By Art Gogan

ISBN 0-917218-86-8

Reviewed by Stan Zielinski

One of my interests has always been in how the rifles were made. Many years ago as a graduate student I had the chance to learn how to use a variety of metal working tools from a retired machinist who ran the college's metal working shop. Many hours when I should have been studying I was in the metal shop making various gun tools such as the barrel/action wrench and vise I still have (and use) today. Over the years I have collected a number of books on older machine tools, metals, particularly steel, and metalworking in general, particularly of the 1850 - 1950 era, but, while some of this literature had information relative to the manufacture of firearms, most were general texts. This book was written specifically for those who collect firearms, and should be of interest to anyone who collects firearms.

Below is the table of contents which should give a good idea of the subjects covered, but here are a few subjects discussed in the book. Can an x-ray detect if a weld was made? Answer, no if the weld was a good one. There is a section on reading obliterated markings, and also a discussion of such sales hype as Colt's "silver steel." The science of modern metallurgy is actually quite young and some of the claims made for the iron/steel used in 19^th and early 20^th century firearms were really quite absurd in light of today's knowledge. More importantly for collectors, certain uses of some types of metals are clear indicators that the firearm has been "restored." But while most collectors could spot a gunstock made out of the wrong kind of wood, probably very few could recognize the inappropriate use of steel where iron was originally used. This is the kind of reference book that every firearms collector should own and refer to frequently.

Order from:

Andrew Mobray Publishers

PO Box 460

Lincoln RI 02865

Fax: 401 726-8061