    15. Crafts & Hobbies / General    16. Militaria, arms & armour    17. Ordnance, weapons technology    18. Ruger, William B   

Reviews (5)

Great reference
A must own reference text for gun collectors. It is a detailed guide of make, model, caliber and potential value. It has most manufactured firearms from more than 150 years ago from all over the globe.

A 'must' reference for any avid firearms collector
What does the newly updated 16th edition of the classic STANDARD CATALOG OF FIREARMS get you that differs from past editions? There are more model entries, more pricing data, and more photos: over 1,500 pages packed with detail. All prices have been updated for collectible firearms made between 1838 and 2005, over 600 new entries added, and photos over 7,000 firearms packed in - there's even a 16-page color section on museum-quality antique firearms from around the world. With its serial number lists to help avoid fakes, this 16th edition is a 'must' reference for any avid firearms collector.
Seems very detailed.
The book is very detailed. The loads of pictures helped me confirm the items were properly identified.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. Firearms And Gunsmithing    7. Militaria, arms & armour    8. Reference works    9. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Reviews (4)

Wow...A Great Coffee Table Book for Any Firearms History Buff
Just the pictures in this huge volume are enough to make it worth thumbing through, but the written information is tremendous and the author manages to cover all connections to Winchesters' Fathers, including John M Browning, my personal hero (other than my Father, Uncle, Grandfather and all other veterans of WWII and Korea).Probably not all the information on Winchester firearms and ammo history but all that I can absorb and still have a social life.

Eye Candy
Beautiful to look at. Not heavy in the way of company or technical history, but what a great coffee table book. Costly - if you can find it - but wow!

Another winner from R.L. Wilson
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Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. Firearms And Gunsmithing    6. General    7. History    8. Shooting    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Winchester rifle    11. Antiques & Collectibles / Firearms & Weapons    12. Militaria, arms & armour    13. USA    14. Weapons & equipment   

Reviews (2)

Great Place to Start
I first bought this book about 15 years ago.It made a huge impression on me then when I didn't know much about uniforms, and it is still a great resource today now that I am a uniform collector.The painted images of soldiers of all the major armies of World War II are vivid and interesting.The text is informative and thorough.Of particular use are charts that detail rank insignia for all the various armies.
Well-organized and beautifully illustrated reference work
This is the DEFINITIVE reference book on the uniforms of WWII.Mollo carefully explains his terms and illustrates them in this handy, well-organized work.Individual illustrations of patches, epaulets andweapons are complemented by contemporary, hand-colored photographs of awide variety of uniforms.Excellent! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Armed Forces    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Insignia    6. Military    7. Military - Uniforms    8. Military uniforms    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. Non-Classifiable    11. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. Shooting    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Militaria, arms & armour    8. Small firearms, guns & other equipment    9. Yearbooks, annuals, almanacs   

Reviews (4)

Buy it or you'll be sorry!
This book contains more info than one could even imagine! In fact, that's all I'm going to say becuase it would take to long for me to even give you even a basic idea! I will tell you this: If you don't have this book in your library then you are missing out big time!!!!! Oh, by the way, the illustrations are awesome too!!!! Amazing detail
I'm not really into sword collecting, but I nonetheless found An excellent piece of work!
The Connoisseur's Book is exceptionally detailed and not to mention very aesthetically pleasing. The book itself has the feel and look of a high-quality encyclopedia. As should be expected, the information inside is very well detailed. It is an excellent book and I very strongly recommend it, particularly if you are ready to start deeper in-depth studies of Nihonto. For a novice, I would probably suggest the books by Sato and Yumoto. But this is what I feel would be a step beyond those.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Asia - Japan    3. Firearms & Weapons    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Japan    7. Militaria, arms & armour   

Reviews (4)

Incomplete and dry
As a collector of U.S. military rifles, I decided Collectors Must Have Book
I found this book to be just what I was looking for in a Reference/History book.Bruce Canfield must have had the average military collector in mind when he wrote this work. He has updated the original text and the clarityof the pictures is excellent.It has helped answer some of the questionsthat I had about my M1 Garand.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR COLLECTORS.

Excellent reference book
If you own an M1 or are thinking of buying an M1 either Garand style or a carbine you NEED this book. As a collector of military rifles this book paid for itself the first weekend I had it. A musthave for U.S. militaryweapons collectors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Personal & Practical Guides    2. Reference    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. History    5. Militaria, arms & armour    6. Weapons & equipment   

Reviews (10)

Flayderman's Guide
I am an ardent collector of antique firearms.Flayderman's is an absolutely essential resource with detailed information about practically every firearm ever produced in early America.There simply is nothing comparable.

Flayderman's Guide
I am a CW buff, and often would look at items listed on the various sites, not knowing the details.Now I can be sure I know the model, date of mfg, value.

Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values
One may disagree with some of the prices given but if a novice collector bought only one book, this should be it for the wealth of information found within its almost 700 pages of photos and text. Whether your area of interest is Civil War arms, Indian guns, air and spring guns, or even whaling guns you'll find this book helpful. My only criticism is the arrangement of the index and that was the responsibililty of the publisher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Catalogs    6. Collectors and collecting    7. Firearms    8. Firearms & Weapons    9. Firearms And Gunsmithing    10. Reference - Price Guides    11. Shooting    12. United States    13. Militaria, arms & armour    14. Small firearms, guns & other equipment    15. USA   

Reviews (19)

Greatest swordsmith?
This is the book which introduce many people outside Japan to understand modern Japanese sword making. It also helped Yoshindo Yoshihara to become one of the most recogniseble face amongst swordmakers in the West. Even so one must point out that although Yoshindo is very highly ranked in Japan he is by no means the finest swordmaker as we speak. His brother Shoji Yoshihara (who appeared in the Last Samurai)is considered more skillful and he is not alone amongst swordsmiths. However one cannot underestimate the contribution the author and Yoshindo san has made for swords by being involved in this wonderful publication.

Yoshindo Yoshihara Sensei
I known this swordsmith in Turin - Italy (April 2005): will showcase some of the phases inherent in the forging of a traditional katana (Japanese sword) using a forge built for the occasion by the master himself.
just what i was looking for
a great book in english not only for the old blade collector: it gives you a detailed idea of the stages involved in the creation of a nihonto and also takes a picture of moder days swordsmiths. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Asian    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Japan    6. Metal Arts And Crafts    7. Metal Work    8. Military Science    9. Swords    10. Base metal & ironworking    11. Militaria, arms & armour   

Reviews (8)

Smith & Wesson Info
A must have for anyone interested in Smith & Wesson revolvers. Well put together and easy to find the information you are looking for. I can't believe how much information is in this book. I should have bought this years ago.

Smith and Wesson Collectors
If you collect Smith and Wessons you havee to own this book.No other book on Smith's is even close.

overrated
I have a room full of gun books, and I didn't find anything new in this one.I bought this because it was recomended to me for finding dates of manufacture.It falls short.There are many books on other brands that give "year of manufacture" by serial number.Supica says this cannot be done with older Smith & Wessons, yet if you send a serial number to S&W, they can tell you when your gun left the factory.Somebody other than Supica has this info and I'm looking for that book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Firearms & Weapons    3. Firearms And Gunsmithing    4. Reference - Price Guides    5. Shooting    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Militaria, arms & armour    9. Reference works    10. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Reviews (3)

Standard Catalog of Military Firearms
I was looking for a comprehensive guide specific to Military Firearms in order to identify and appraise weaponry. I found that unlike other price guides this one offered a higher degree of credibility due to it's titles and composition. I felt it was a great value for the price.

Standard Catalog Of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference G
Good reference book.Has nice comments on some of the more significant models.Not quite as inclusive as I would like but still very good.

GET IT!!!!
If are a milsurp collector and you want a reference book on condition and price of guns, this book is a MUST have! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. Firearms And Gunsmithing    6. Military    7. Military Science    8. Personal Weapons (Military Science)    9. Militaria, arms & armour    10. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

EVERYBODY CAN LEARN ABOUT JAPANESE STEEL WITH THIS BOOK
IF YOU COLLECT JAPANESE SWORDS YOU MUST HAVE THIS EXCELLEBT BOOK

The Japanese Sword; K.Sato
An excellent introductory book.Pictures were of high quality which was surprising since they were not digital quality.
A standard in any nihonto library!
The pictures in this book are stunning! A real tribute to the sword and their beauty. This is a great book for someone who is just beginning their study in nihonto, or for anyone who enjoys the awesome creations that man has achived, before the days of electricty and the power tool!Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Asia - Japan    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. General    7. History - General History    8. Japan    9. Militaria, arms & armour   

Reviews (9)

Great book for re-enactors or beginners
This book is very useful for me. I started interesting about WWII items about 2 months ago. In this book are all pages in color. Great for someone who begin interesting about WWII stuff. I highly recommend you this book. The book is about 50% cheaper here on Amazon then in my country - Czech republic.

Fat, Packed, loaded
Want to know anything about the weapons, uniforms and equipment of world war two GIs in Europe, GET THIS BOOK. It is all here.
Outstanding Reference Guide
For the "Newbie" or the "Veteran" collector.This is a wonderful reference showing great color pictures of nearly every piece of U.S. Military uniform and equipment.The great thing about this guide is it explains and shows the differences in a particular piece comparing it to later issues of the same piece of equipment.Lists items with pictures and dates of issue and use.This book is invaluable in preventing a person for buying an item that maybe represented as original or from a particular year's production when it may in fact be a later version. I highly recommend this book. Oh yeah...for those modelers that have trouble determining what colors to paint uniform items on their soldiers..this book is a godsend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - Pictorial    5. Military - World War II    6. History / Military / World War II    7. Militaria, arms & armour    8. USA    9. Uniforms & insignia   

Reviews (9)

Good WWII Uniform Reference
For anyone needing a good, general, reference to German uniforms - complete with pictures, this one will definitely work. I can see this being extremely useful for reactors; particularly for those doing later war impressions.
problem solution for modeler
if you are a modeler,this book could give you away out for details colour in german soldier uniform. and most of all not only the uniform but also like straps and buckles there are explanation about the color ( not like we thought that it always painted in metal colour).
GERMAN SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR TWO
Nice book. Big pictures with detail of other items such as canteens, pistol belts, suspenders, boots, and pouches. Perfect for the military modeler. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computers    2. Data Modeling & Design    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - World War II    7. European history: Second World War    8. Germany    9. History / Military / World War II    10. Second World War, 1939-1945    11. Uniforms & insignia   

Reviews (7)

Not for the ill-informed
I though the pictures in this book were outstanding.The text that goes with them is somewhat brief however, and I would not recomend this particular book unless you have a solid base knowledge of SS Uniforms in general.It expects you to know the basics.But if you are farmiliar with SS Uniforms, then by all means this is a highly recomended addition to your collection.

Camouflage Uniforms of the Waffen-SS : A Photographic Refere
It's ok, good pictures, but.....there is a better book out there and it's half the price.This is not a complete book of it but a good base to start for information.

The Best Book Around
If you love this stuff, this book is a must.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Camouflage    4. General    5. History    6. Military    7. Military - World War II    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Uniforms    10. Waffen-SS    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Uniforms & insignia   

Reviews (8)

Unique work
This book contains a wealth of knowledge about medieval armour and the effects of weapons. The pictures are fantastic, skeletons buried in their armour, rarely does one get to see how armour was actually worn. The breakdowns and detail of actual armour construction is immaculate and enables any competant armourer to reproduce the examples shown. The detail from an archeologist's point of view was a little too in depth for my interest but if you are that way inclined then great. Only issue I have is the "analysis" of some of the wounds seen, Mr. Thordeman seems to imply that this battle was unusual in some way, that the combatants fought with unusual fury. He sites one incident of one combatant having both legs severed by a single blow as an indication of some great fury and intensity. I only disagree as there are very few examples of medieval battle wound pathology to compare the Wisby corpses. It seems that the author is looking at the battle from too detached a viewpoint, forgetting that killing was the purpose of the people who showed up to battle that day. This is a small detail but supposition as to the mental states of combatants, by someone who has no first hand experience of battle is unproductive. Otherwise a great book.

A true masterpiece!
This book has a very special meaning to me since I'm from the town of Wisby(nowdays spelled Visby). Born and raised on the island Gotland and lived most of my life thete. I'v built several of these coats of armour and so far everyone I've tried on have been of satisfatcion. The book is so far the best resource book I've ever found. I have for a long time tried to find the first edition, but IF you can find it somewhere it's incredibly expensive. So jus imagine my joy when I saw there was a reissue! And very soon I'm going to be proud owner of this masterpiece... A true masterpiece!
This book has a very special meaning to me since I'm from the town of Wisby(nowdays spelled Visby). Born and raised on the island Gotland and lived most of my life thete. I'v built several of these coats of armour and so far everyone I've tried on have been of satisfatcion. The book is so far the best resource book I've ever found. I have for a long time tried to find the first edition, but IF you can find it somewhere it's incredibly expensive. So jus imagine my joy when I saw there was a reissue! And very soon I'm going to be proud owner of this masterpiece...Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. History    4. History / Medieval    5. History / Military / Weapons    6. History: World    7. Medieval    8. Military - Weapons    9. World - General    10. Arms and armor    11. Arms and armor, Scandinavian    12. Battles & campaigns    13. European history: c 500 to c 1500    14. Excavations (Archaeology)    15. Medieval European archaeology    16. Militaria, arms & armour    17. Northern Europe, Scandinavia    18. Sweden    19. Visby    20. Visby, Battle of, 1361    21. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Uniforms    4. USA    5. Uniforms & insignia   

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Firearms & Weapons    3. Firearms And Gunsmithing    4. Shooting    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Militaria, arms & armour    8. Small firearms, guns & other equipment    9. Yearbooks, annuals, almanacs   

Reviews (9)

Excellent compliment to Wilson's "The Books of Colt Firearms"
Perfect companion for Wilson's masterwork "The Book of Colt Fireams", now out-of-print and scarce to obtain. We do have one copy in stock. Kindly search our Amazon storefront [exeterbooks] or do an Amazon search on ISBN: 0962594377. Our copy is the even rarer AUTOGRAPHED Limited Edition of 500, numbered (#95) and SIGNED by THE Colt authority, R. L. Wilson. A beauty of a book.

Surprised at the profusive praise
I bought this book sight unseen based on my interest in the subject matter and from seeing other offerings of RL Wilson and liking them.First off, this book hasn't been updated since it was produced in the late 80s.Lots has changed since that time.First off, I need to claim my biases.When it comes to Colt I am primarily interested in Single Action Armies, 1911s, and the Python/Diamonbacks.That said I couldn't believe how little photography was devoted to the 1911.By far the most numerous of Colts ever made due to WWI and II production.There were very few photos of standard production 1911s and those that were there were of well used and weatherbeaten ones.There were more of the decorative/unique 1911s.I am fortunate enough to live near a collection of Frank Phillip's (Petroleum) Colt's in the museum in Bartlesville, OK.I couldn't believe Wilson would not photograph their Colts.They're pristine, covering every major variant. The Peacemaker was given fair coverage. The Python and Diamondback were given very little coverage.At the time the Diamondback was current production and more blah in his opinion, I am sure.Looking back on it, it was a classic since it was the last affordable, working man's revolver made by Colt.Now, to me, it marks the end of an epoch.Yes, Colt still makes Pythons but they are so expensive, hard to find and production is so limited they are not hardly worth talking about anymore.If you are into the early guns primarily this is probably a great book.Based on my interests this book was a bit of a disappointment.

Colt Collector
This is the book if you collect Colts.It has all the early serial numbers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Colt firearms    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. General    6. History    7. Sale Adult - Antiques / Collectables    8. Shooting    9. Manufacturing industries    10. Militaria, arms & armour    11. Sale Books   

Reviews (16)

An utterly worthless book
An utterly worthless book that supposes one should indoctrinate themselves with ideas stemming from armed warfare and combat and support the hypocritical mentality of the military industrial complex in its complicity in sending, dumb, naive, young soldiers to die for "glory and the fatherland".This is mere propaganda that serves only patriotism, which is a fetid form of hero worship and false ideology.There is no point in dying for the state, and getting cheap medals and decorations for losing one's body parts.I'd like to see a book that shows war as it truly is, brutal and ugly, a complete waste of the human potential.

Where do such men come from?
This is a classic coffee table book.It's too large to fit on your book shelves but just right to rest on your coffee table.And, since it includes 117 separate and distinct stories of living men who won the Medal of Honor, you can pick it up, read a page or two, then put it down and come back to it later without skipping a beat.Best of all, the stories are interesting enough that your friends will enjoy scanning the book while you're off making the margaritas.
Turning the pages of this book is visiting a sacred place
I always feel reverence for the service given by the veterans of our armed forces.For me, it matters little what they did because they spent a portion of their life supporting the defense of our freedom.Everyone in the military matters.
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Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. Biography    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Medal of Honor    6. Military    7. Military - General    8. Military - United States    9. Military - Veterans    10. United States    11. Biography & Autobiography / Military    12. Biography: general    13. HISTORY / Military / General    14. Honours & decorations    15. Other warfare & defence issues    16. USA    17. Uniforms & insignia