Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide) [Paperback]

Phillip Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide | Publication Date: October 8, 2007

This one-volume reference to military firearms of the past 130 years is unmatched in depth of identifying details. More affordable than the closest competition, this general guide delivers descriptions for more than 2,000 antique, vintage, collectible and modern military firearms ? providing you with 300+ more listings than the previous edition, all for the same price. Arranged alphabetically by nation, then category, this easy-to-use identification guide includes a separate section for machine guns/submachine guns, and features, for the first time, descriptions and values for bayonets.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Phillip Peterson is a federally licensed military firearms dealer with more than 20 years experience. He?s a certified/degreed gunsmith, regular contributor to Standard Catalog of Firearms and feature columnist for Gun Digest: The Magazine

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: Gun Digest Books; 4 edition (October 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896894770
• ISBN-13: 978-0896894778
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for model identification, not so much setting value, February 5, 2008

By 

Joe D "RealGuns.Com" (Raymond, ME) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide) (Paperback)

I am not an expert, but I do have a collection of: German, Russian, Swiss, Turkish and American military firearms and the popular dedicated reference books for each. What I see missing most from Standard Catalogue of Military Firearms is accuate market values. Prices listed for commodity Milsurp firearms are 2x - 3x market value, even if compared to the past two years. Missing also is the value by country of origin or arsenal and not much attention paid to the glut of inexpensive imports sold through various Milsurp outlets. As an example what is refered to generically as a 1903/38 Turkish Mauser, could actually be conversions made from 1890, 1893, 1903, 1905 carbine, G 98 and the Czech 98/22 Mausers in both small, large ring and hybrid action/barrel.

The Model 1895 Nagant revolver is, again, listed at twice to three times the accepted market value and without discerning the price difference amongst Milsurp models based upon production date, arsenal and configuration. These late production refurbished revolvers were not only made at the Soviet arsenal Tula, they were also made at Izhevsk and marked accordingly. The cartridge for the gun is listed as only the 7.62mm, a label that applies to several cartridges; it is the 7.62x38mmR.

The book is a good source for general identification, which is more than a small accomplishment, it just isn't a very good price guide for buying and selling firearms. It's easier to go to an auction site and spot check as an opportunity arises and reference books dedicated to a more narrow category of firearms will provide a lot more informatio.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to collecting Military style firearms, December 21, 2007

By 

Ronald J. Brace "Doc Ron" (MN. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide) (Paperback)

Krause Publications, along with Phillip Peterson have outdone themselves in preparing and publishing this 4th edition of what has quickly become a required book in the firearm collector community. As in the previous editions, there is ample discussion and numerous photographs of the listed firearms, and the variations of and much historical context on most of the major models covered. An added bonus in this new edition is the pictorial rich addition of a guide to military bayonets!

As with all collector guides, prices are really dependent on what someone is willing to pay for an item, and the over all economy at the time. The fall in property values and a general slowing of purchase power occurred during the production phase of the book and many models are a little over priced in the late 2007 market (especially the price of transferable machineguns). But this is rather refreshing as the prices are usually undervalued by the publication date of most collector guides.

For the firearm collector interested in military style weapons, this book is an enduring and valuable reference that should be on your bookshelf, or better yet, by your side at the next estate or firearm auction you attend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide, January 25, 2010

By 

Joshua S. Allen "Allen" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide) (Paperback)

If you have any interest in C&R collecting or hold an FFL then this periodical should be a well-worn tool on your bookshelf.