The worst thing about collecting high quality firearms....

[Hammer Gun]

Books are great, with the information to help guide the would be collector as well as the seasoned collector, but as with many things these books have errors in them and only through diligent study can you some times separate the " wheat from the chafe", books are a wonderful addition to go along with collecting and gleaning information. Hats off to the authors of these great reads, they probably did work for 10 cents on the hour or less which only shows their devotion to the subject, Gary

[King Cobb]

Lete be clear. I love the quality of the 1 of this books I have and appreciate the ones I have been fortunate enough to peruse. I love the books and appreciate the effort made on them. I just wish they weren't quite so expensive


I have several Colt books, including one on all colt manufacturing and one dedicated to the SAA, but I haven't stumbled across the fancy version you are refereeing to.

[Ben Rawls]

I have tried to get books I thought were definitive on makers as they were available. I missed the Superposed book and finally found a copy for less than my last cancer surgery. I have only sold one or two and then it was to individuals I felt could use the information more than I. I have told my kids that when I die to be sure they know what every book and gun part is worth before they assume "It's just Dad's junk".
That FN49 part may be worth a lot more than you think.

[King Cobb]

Originally Posted by Mills Morrison

Check out the Colt books if you think the Parker books are expensive. The trade edition is $375 or so and the leather/limited edition is in the thousands.

The Parker Story is worth every penny. For the others, just stake out Ebay and a good buy will come along

Mills,

Is this the colt book you are referring to?

http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Colt-...dp_ob_image_bk

The 3rd edition is $110. The 1st editions in leather are $800-$900 on amazon.

This is what I wish they would do with the superposed book and others, rerelease them in newer editions. If they are going for what they are going, there is obviously an interest in the books. Newer editioins would allow the originals to mostly hold their value while making them more affordable for others and maybe making the authors some money.

[Mills]

No, the ones I am talking about are advertised in Sporting Classics. They do look very well done. I am not a Colt collector though

[King Cobb]

this would be the first edition, which from my searching must be the book you are referencing. Did a search for colt book sporting classics and couldn't find anything.

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Colt-Fire...t+firearm+book

[Bill Murphy]

There is a trick to the "gun book" situation. If you are interested, even a little, in a certain type of gun, buy every book that comes on the market, when it comes on the market. I now own about $800 worth of Schwing's Model 42 and Superposed books, one each. I bought them the day they became available for about forty bucks apiece. Of course, not every book that comes on the market will appreciate like these two, but it pays to be early in buying the books you like, regardless of the appreciation.

[George Lander]

I purchased two copies of Ross Beard's first edition book "CARBINE" on the life of Marshall "Carbine" Williams back in the early 70's. The publisher, Sandlapper Press, was located directly across from my office at the time in Lexington. The flyleaf of each book had been signed by Carbine himself just prior to his death. I believe I paid @ $10.00 each. The last that I heard they were going for over $500. My advice is like Bill's. Buy books that interest you as soon as they become available. They are always a good investment.

Best Regards, George

[Jack Kuzepski]

I know the price of books can seem pretty high at times BUT an education is expensive.
With books, you have the research material and can make educated choices about what to buy and collect. The COST of buying and collecting without research can be considerably higher both pricewise and to your mental health.
Mr. Murphy's idea of buying a book when it first comes out if you even have a slight interest in it is solid. At least you have the book and can read it and learn. If you lose interest later you can always sell the book (usually for what you paid for it or more.)
Just take for example, The Parker Story for $300-. That seems like a lot of money, and it is, but by reading it and researching a particular firearm you are informed and in better shape to know what to pay. You know what were factory options, etc.. You will be in a better position to negotiate a better price or realize a rarer piece going for a modest price and actually save more than the initial $300.

Jack Kuzepski

[Mills]

At $195, the Parker Story is a bargain. I paid more for mine and still got a good deal