The German Sniper: 1914-1945 [Hardcover]

Peter R. Senich (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873642236 | ISBN-13: 978-0873642231 | Publication Date: March 1, 1982 | Edition: 1st

The complete story of Germany's sniping arms development through both World Wars. Presents more than 600 photos of Mauser 98s, Selbstladegewehr 41s and 43s, optical sights by Goerz, Zeiss, etc., plus German snipers in action. An exceptional hardcover collector's edition for serious military historians everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The late Peter R. Senich was recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on the history of modern weapon systems and their applications. He was also a leading military historian and the author of nine books on military sniping and small arms.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 468 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; 1st edition (March 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873642236
• ISBN-13: 978-0873642231
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weapons and equipment of the German sniper from WWI to WWII, June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The German Sniper: 1914-1945 (Hardcover)

Author Peter Senich made his reputation as a sniping authority with this book. From its early beginning in the trenches of WWI, Senich describes the equipment, camouflage, weapons and tactics of the German Army. He makes a detailed examination of the rifles and the multitude of scopes, mounting systems for both wars and to a limited extend, supressor systems and infrared sighting units.

Senich does not neglect to provide the combat experience of snipers who fought the Red Army and their observations are invaluable today. However, no comparable account is given for German soldiers who fought the allies on the Western Front.

In an all too brief chapter, Senich also delves into the Soviet sniping experience and his text includes a translation of the role of the sniper in the infantry platoon/company. Unfortunately, he does not address the effectiveness of the Red Army sniper nor the propaganda so thoroughly dismissed by Shore (See, "With British Snipers to the Reich).

While the author acknowledges individuals who assisted him, a historian may be disappointed since the book lacks meaningful references. For a sniping enthusiast, this book is an invaluable resource. A collector of Mauser rifles will find the information and photos in this book very useful in identifying the many variations of German sniper rifles.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Workmanship - The German Sniper Bible!, April 15, 2002

By 

"boothbyak" (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The German Sniper: 1914-1945 (Hardcover)

After owning this book for some time and only glancing through it, I took it upon myself to go through it in detail. Like all of the other books by Mr. Senich, the attention to detail and focus on the technical side of the German weapon systems (and supporting equipment) is second to none. The photography is splendid, the focus on equipment (including serial numbers) is accurate and sharp, and the archival work that must have gone into putting this together (both text and photos) is truly fantastic.

My only critique would be that in a book of this magnitude, a more precise listing of all references and sources be provided so that future historians can use it as a reference or "jump-off" point in their study of german snipers.

That being said, I have looked and found no better book on German sniping. One can only hope that Mr. Senich keeps on publishing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Collectors Bible, December 26, 1999

By 

Gary J. Hirdler (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The German Sniper: 1914-1945 (Hardcover)

Senich's book has become the Bible for advanced collectors around the world. When corresponding with other collectors about any detail relating to German sniper rifles, one need only mention a page number from this book to reach a complete understanding.