Books on milsurps and milsurp history

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flying pig

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Hey guys, thought I'd start a thread about books on milsurps and ones that you thought were essential reading for people interested in the hobby. A good book can spark an interest in a given firearm, satisfy an interest in one which may be unobtainable or even help identify a good buy or single out a faked piece. Its an essential part of the hobby and one that does get discussed occasionally on here, but I'd like to know more!

I'd like to start with a few of my favorites. Absolute must have for the Lee-Enfield guys, and I think especially for new collectors is Ian Skennerton's The Lee-Enfield Story. I had the latest edition gifted to me by my fiancee last December and I've read it three times trying to absorb as much of the info in it as I can, but I think it will take a lifetime to store it all! Excellent read and reference.

I'm just starting to get into collecting sniper's rifles, and have started into some long range shooting. I have just started reading With British Sniper's to the Reich by Captain C. Shore. So far its a pretty interesting book, lots of good humor in it and he shows his love for all things firearms all through it.

A Rifleman Went to War by Herbert W. McBride was another good read on sniping, this time in WWI. He covers a lot of different firearms and their roles in it, including quite a bit on MG's.

I also am into collecting gear and helmets a bit, and I bought a hard cover of Fighting Men of WWII, Allied Forces; and have ordered the Axis version as well. Beautifully illustrated and full of useful reference, but leaves a lot of opportunity for further research.

My favorite of the recent hollywood movies on WWII was the Pacific, and I have read a lot of the books the series was based on. The best by far were Eugene Sledge's With the Old Breed and Robert Leckie's Helmet For My Pillow. Sledge's book really makes you think about what these guys had to endure. The series may have been good but the books are much much better, they bring out the reality of their authors' situations much better.

I'd really like to read Peter Laidler's book on the No4T and the No32 scopes. I also can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the Ross Rifle Story.

Can't wait to hear you guys' picks!
 
not so much a milsurp related book...but an absolutely fascinating read ...A Man Called Intrepid by William Stevenson......how one man could have had such an impact on the fate of Great Britain, and the world itself is hard to comprehend. The seen and unseen diplomacy to persuade FDR to supply Churchill and his allies is simply astounding. Guns, Germs and Steel is also interesting if you want to tackle a "big picture" type of book.
 
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For Canadian Milsurp (and I guess technically police surplus - polsurp?), I highly recommend Canadian Military Handguns 1855-1985 by Clive Law and Arms and Accoutrements of the Mounted Police by Phillips & Klancher. They're both packed with good info and very readable. I'd also like to get a copy of Defending the Dominion, about Canadian military rifles, but I haven't gotten one yet.

For 19th Century US Milsurp, I recommend Carbines of the US Cavalry and Rifles of the US Army, both by John McCauley. I also liked US Military Bolt Action Rifles by Bruce Canfield for the Krag / Springfield / M1917 Enfield era, but think it would be alot more useful if it didn't limit itself to bolt actions! Canfield's book United States Combat Shotguns is also invaluable to anyone interested in the subject.

Mauser Military Rifles of the World by Robert Ball is great provided you get the get the more recent editions. Mannlicher Military Rifles by Paul Scarlata is also good. Skennerton's Enfield book is of course invaluable. Mowbray & Puleo's books on Military Rifle & Pistol dissassembly aren't, IMHO, all that useful from an educational perspective but very handy on the workbench!

Also on my shopping list is Italy's Battle Rifle by Arendell and Woodrum, pretty much anything by Bruce Canfield, Small Arms of the British Forces in America by DeWitt Bailey and Pistols Of WW1 by Robery Adamek. Can't review them first hand but I've heard they're good!
 
Click on over to FUGAWI's thread, friend.

It will save me a MORT of writing!

Essential books:

1. Hatcher's Notebook General knowledge and theory, history of 1903, m-1917, production, experiments, accidents. 3rd Ed still in print. Stackpole Books

2. The Lee-Enfield Rifle by Major EGB Reynolds, 1960. ONLY book written before the Great Paper Shredding. Free legal download at milsurps dot com

3. Text Book of Rifles - 1909 Extreme rarity; my copy will be scanned early in the New Year: His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1909

4. Small Arms of the World, 11th Edition Stackpole Books

5. The Ross Rifle Story Praivately printed, Canada. Copies available from time to time. ESSENTIAL for Ross collectors and shooters.

6. Hatcher's Book of the Garand NRA Hatcher was in on EVERY phase of development and production.

7. Arms of the World - 1911 The fabled Adolf Frank catalogue: $4 Brown Besses and other fun toys!

Absorb those, in that order, and you have a start.

Want REASONS, check Fugawi's thread.
 
"Small Arms of the World"

That's what I started with, and it's what I recommend as the first book - it gives a broad coverage of milsurps from around the world. There are typically 15+ for sale on eBay at any time and I prefer the earlier versions from the 1960's or earlier.
 
Two threads and no one has said "Backbone of the Whermacht German K98K Rifle, 1934-45"

I will agree, "The Lee Enfield Story" is a good book. Anyone else have a copy that is signed by Skennereton?
 
I dont mean to hijack, but I have been trying to find Ian Skennerton's book "The Lee Enfield Story" for sale somewhere here in Canada but am having no luck. Ian's website says Murray House Militaria sells his books but i cant seem to find that website anywhere even searching google. Anyone know where to get it?
 
30 yrs ago I bought a first edition of Roger A. Cox's book, The Thompson Submachine Gun, for $29.95. There is currently a copy on Abe Books for only $1838.95!!!

For Skennerton's book just "google" The Lee-Enfield Story to find multiple sources. A couple of yrs ago I bought a copy direct from him.
 
Any of the books from Collector Grade are excellent. It all depends on what kind of firearm you're interested in. Chinn has a series of books on the Machine Gun and they too are quite interesting to read through. Agree with Andy on the Small Arms of the World books. Very good basic information.
One of my favorite books is one titled Naval Ordnance, a 1937 textbook for Midshipman at the US Naval Academy, it covers all the large ordnance in use at the time including the mounts, ammunition and armor, among other things - fascinating read.
 
@Mitchell:

Pop over to milsurps dot come and take out a membership, then ask Skennerton if he'll send you one.

He still stocks them in Oz and he's ON milsurps.
 
Mitchell said:
I dont mean to hijack, but I have been trying to find Ian Skennerton's book "The Lee Enfield Story" for sale somewhere here in Canada but am having no luck. Ian's website says Murray House Militaria sells his books but i cant seem to find that website anywhere even searching google. Anyone know where to get it?
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Try Simpsons in the U.S.A. Books from stateside aren't too bad depending on weight and USPS has worked for me for shipping.
 
@ Mitchell: if you order from his website he will set you up himself. He offered me a choice of a signed copy he'd send you himself from Oz or he'll have one sent to you from his distributor in the US.

Smellie's way has the huge added benefit of all the knowledge over at milsurps though as a bonus!
 
Thanks everyone i got one ordered through a dealer in the states. I'm a member on milsurps already but i don't go on it as much as i should. I'll have to start hanging out there more thanks again.
 
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