Airgun Book !

[gedfinn 2]

Car Boot day today, ! One of the dealers had brought me, "Smiths Standard Encyclopaedia" Of Gas/Spring& Air guns, Of the world, What a great Book, ! Its in very good condition ( Although yellowed with age ) It say,s in the index ,1957, (probably a re-print ) but it looks old, and what a fascinating read, With many deatails/Pictures of OLD guns, Anyone else got one ?, Cheers,

[Troubledshooter]

This is a recognised reference book for any air gun enthusiast/collector, and is well worth a read.
Yours is the first hard back edition, published in 1957,which was re-printed in 1978, and a soft back edition was published in 1982.
Did you get a dust jacket with it ?

[gedfinn 2]

Hiya mate, Yes it has a (mostly) white dust cover with red writing, (its well yellowed and in very good nick, As regards to the contents,They are priceless, cheers

[I. J.]

One of the bibles!

ATB
Ian

[Troubledshooter]

If your dust jacket is mainly white with red and black lettering, it sounds more like the later reprint, as my first edition has four green and black drawings on the front of the dust jacket.
It doesn't really matter as the content is what's important.
As I J says, it's an air gunners bible.

[gedfinn 2]

Hi all, thanks for your input ! I have noticed thet they make OLD stuff anymore , H aha, cheers,

[Milsec]

A great book!

Although i haven't read it in 35 or so years.
I remember reading it cover to cover many times, in my grade school days.
(here in the states.) It was at the local public library and i "took it out"
many times. Sadly, all "gun books" have been removed from the public
library, even in the USA.

I remember the book starting with the primitive blowgun. Also i remember
Smith mentioning that Weirauch were just middle quality guns. (Maybe true
back then, i don't know) Also fell in love with the rare Sheridan Supergrade,
an example of which i finally received a few years ago.

The very advanced collectors, often point out inconsistant text or errors in some of the text, but that is beyond me. A vast work like that book is excused....
for a few mistakes.

I think Smith also published an even broader book, on Small Arms of the World. Can anyone reccomend that one?

Been thinking of picking up a copy of gas spring and airguns of the world, for old times sake. Seem to sell for $60-100 usd here in the states

[gedfinn 2]

Hi All, I have posted a Pic of the front cover, ! Milsec, made the comment on "How Much" Which is what I was going to say next ? How much would you pay ( Its not for sale ) I paid the asked £15 ! Though I have bought a number of Items off him, ( The RB 2 Came fom him ) He bought it new, ! I wonder what other treasures going to " Dribble " out, ! Ha ha, cheers,

[gedfinn 2]

Just a "pic"

[gedfinn 2]

"just a pic" Cheers,

[Troubledshooter]

That looks like the cover for the reprint hard back edition, circa 1978.
They don't come up for sale very often, but I think the going rate is about £40, although I am sure someone will say they picked one up for £5 or less.
At £15, I think you got yourself a bargain.

[gedfinn 2]

Thanks Troubledshooter.Its not the money ! I would have paid £15 just to read it Ha ha, Can I do a re-print for all of us or/ are/ there some problem ?? , cheers,

[Troubledshooter]

Thanks Troubledshooter.Its not the money ! I would have paid £15 just to read it Ha ha, Can I do a re-print for all of us or/ are/ there some problem ?? , cheers,

I think you would run into copyright problems, so it's not advisable.

[gedfinn 2]

I did envisage that problem ! Its just a shame we ALL share ITS treasures, ( And indeed many other good treasures) Cheers,