Books for firearm collecting??

[ggent001]

hello. I would like to start collecting pistols and rifles from WW2. Any good suggestions of books for identifying and pricing WW2 weapons? I am just starting out.
Thanks a bunch,
Geoff

[Bob in OH]

I suggest you specialize for starters and then branch out. You can't believe the subtlety, nuance, and minutia in every area of collecting.

Lugers? K98s? P.38s? Arisakas? Nambu? Mosins? Carcano? Choose a starting point then locate a mentor. Books are good as is a weapon in one's hand to get started. The learning really goes up when you field strip a gun for the first time.

Also, expect to get burned a time or two... it's part of the tuition fee.

[DasRick]

a rough guide to get u started is the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide. just a estimate guide, lots of info in a fairly inexpensive book. best place to find good firearm books is the flea markets. old firearm books are the best. lots of lost info and knowledge. hope that helps

[jiipee76]

My starter book was AJR Cormacks - German Small Arms.It is good startup book for german ww2 weapons.

[MauserKar98k]

Standard Catalog of Military Firearms is a great resource.

[Douglas Jr.]

This link has a few tips about WWII firearms' books:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtop...?f=71&t=112554

Douglas

[Jason]

Recomended Reading:

Axis Pistols Vol II ,Jan C. Still

Third Reich Lugers Vol III, Jan C. Still

Backbone of the Wehrmacht, Richard D. Law

Military Firearms 4th Edition, Phillip Peterson (very good P.38 section)

Mauser Military Rifles of the World 4th edition, Robert W. D. Ball

Small Arms of the World 12th edition, Edward Clinton Ezell

German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945 Vol 1-4 ,Whittington

Cheers,
Jason

[ggent001]

Thanksa bunch guys!!

[tracman]

hello. I would like to start collecting pistols and rifles from WW2. Any good suggestions of books for identifying and pricing WW2 weapons? I am just starting out.
Thanks a bunch,
Geoff

Well, if I were to pick one book with which to get started, it would be the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide, currently in its 5th edition. It will do very well to very broadly identify WW2 firearms and their current prices.

What it won't do, obviously, is provide you with the sort of detailed guidance that will allow you to detect a truly original firearm versus one that has been rebuilt, refinished, or rehashed. For that, you'll need to find specialized publications pertaining to the specific firearms you wish to collect, and/or join a club. Be aware, though, that many books (even high priced ones) sometimes have pretty serious errors in them, and the Internet can be your friend in finding specific fora where people trade pictures, ideas, and their research. The titles of books and links provided by other repliers to your query are all excellent places to start, and flea markets, yard sales, used book stores, and gun shows can be great places to find reference material. Good luck, and let us know what you ultimately catches your fancy!!

[pitts duncan]

hello. I would like to start collecting pistols and rifles from WW2. Any good suggestions of books for identifying and pricing WW2 weapons? I am just starting out.
Thanks a bunch,
Geoff

my best advice i received was buy all the books and reference material first. then the guns. its a sad state but true that many fakes and forgeries and outright reproductions are out there like giant bear traps waiting for the newbee to step on.