Reviews (3)

buy it if your interest is very focused on the model 92
The book justifiably centers on the current flagship of Beretta products, the model 92 and all it's variations. but for a book focused on "modern" beretta firearms it's unfortunate to buy an edition 7 years out of date. This wouldn't be anything to count against the book except that in this instance there has been several interesting new developements. Those somewhat familiar with Beretta firearms should be aware that the Model 8000 series and the model 9000S series as well as the subcompact Tomcat are not featured which might not be overtly stated by it's 1994 publication date. However, the superb coverage of the model 92 including detailed information on proper 9mm cartridges and holsters makes this a good buy if your interest is very focused on the model 92.

Decent reading, but less than one might expect
This volume was preceded by the works of J.B. Wood (1985) and Marco Morin / Robert Held (1980) on Beretta firearms. The prolific US gunwriter Gene Gangarosa, who previously had authored a similar popular monography on the German Walther P 38 pistols, judiciously qualifies his book as a treatment of "modern" Beretta firearms. This title must be taken literally, as a clear indicator of content limitation. The absolutely central part of the book - and ist most valuable one, too - is the extensive in-depth treatise on the Model 92 pistol series and notably the trials and tribulations which, through various stages and retractions, finally led to its acceptance by the US Armed Forces as new service pistol and successor of the venerable Colt .45 Government Mod. 1911 A 1. On 174 pages alone (!), the author retraces and relates the various army and air force trials, the competitors and the maze of brazen incompetence and sham which surrounded these proceedings. Anybody who is interested not just in Beretta pistols, but in modern military handguns and their selection procedures in general, should thoroughly study this treatise, which alone would be be worth the book's price. Gene Gangarossa Does It Again!
This is a very well written and documented book regarding the oldest firearms manufacturing firm in the world.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Beretta automatic pistols    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. Ordnance, weapons technology    7. Weapons & equipment   

Reviews (1)

Knives 2004
As a new knife maker I found this book to be very helpful in visualizing knife design and the different styles.You wont believe the craftsmanship displayed in this book.I would highly recommend this book not only for knife makers but buyers as well. Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. Metal Manufacturing    7. Reference - Price Guides    8. Antiques & Collectables    9. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Subjects:  1. Firearms & Weapons    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - United States    5. Military - Weapons   

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Firearms & Weapons   

Reviews (1)

Directory of knifemakers and examples of current trends.
These books are a compilation of the year's current trends in the custom knifemaking industry.They include a few articles (some of more interest to knife collectors, some to knifemakers), a huge directory of customknifemakers, and page after page of the most beautiful knives you will seeanywhere (regretably, all b&w photos).As a bladesmith, I love theseannuals an inspiration for design, as well as for embelishment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Firearms & Weapons    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Metal Manufacturing   

Reviews (1)

radom
this book didnot have all the information i was looking for , but ennough for me to understand the parts and takedown of the pistol ed marvin ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques & Collectibles / Firearms & Weapons    3. Firearms & Weapons   

Reviews (2)

Suppressed but Corny
This book just passes as average or an OK guide. Educational Material
It's hard to find a good resource book these days. If you want to learn how to make silencers for hunting and just for fun, read this book. It has instructions on how to make from the simplest to the most complex silencer. I give it 5 stars, and it well deserves it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Firearms & Weapons    3. General    4. History    5. History: World    6. Military - Weapons    7. Military Science    8. Reference    9. Silencers (Firearms)    10. Military engineering    11. Small firearms, guns & other equipment    12. Technology / Military Science   

Reviews (7)

AN EXECELLENT BOOK THAT KEEPS YOU UPDATED ON GUNS & AMMO
GUN DIGEST IS AN EXCELLENT PUBLICATION ABOUT GUN &AMMO THAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET TODAY. I HAVE BEEN BUYING THIS BOOK EVERY YEAR SINCE 1980. DUE TO MY PREOCCUPATION I MISSED 1988, 1999 & 2000 EDITIONS WHICH I SHALL ORDER VIA THE INTERNET THROUGH AMAZON.COM. THIS BOOK WAS HELPFUL IN MY CAREER AS IT EXPANDED YOUR KNOWLEDGE MORESO WHEN I AM SO FOND OF HUNTING & SHOOTING.

Better than any magazine
So what if it appears only yearly...Gun Digest is the best periodical firearms publication going and has always been. The monthy magazines don't support scholarly firearms writing...only Gun Digest.

Amazing, but...
The book is a true complete guide to anything that shoots, even the airgun section is great..Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Firearms    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. Firearms And Gunsmithing    7. Reference - Price Guides   

Reviews (2)

Thought it was great if you want to learn some basic info
People who only want to collect artifacts might not like this book since it is not a complete identification guide and does not put monetary values on projectile points.However, if you wish to learn the basic information about what scientific archaeologists have discovered this is a well-written introduction.

Not much here....
This is a very short read. Not including the preface, introduction and appendices in the back (most of which is a list of museums in various states with collections or information you can look at), the content of the book barely takes up 59 pages. And the information is very, very general. She describes the major periods of North American Indian occupation from Paleo to Archaic, Mississipian, Woodland, etc. Each description takes up about 5-8 pages and includes hand-drawn images of a few projectile points, pottery styles, drills, or axe heads associated with that time frame. Frankly, I found the information to be at the level of a freshman 100 level Archaeology research paper. It's good information for a beginner level but hardly worth paying full book price for. It could benefit from maps showing locations of known archaeological sites representative of the times discussed, sketches of dig sites that might show how burial sites were arranged, housing styles and locations and discuss one or two major archaelogical digs for each time period. As it is, I found the information too general and would suggest that someone interested check out your local library for a book that provides more information (and is free). Or continue your search on Amazon! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Physical    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Antiquities    5. Classification    6. Firearms & Weapons    7. Implements    8. Indians of North America    9. Sociology    10. Southern States    11. Stone implements    12. United States - State & Local - General   

Reviews (1)

Wow.
This book is simply one of the best sources for accurate Winchester information I have ever read. The author himself is a wonderful source for knowledge but he also utilizes a number of reliable sources. If you arelooking for history on Winchester Repeating Arms Co. This is the Book. Ifyou are looking to find information on specific Winchester guns this bookis a great start. The author also recommends additional titles for specificmodels of Winchester guns ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. Industries - Manufacturing Industries    6. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Reviews (1)

Great photos
Interesting book by a former east german who focuses on baltic, german and russian museums for photographs and gets pictures different from the usual american and english sources and has many unusual items.As an artillery junkie, I enjoyed it immensely.He has two other books out in German, one on field and fortress artillery which I have seen and looks very interesting and another on 500 years of field, antitank and antiaircraft artillery (my very rough translation) which I have not seen, but which will hopefully be translated soon.(However, I note that they have recently released in Germany all three volumes of Kosar in German, but no English translation seems forthcoming.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Artillery, Coast    3. Firearms & Weapons    4. History    5. Military    6. Military - Naval    7. Military - Weapons    8. Military Science    9. Ordnance, Naval   

Reviews (6)

Imported Military Firearms 1866-1899
Very well documented - good reference on cartridges to get them shooting again!

Gun Report
Part II of this book lists and describes in detail military arms of 17 nations from Argentina to Switzerland, and the entries are well explained when the author says, on page 1, "This book is dedicated to Francis Bannerman (1851-1918), who popularized arms collecting and saved many rare artifacts from the smelter". The arms of each nation are shown in oustanding old drawings and/orphotographs, and described in detail as to action types and cartridges... OldGuns.net
Steve Frey's "Imported Military Firearms 1866-1899" is a wonderful reference on oddball guns of this period, and loaded with tips on their care and repair, and his personal recipes for improvising ammunition for obsolete calibers, even pinfires. I do not recommend or endorse his methods as safe or effective, but point them out as interesting information, such as his indication that .32-20 cases can be the basis to make 8mm Lebel pistol cartridges.....If the gun doesn't have much collector value, and you mainly want to shoot it, then go ahead and read up on polishing and reblueing and that sort of thing. There is a great section on somewhat primitive gunsmithing, refinishing and reloading with really basic equipment. It is useful for the bargain basement bow-wows that most of us cannot resist because they are cheap. With a little practice on these, you can progress to the more sophisticated methods described in the more technical books, and slightly more valuable guns. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques & Collectibles / Firearms & Weapons    3. Firearms    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. Guns    6. History    7. History / Military / Weapons    8. Military - Weapons   

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

Reviews (1)

Directory of knifemakers and examples of current trends.
These books are a compilation of the year's current trends in the custom knifemaking industry.They include a few articles (some of more interest to knife collectors, some to knifemakers), a huge directory of customknifemakers, and page after page of the most beautiful knives you will seeanywhere (regretably, all b&w photos).As a bladesmith, I love theseannuals an inspiration for design, as well as for embelishment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Firearms & Weapons    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Metal Manufacturing    5. Power Tools   

Reviews (3)

Waste of money
Other than proposing to be a knife price guide, this book has no information about knives, other than a very cursory overview, for someone who knows absolutely nothing about knives.The book fails miserably in its attempt to be an informative price guide. The concockted mathematical formula for determining a knife's value is devoid of reality. In the case of certain brands, such as "Case" and "Cattaraugus", the values are so far below real world values that the book is almost entertaining as a jest. Someone who wants to learn about knives and gain a feel for their values would best be served by getting a copy of Levine's 4th Edition. I wish I had read my own review before I purchased this book.

Useful, but still disappointing
The strong suit of this book is the section recounting the histories of dozens of knife manufacturers, as well as the six appendixes, which give detailed identification information and price guidance for Buck Creek, Case, Cattaraugus, Robeson, Remington, Taylor, and Winchester. Good First Knife Collector Guide
This was one of two knife collector books I purchased as a beginning collector/seller.I was glad to see a WR Case & Son, Buck Creek, Cattaraugus, Robeson, Remington, and Winchester pricing guides.Also, goodcommerative price guide and knife history as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. Reference - Price Guides   

Reviews (2)

Nice descriptions but no color photos.
The descriptions and price estimates were helpful. The complete lack of color photos, except for the cover, was an extreme disapointment. The photos ranged from average to poor quality and were of limited value inindentifying artifacts. I feel the book description should have clearlynoted the lack of color photos.

Identification of a Recently Aquired Treasure
One week ago I went to do some house hunting and found something I wasn't looking for.While going through the house I came upon a large collection of Indian Artifacts.I knew almost nothing about them but susspected they were highly valuable.The next day an estate auction was held and I purchased the collection.Upon searching the internet for some information it became obvious what the best source was for identification of my midwest collection, Lar Hothem's book"Indian Artifacts of the Midwest."I purchased the book and was able to quickly identify many of the pieces that I knew nothing about.The book was written so a "layman" like myself could easily understand and identify many of the the basic artifacts.The quality photographs added to the pleasure of my learning.I was very pleased to realize the age, almost 10,000 years, and value of my collection.Thanks to such a thorough and readable source I now find myself hooked on the collecting and identifying of very interesting artfacts left in my area so long ago. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Antiquities    5. Classification    6. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    7. Firearms & Weapons    8. Implements    9. Indians of North America    10. Middle West    11. Projectile points    12. Reference - Price Guides    13. United States - State & Local - General   

Reviews (1)

Almost a great book...
This is one of those books that cries out to be MORE than it is, unfortunately.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Firearms & Weapons    3. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

A worthy sequal to The Complete Bladesmith
This book is a great sequel to The Complete Bladesmith, one of the best works I've read on the subject. It is well written and full of sound, practical information for the experienced bladesmith, including everything from laying out your shop (e.g., lighting, ventilation, tools) to building and using a forge to make battle-worthy blades and works of anachronistic art. Contents include essential information about steels and alloys, compounds and formulas, and weights and measures that you need to successfully complete projects, along with advanced forging techniques, power hammer applications, grinding, heat treating, tempering, hilts, metal and wood finishing, leatherworking and scabbard making, damascus steel (pattern-welding), sword making, spear making, and ax making. There are also excellent chapter on Japanese nonferrous alloys. Mr. Hrisoulas's blade crafting skills are first rate and his writing talents readily convey his knowledge and experience in a way that you can immediately apply to your own work. Very well done.
This book is an indispensable tool for the knifemaker.
The second of three knifemaking books by Jim Hrisoulas.The first book "The Complete Bladesmith", is excellent for the beginner to intermediate forger.This second book is more in-depth, and written for those that need knowledge in the field that will not be found elsewhere.The book is for the intermediate student, to the advanced master of the blade. Again, Jim gives his expertise and knowledge openly to the practitioner, who wants to make knifemaking a serious part of life.For those interested in the production of swords, this book that has something to offer you.This volume covers all aspects of the bladesmithing trade, including the varied techniques and details which can forge, what would otherwise be a plain knife, into a working piece of art.Secrets, tips, tools, and techniques, are spelled out with the help of clear diagrams and explanations.Helpful compound tables, plusformulas for the manufacturing of flux, quenching, and etching mediums, are all included in this comrehensive volume.Jim also introduces the techniques for the creation of damascus steel in this volume.Those interested in the manufacture of damascus steel will also find a source of study, in Jims latest book, "The Pattern-Welded Blade", which is strictly for the advanced forger that desires to create damascus and mosaic patterens, and who has worked through Jims first two books.The books by Jim Hrisoulas are the best written in the field, and a most welcome addition to the forging knifemaker.Nels Nelson ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blacksmithing    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Firearms & Weapons    4. Knives    5. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    6. Metal Manufacturing    7. Metallurgy    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Combat sports & self-defence    11. Metals technology / metallurgy    12. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Firearms And Gunsmithing    3. Shooting    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Reviews (1)

A fine reference for the Peacemaker enthusiast
This pictures alone make this book worthwhile.Very nice color plates with excellent detail.O'Meara doesn't stop with the pictures though.He gives the reader a very well researched history of the Colt company and the development of the Single Action Army.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Collectors and collecting    5. Colt revolver    6. Firearms & Weapons    7. General    8. History    9. Reference - Price Guides    10. Militaria, arms & armour    11. Small firearms, guns & other equipment