Mauser Military Rifles of the World [Hardcover]

Robert W.D. Ball (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

The ultimate Mauser military rifle reference, this superior guide is packed with more models, all-color photos and Mauser history is tailored to the interests and needs of firearms collectors. With more than 50 countries represented, 75 years of Mauser military rifle production is meticulously cataloged with descriptions, historical details, model specifications and markings, for easy identification by collectors. "Mauser Military Rifles of the World, 4th Edition" features: 1,300+ compelling color photos, including new, never-before-published photos of very rare Mausers, helpful in measuring collectibility; data about how and where the rifles were employed in conflict; and, alphabetical format gives readers easy access to information. Historical data, coupled with detailed color photos make this guide educational and entertaining!

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert W. D. Ball is an acknowledged authority on antique military rifles and memorabilia. He has authored a dozen books and travels the world in search of items to add to his collection. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: Krause Pubns Inc; Edition Unstated edition (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873413954
• ISBN-13: 978-0873413954
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mauser Collector's bible, April 21, 2001

By 

Frederico Alexandroni - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mauser Military Rifles of the World (Mauser Military Rifles of the World, 2nd ed) (Hardcover)

This book was written to give the collector an overall review of all models and countries where the Mauser military rifles were used. A short history of the countries and of each individual model gives the researcher a fine source of information. Based on the chapter covering my own country (Brazil), I can say that Mr. Ball has made a very good job in writting this book. It is not a book to read from the beginning to the end, but a research source in which you will find a good amount of information before you buy a rifle or to help you catalog your already purchased one. It has helped me a lot (Brazil, alone, has 13 different models!).

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Second edition adds depth to the subject, August 28, 2000

By 

Kevin Michalowski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mauser Military Rifles of the World (Mauser Military Rifles of the World, 2nd ed) (Hardcover)

Bob Ball's second edition of Mauser Military Rifles of the World should provide Mauser collectors or enthusiasts with plenty of new and interesting information about this ubiquitous rifle. I greatly enjoyed the photos, they are much better than anything currently out there. The highlight of the book is it's alphabetical listing by nation; no searching for model numbers or years. Finding a rifle is a simple matter of knowing where, roughly, your Mauser came from. I particularly enjoyed the color section. While there was some duplication in the book, it was nothing so terrible as to detract from the overall feel and look of the volume. I found the book to be a good value and a welcome addition to my library. If you like Mausers you will enjoy this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pictoral Reference, June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mauser Military Rifles of the World (Hardcover)

Ball picks up where Olson stopped. A brief discourse on the user nation's history is provided prior to discussing the rifles themselves. Not given to a revisionist historical perspective, he nicely summarizes the nation's development and its adoption of the Mauser.

The author then launches into a discussion on the characteristics of the various individual models of Mausers the respective country issued to its troops and supplements the text with excellant photos not only of the rifles but of troops themselves.

His final chapter, "Mauser Curiosa", is all too brief and Ball glosses over unusual developments or prototypes. The WWI German approach to a trench rifle is unlike those seen at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site (See photos in Brophy) or on display at the Imperial War Museum in London. Admittingly, an entire book could be devoted to the odds and ends comprising the "curiosa" chapter.

With its sewn bound heavy stock glossy paper, the physical quality of the hardbound book is good. However, some threads on my copy of this sewn bound book were not properly trimmed. As an excellant companion to Ludwig Olson's, "Mauser Bolt Rifles", any Mauser enthusiast would find it a worthy addition to their library.