Value of set of SRS books

[RBruce]

How much is a complete set of SRS books worth in excellent condition?

Information

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[Mike D]

Recently, Volumes 1-4 were sold seperately on fleabay. The combined total was in the neighborhood of $800. I believe Vol. 4 went for around $300.

A year and a half ago or so I bought Vol. 1 for about $30-40 and Vol. 2 for about $60 on fleabay. Bought Vol. 4 (1999 ed.) on Amazon or something for maybe $100-120, can't remember.

Then, maybe six months ago I snagged all four off of fleabay for just under $50, shipped! It was a "buy it now".

They are not cheap.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

How much is a complete set of SRS books worth in excellent condition?

OK, not being a garand guy, what is SRS.

[Tom Trevor]

SRS is the Springfield Research Service started by mr. frank Mallory and for years scoured National Archive and other government services for the serial mumbers of military weapons of all types Trapdoors , Krags, 1903s, M1s. Pistols such as Colts, Smith and Wessons from civil war service to the 70s.
The information was first printed in a series of books over several years and later on line. The on-line service was discontinued due to mis-use of the data. So now the data can be obtained by membership in SRS or someone having the complete book sets being kind enough to take their own time to look up the data and post it . And example can be found lower on the 03 section we are on here. Hope this helps.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Thanks Tom

[Johnny Peppers]

It was questionable as to how the information was being mis-used when all it showed was the date and 8 or 10 letters of information. If you found a hit you could then order the information and it might extend to several pages of information.

[Rick the Librarian]

IIRC, the problem was that the results were being used as an "advertising tool" in several gun ads - or at least that's what I heard.

[Johnny Peppers]

Some of the information found in the SRS records was contributed by fellow collectors, and I think that was the problem many had when the information was removed from the internet. There were also threats to anyone that used the information.
I found this interesting:

Facts cannot be copyrighted. However, the creative selection, coordination and arrangement of information and materials forming a database or compilation may be protected by copyright. Note, however, that the copyright protection only extends to the creative aspect, not to the facts contained in the database or compilation.

[Mike Haas]

Some of the information found in the SRS records was contributed by fellow collectors, and I think that was the problem many had when the information was removed from the internet. There were also threats to anyone that used the information.
I found this interesting:

Facts cannot be copyrighted. However, the creative selection, coordination and arrangement of information and materials forming a database or compilation may be protected by copyright. Note, however, that the copyright protection only extends to the creative aspect, not to the facts contained in the database or compilation.

If I have acess to a published book, my understanding is that the information in the publication can be quoted with attribution to the author and the Book Title. Often-times, attribution is given in "Short-Hand" such as seen on our various forums. "SRS" herein is generally recognized as being Springfield Research Services/s.

I can understand someone wanting to profit from thier efforts but once they publish and sell the results in Book Form (perhaps even the internet) then the information becomes the property of the 'new owner' of the information to use as he wishs..providing he gives the attribution to the source of such published information.

An example would be if I own a "SRS" book and I find a Rifle listed in the book. I bought and paid for the Book and therefore I should be able to quote from that book the information contained therein. That doesn't mean that I can re-produce the actual page from the Book....unless...the copyright has expired.

IMO if in fact I had purchased from SRS the detailed research information on a specific rifle and then later chose to utilize that information to sell such Rifle advertising it with such SRS information I would do so. I'd consider that as part of my investment in the Rifle that I have a right to recoup upon sale.

Touchy subject indeed!!

[Emri]

I found this interesting:

Facts cannot be copyrighted. However, the creative selection, coordination and arrangement of information and materials forming a database or compilation may be protected by copyright. Note, however, that the copyright protection only extends to the creative aspect, not to the facts contained in the database or compilation.

"Go look it up for yourself, or pay me for my time."

All the info was gleaned from the National Archives. They DO NOT give this info away for free. Well, what I mean is: You have to go there and ask for what you want to look at. Then it is given to you to peruse at your leisure. If you want to copy a page for your records, they make you pay for it. EVERY page you want. Plus travel expenditures, a place to stay while there, etc...

It takes a lot of time to look through papers and try to find what you want. I have been there and done that. Not at the National Archives, but looking through family papers & stuff elsewhere.

I have no problem with them asking a fee for information: But I did like it when you could find out easily if they had any info at all on a particular firearm, before submitting any money up-front for a "letter".

FWIW,

Emri