Guns Books

I loved the artistry of firarms engraving displayed within.

I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates this art form.

This book gives a wealth of information on Britiish gunmakers. It is an outstanding reference guide, and it reflects a tremendous amount of research by the author. Even if you never read it, it sure look impresseive on the shelf. Jim Garrett

It is hard to imagine how a serious collector of antique British Military firearms could bear to be without this invaluable publication. Ditto for those others with any interest in the history of this subject and period.

Blackmore manages to produce a narrative that is both engaging and informative.

There is plenty of background on the development of the British Military Ordnance system combined with full data on individual weapons , their evolution and how they may be identified.

The work is copiously illustrated with photographs of original weapons held by the Armouries of The Tower of London and includes appendices which identify barrel,lock and stock marks.

The late Mr Blackmore spent 10 years on his researches and his dedication has resulted in the production of a book which has become a standard and invaluable reference point.

Although now out of print, the work merits any inconvenience which the reader may have to suffer to obtain a second hand copy.

This purports to be a study of the machine gun in the U.S. Army. It isn't at all. It is a study of how organizations adapt to technology, and the difficulties of the U.S. Army in adjusting to the machine gun are repeated endlessly as organizations try to come to grips with new technology. It is a very useful book. The author does not hammer home the conclusions, but each misstep in adopting technology is carefully described. I am sorry to see it unavailable. It deserves a very wide reading and ought be in the library of all concerned with adopting computers in their organizations. John Lederer

This is truly one of my favorite William B. Secrest books. I say this simply because I have never before heard of any of the characters in the book. All of them were scoundrels but fascinating to read about nonetheless. Mr. Secrest filled the book with wonderful, never before told tales set in old California. A great way to discover the past. Hard to put down, a great read.

The story of California's railway guns involves two separate and distinct elements. The first is the development of the railway gun itself. The second is the provision of coastal defenses for the City of Los Angeles. When developing the history of the railway guns the details which would be of interest only to an ordnance engineer
have been omitted. There is a U. S. Army publication now out of print, in two t volumes, containing over 1000 pages which covers this aspect in detail. The history of the defenses of Los Angeles, where the railway guns were stationed, must cover the armament installed at Fort MacArthur for the characteristics of this armament led to the provision of the two railway guns.

Unfortunately photographs of the California railway guns out on the main line railroad tracks do not seem to exist. The railway guns crossed the continent during 1925 and 1930. From Fort MacArthur they ventured out to the north during 1934 and to the south during 1937. When the new Los Angeles Union Station was opened during 1939 with a parade of motive power, one of the railway guns appeared hauled by a Southern Pacific cab-forward 4-8-8-2. A photograph was taken which shows both the gun and the locomotive. This photograph is reproduced herein.

The railway guns were fitting companions to the enormous steam locomotives which ended the age of ponderous machinery whose weight was measured in hundreds of tons. 1998 paper edition, 8 1/2 x 11, 88 pages, numerous illustrations, maps and plans & drawings.

Jack Bilbo was never actually a "real person." In fact, "Jack Bilbo" was the pseudonym for Hugo Bausch, a German born, outside con-artist. He wrote this book claiming to be one of Al Capone's hitmen; when in reality, he'd never even been to Chicago or carried a gun. Bausch is probably known as one of the top 15 con-artists....
Just an FYI...
Although, I'm sure most buyers already know this...which explains the high cost of the book and it's value.

The Cassel Series has been a very good source of Military Classics. The quality is generally very good, but this slim volume stands out. It offers some very unique actions between large-gun ships from 1894 (Sino-Japan War), to the latter stages of WWII in the Pacific (Leyte Gulf and the Surigao Battle).

The pace is gripping and the action ablely described by a person who obviously served in the RN in WWII. Even if you are an officiando in naval history you will like these stories and even learn a little. The fate of the Emden is well known, but the similar fate of the HMAS Sydney in nearby waters a quarter century later is less well known.

My personal favourite is the story including the brave little chase of the HMS Glowworn against the Admiral Hipper, reversing course and charging out of her own smokescreen at 38 knots in an attempt to ram the Hipper ranks as one the true heroic acts of a small ship against tremendous odds.

A very good read.

This is an excellent reference at a bargain price!
Well written and the photos are worth the price of the book

I own many of the Kuhnhausen gun books, all are very detailed, easy to understand and well written. I highly recommend these books to anyone who owns firearms!