Standard Catalog of Firearms

This handy reference should be part of every firearm collectors library. Anyone interested in firearms should have a copy of this book. Included is Colt's Manufacturing Companys discontinued model alerts, changes by UPS and other common carrier in shipping, a list of the firearms included in Clinton's ban on "assault style" firearms, an article on the firearms world in review for 1999, arrticle on selected class three firearms, explanation of the grading system..Some of the firearm manufacturers listed are American Derringer Corp., American Frontier Firearms, Auto Ordnance Corp., Ballard Patent Arms, Bretta, Browning Arms Co., and many others too numerous to list in complete detail.A bkack & white photo accompanies many of the descriptions to make identication easy. Every fireams is listed with the estimated retail value depending upon condition. Background information is listed when available as to when a model was introduced as well as when it was discontinued. Detailed information is given such as to the style of pistol grips, type & length of barrel, type of ammunition, and type of stock. There are new sections on Webley autos, Seville and El Dorado revolvers. Firearms covered are from 1838 to 1999. One of the most comphrensive books available on the market today.

This book has a great many listings and while a very thick book it is not very wordy. Only the bare facts are presented, enough to identify the the gun and then the prices that are based on the "Gun List" publication. I have found the prices to be on the high side when compared to local (Indiana) gun show prices. This is to be expected since the price is based on national buyer exposure. It is still just a guide and a good one, I would have given it five stars, but for the fact that it lacked some details in the description that I would have found useful as a amature gun buyer.