I'm considering buying reference material on Enfields. Any comparative feedback out there regarding the work of these authors?
Thanks!
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I'm considering buying reference material on Enfields. Any comparative feedback out there regarding the work of these authors?
Thanks!
B52, Short answer...Skennerton heavily researched the L-E pedigree. Lots of useful and interesting data. Stratton used previously published data and a very extensive poll of collectors to gather data.
Even shorter, Stratton's books were meant to be primers for the new collector.
Both authors printed the very best info available at the time. Through the internet collectors have made some minor corrections and made some interesting finds.
Buy Stratton first, then Skennerton.
Brad
Skennerton's work is THE reference. However, I have both sets!
Would someone knowledgeable please state how many entries Stratton had in his data base? It was generated by responses to his request in the now defunct Lee Enfield Collector's Digest published out of Alaska. This was before email/ internet and everything was done by postal mail. A sample questionaire as included in one LECD issue mailing and respondents were expected to duplicate the form for each LE.Quote:
Originally Posted by bradtx
In my opinion and memory, the survey was flawed in that he expected the correspondent to know what model he had (greater knowledge than most had at the time) and made no provision for identifying conversions, unique markings or receivers with several different serial numbers.
I was suprised that he made no statistical analysis of the data but that lends support to my contention that he did not have sufficient data points to work with.
Sadly he is gone and we may never know the details. My comments are not intended to take away or disparage the service he has provided to the collecting community but rather to put things in perspective.
Buy both. Stratton is more concise Skennerton is more comprehensive. Both give you useful information.
Buy Skennerton and skip Stratton---so to speak.
-----krinko
Buy Skennerton first, collect all the others later.
The two authors' books tend to serve different purposes. Skennerton wrote a history of the Lee-Enfield. Stratton approached the subject from a more technical viewpoint, detailing how various components changed over the years and through various models of rifle.
Both are valuable sources of info to the serious collector. I am privileged in having a signed set of Stratton's books. It is a shame he passed on before his mission was completed. He was going to incorporate all the research on Enfield threads into later editions of his work.
I'ts easy to tell which book a new collector has read when they start refering to their rifle having "third variant sight ears" and "second variant" something else... A total load of hogwash. If they read and understood Skennerton's work, they'd be able to read 95% of rifles from the markings and know where to find the information as to how the piece was supposed to look.
Personally I think the best reference material on the subject is the LOC. (trust the makers to know all the details...) The easiest way to understand/ find what you want in them is to go via Skennerton's books.
You make a valid point. I was suprised that the pattern room collection did not include manufacturing variations until it was explained to me that the collection was expanded based on donations from confiscated Police arms, turn ins and rifles evaluated by the services that had no further use for them. There was no stated intent to collect all manufacturing variations including rebuilds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Son
Son, When talking to Stratton about 'variations'...he didn't like it much either as it seems too binding, but it had something to do with North Cape Publication's scheme.
Brad
quick answer is - you must have the LES by skennerton , but strattons paperbacks are very valuable in many ways , if nothing else they are far more mobile [at gunshows] you really need both ,
particularly if you decide to expand into enfield revolvers or webleys ,
the books and reading save you serious money when seriously collecting , you will save the price of a bad purchase in short order
Stratton's books are shot full of misinformation---we have come a considerable distance since they were published, the corrected edition did not appear, so the books did not advance along with us.
While the experienced can see past the misinformation and fill in the blanks, the hapless noob cannot. So why direct them to it in the first place?
Noob Fantasy #1:
You are standing at a table in the Tulsa Arms Show.
On the table in front of you lies a 1929 Lithgow.
You are checking Stratton to find out why this SMLE is so absolutely blue, when the book says it's supposed to be "oil blackened".
Since you have the focus of your attention and both of your hands on the book, it's no trouble for me to reach past you and snag the rifle---throwing hundred dollar bills at the dealer as I do so.
I have never seen anyone hunting a gunshow with a reference book in hand---you had better have the information in your head and it had better be accurate information, or you will suffer.
So, without sentimental ties to one of the old guard, it's the "Lee Enfield Story" or the newer "Lee Enfield" and every SAIS Pam you can cram into your memory.
-----krinko
Krinko you are absolutely correct.
Stuart.:thup:
Mr. Stratton was contracted by North Cape (Joe Poyer) to write a series of books based on the format and parts drawings/information supplied by Poyer. Stratton taught technical writing at the University of Idaho and was well qualified to research the available literature and write the books filling in around the information supplied by Poyer.
Based on the items in Stratton's collection recently sold at auction, his collection of Enfields was modest with some needing simple repairs/parts. An EAL and a No.1 MkV were the highlights of the collection. His US arms collection was far more impressive which leads me to the conclusion that the Lees were business not a collecting love.
Stratton is OK for a quick overview and does have nice illustrations and it is inexpensive
HOWEVER Skennertons book has been revised and updated several times. (I have all three editions) It'as NOT cheap but you get what you pay for, and in this case the expense is well worth it.
For that matter his other publications are also worth the effort
www.skennerton.com
If you are restoring a bubba job, his Small Arms Identification Series of booklets are worth the effort as they have exploded parts drawings.
Nothing more frustrating when restoring a rifle and the parts you ordered are ONE item short because you didn't have a drawing of all the bits.
Hear Hear. Nothing says noob more than nosing through a book at an arms show, the unscrupulous dealer starts rubbing his hands together with an avaricious gleam in his eyes.Quote:
Originally Posted by krinko
Also I prefer Skenny, bought the books off him and Brian "the budda" and they're local boys so makes you proud to have some local talent about.
The latest Prime Minister of Australia came from down the road also, we must be doing something right, now what the hell happened to me???:lol: