Book Opion

[EddieB]

I am looking at "Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide". Looks like a good book. Any opions?

Information

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[Aragorn243]

I don't leave the house without it. I started out knowing very little about collecting military rifles. No idea on value, etc. This book helps tremendously with that. It gives a rough price range of values based on condition and usually also includes the same for the bayonet that goes with them. The vast majority of rifles you will encounter are included in this volume. If you are a general collector, this book is going to work well for you. If you are going to be a more specialized collector, you may want something additional. It does break down Garands by manufacturer for instance but may not include every variation possible, same with German and Japanese rifles. It does go into some detail concerning all matching numbers, whether the mum is present or not, things like that. I have also encountered a few issues of missing rifles. Some I later found in the Mauser section under Germany when the rifle was for a smaller nation.

It's pros far outweigh the few cons. My general rule of thumb is that I will simply not purchase a rifle if it does not fit within the guidelines of this book unless I know for a fact based on personal knowledge that the rifles are currently going for higher. Something that comes into play more often now because my volume is now 8 years old. I need a new one badly but, I'm still getting guns at these older prices.

It also includes all major handgun, machine gun, etc types as well.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I have the latest version (available @ Amazon). Unlike like Aragorn I have mistakenly left home without it and have passed on something I should not have for lack of having the book at hand. I have also used it as a negotiating tool to help negotiate down to a reasonable price. Being a cautious buyer the price guide listings Poor to Excellent aids in establishing a fair price and comfort level for spending my hard earned $. Very good foundation to establish milsurps library upon.

[EddieB]

Thanks Hooked on History,

Is version 8 the latest version? Do you know if there is a plan for another version in the near future?

Hopefully I keep getting positive feed back, so far looks like something I will want to purchase.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I checked my two version 7 published 2013 version 8 published 2016.
If you interests become more specific the Ball Mauser books are fantastic as are many of the model specific books.

[EddieB]

I checked my two version 7 published 2013 version 8 published 2016.
If you interests become more specific the Ball Mauser books are fantastic as are many of the model specific books.

Thanks for checking. Looks like purchasing now would be fine and it would be at least a year or 2 before an update.

I seem to have gotten stuck on Swiss rifles. Know of any good books specifically for Swiss rifles?
I was looking at Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles 1869 to 1958, 2nd edition by Joe Poyer

[Aragorn243]

Hey, I'm using volume 5 and still negotiating prices out of it. You'll be fine for a long while with version 8.

That's the best Swiss rifle book for cheap money I'm aware of. Should have everything you need to know in it.

[EddieB]

Hey, I'm using volume 5 and still negotiating prices out of it. You'll be fine for a long while with version 8.

That's the best Swiss rifle book for cheap money I'm aware of. Should have everything you need to know in it.

Good news on both fronts. Thanks for the feedback.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Hey, I'm using volume 5 and still negotiating prices out of it. You'll be fine for a long while with version 8.

Good idea. I might see if I can locate a version 5 to negotiate from. Today you simply have to have a counter to the "they are listed on Gunbroker for $$$$$" and the Standard Catalog has price ranges right there in black and white. Much simpler than trying to explain the difference between "listed" and "sold for" along with the added cost of shipping transfer fees etc.... The prices may be a bit high for my zip code but you can always haggle on condition.

[Aragorn243]

I honestly didn't see a problem with volume 5 until just this past year. Prices seemed to be right in line with it on most things but then all of a sudden, everything jumped. I think it was early last summer when I was negotiating an Indian 308 Enfield and used the book and then went home and checked gunbroker actual sales. I got a real good deal on that one. Nagants have skyrocketed also along with Arisakas, K98's, etc. I think many rifles are still pretty close but a lot of WWII stuff in particular saw a sharp rise.