It is an excellent book, but if you are thinking of buying a copy make sure you get the second edition, which contains a lot more information and many full colour illustrations (no colour in the first edition).

Although the book does cover pre-war airguns from the principal Suhl and Zella-Mehlis manufacturers, its unique value is that it gives a first hand account of airguns manufactured after the war, over the period when Zella-Mehlis and Suhl were under communist control in East Germany.

Fascinating to read what became of the well known airgun companies after the Russian occupation and what air rifles and pistols were produced and developed. For example, the Tell 3 became the Modell 75 and the manufacturer became Rheinhold Manteuffel & Co. Zella Mehlis. Manufacture of Haenel airguns was transferred to Ernst-Thalmann-Werk Suhl, and the Haenel 26 and 28 pistols disappeared, to be replaced by the Model LP54 pistol, the official millitary youth trainer (personal ownership of airguns was forbidden in East Germany). The new Haenel LP55 repeater and Model 300 were also introduced but were not commercialised. (I am currently making a reproduction of the LP55 and hope to be reporting on it on this forum in the near future).