Sterling MK 4 with S Serial number

[Lee Enfield]

[QUOTE=Peter Laidler;369914]I did ask Blake at Collector Grade some time ago whether he'd reprint TGOD again and he explained that if he reprinted, say, 500 copies, the problem would be thatwith the book immediately available again, those that wanted one would immediately know that it was available, so wouldn't rush to buy. So it'd just trickle out of the shop while the storeage charges for the books steadily rose upwards. Further, - his words, not mine..... - shooters and collectors are renown for their inability or reluctance to buy reference books. I think the words were '...short arms and deep pockets'.

There would be a case to reprint with substantial paid-in-advance back orders or where there were important corrections to be made (there's not), ...snip...QUOTE]

When I started out into this hobby/addiction/lifestyle choice/disorder (depending on which politician/authority figure/female relative you listen to) I was wisely counselled by (much??) older (and much more experienced) collectors that for every gun you buy, you should also buy a reference book to go with it.

Some of the amazing reference books ( for example the 2 volume set by Interarms as I recall) published during the 1950s and 1960s on the evolution of the cartridge firearm - from the European pinfires & S&W mod 1 through the AK-47, all illustrated with photos of examples...

While Steven's comment is certainly true in my experience, I do know several people who are attempting to complete the "Collector Grade" Library by obtaining ALL of the published works.

Also I noted that the Nelson and Lockhaven "Automatic Arms" series is being republished, which allowed me to obtain a reprint of the "Combat Shotguns" edition (before I obtained an original copy).