I remember very well the first book that got me started on my way in seeking gun knowledge. It was the Daisy "Red Ryder Handbook."
At that time I thought I was expert in my knowledge of handguns. There was an "Army Gun" (M1911), a "Cowboy gun" (Colt SAA), the "German Luger", "Police Gun", (Colt or S&W .38s) and was aware of the term "Snub nose .38". What more was there to know?
But there in the illustrations was a gun I could not place. After some searching, I learned it was a Colt rod ejector DA .45, the Model 1878.
Many years have passed since then, but I still remember that book. At about six or seven years old, I determined to learn how to shoot the one-hand gun, and learn all there was to know about them.
Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting by Ed McGivern. My Grandpa knew him and had several copies of his book, so when I got interested in guns he gave me a copy.
:-D As a young boy , whenever I went to my buddy's house I loved to look at his father's copy of the Shooter's Bible. That must have had an influence on me. Later as a Teenager I bought a Gun Digest and read it cover to cover until there was no cover. Right now I own ever Gun Digest except 2. #4 and #60. Sixguns, Chic Gaylord's Handgunner guide, Smith & Smith Small Arms of the World were early influences on Me. I now own well over 400 books that could be considered Gun Books. :shock:
First gun book?
Robert Abels's antique arms catalog—boy, did I want a real Kentucky rifle!
It took me a while to save-up the money, but I finally got one from him...with his help: he gave me the rifle, and let me pay it off on my salary (75¢ an hour) as a clinic clerk in a New York City charity hospital.
That was almost 60 years ago.
I still have the rifle.
My first was the 1979 version, and it had the same problem with wear. I saw a new-ish looking one at a gun show last year and bought it to replace the original. That night, I read it cover-to-cover before putting it up on the shelf; it evoked many fond remembrances.
I also have several gun magazines from that year that I digested as my hobby blossomed. Memories...
I cannot for the life of me remember those first two books that I checked out of the public library when I was 15. They were both on basic rifle marksmenship and I believe one was written by a British Army Colonel, which I thought was the greatest thing in the world. I just knew he wrote that book in a room full of trophy animal heads and he probably had a handlebar mustache.
The books were out of date on technology, probably written during the 30's but did offer alot of good advice. I remember being shocked to discover that a bullet does not exit the barrell then magically rise after 25 yards as I had been told by what I thought was a reliable source. Another valuable lesson, never trust your uncles on firearms ballistics.
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