Customer Reviews

Old Gunsights And Rifle Scopes: Identification and Price Guide

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though I own both of Mr. Stroebel's previous books on scopes and mounts, I added this one to my library. It contains much new material, a section of color photos, and combines both previous books into one. This has resulted in a bargain book that should be included in every collector's library.

This guide has all the information that you need to identify the make year and model sight that you have on your rifle. In addition if you want to find out what sight came on one of your old family rifles you can look it up and find out what time was installed at the factory also if their were optional sights. I used this guide to identify what type of peep sight did Winchester install on a model 72 rifle. I found from the guide that there
were several options. My search on the net only showed 1 sight. I recommend this guide to anyone who wants information on old gun. Having the price is also very helpful when trying to find replacements and parts.

Nick Stroebel's excellent book, OLD GUNSIGHTS, recalls an age not so long ago when hunters went into the field with rifles which mounted iron sights instead of the scopes seen universally today. Yes, there was a time BEFORE SCOPES (BS) and real hunters carried real rifles with iron sights.

Although my eyes aren't what they used to be, I still have some of those great, old rifles and one them carries a fabulous-looking dial micrometer sight called a "Vaver." It's rugged, accurate and it was manufactured in Chicago. Mine is mounted on a nicely customized Mauser .30-06.

I couldn't find any information on the Vaver until I studied Stroebel's book which had an article on it. If you're old enough to remember hunting and shooting BS (Before Scopes), you'll find a lot of interesting information in OLD GUNSIGHTS.

It's a valuable reference for shooters and collectors who are interested in the gold, old days. I gave the book five stars.

If you have a copy of Stroebel's earlier release, "OLD RIFLE SCOPES", and if you are not a serious collector of non-scope gunsights, you do not need this book. The gunsights sections are greatly expanded, but the scope section has been condensed, and much of the featured text from the original book has been removed. Also, the scopes section is nearly impossible to quickly navigate, with no page headers telling you what maker you are viewing. I got the distinct impression that the "scopes" section of this book was included merely to enhance the "gunsights" topic, as there are likely more people who collect and/or have an interest in scopes than in gunsights. The 2000 version was far and away a better effort.

Stroebel referred me to his book through an email exchange regarding an auction for a vintage tang sight. At first I was skeptical about the self reference, but this book is a great reference material for the arms collector and restorer. The illustrations are great, and the price information is useful when shopping for that old sight you need. Stroebel is obviously still in the business of trading sights, so his active association with the industry makes this up to date and informative. Nice addition to my gun library.

After finding myself in need of a vintage rifle scope, and trying to evaluate the various auctions on eBay, I finally found this book, in hopes of help. There's not much else in the book market to compare it to. Except for Nick's other book, out- of-print (and expensive when found!) "Old Rifle Scopes". I hear that one is the 'have to have' if you're a book collector in the arms and armour field. However,"Old Gunsights and Rifle Scopes" was much more than just adequate to suit my needs.

If you're thinking about dropping "the Big Bucks" on an older Lyman All American, a Zeiss, or any other not-so-off-the-shelf, high dollar brand, ...this read is a good primer. And, it's estimated pricing seems to be pretty well on the mark, even in 2011 auctions and gun show 'deals'.

Since it is a "Gun Digest" book publication, you can expect the same high quality and signature format as the "Gun Digest". It's well illustrated, with reprints of advertising, technical info, mixed in with manufacturer's histories, and a sixteen page mid-book colour "Gallery", ...scope and specialty-sighted rifles. I don't know how one could find any more information than in this offering. My copy is already getting 'dog eared' and highlighted. Plan on quite a few long evenings of pleasurable perusing. This is a "must have" if you're going to show up at the range with a vintage shooting rig. Oh! ...the Oohs! ...and Ahs! my old Weaver AO K-10 gets on my Winchester 1885.

This book is OUTSTANDING !! Anything I have ever wanted to know about vintage gun sights , I have found in this great book ! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in this subject, it is money well spent !!

It's a valuable reference for shooters and collectors who are interested on old sights and scopes.