Just happened across the two volume set in a used book store today. Score!
Printable View
Just happened across the two volume set in a used book store today. Score!
That’s a great set of books. Some of the prettiest mechanical drawing ever done is in those volumes. They had time to do things right in the Depression.
I've got mine! They are first-class books for the amateur gunsmith, despite their age. Where a modern book for the gunsmith would recommend specialised and expensive tooling that would pay for itself with a lot of quick and easy jobs, Howe tells how to make something that is worthwhile for the person who will only ever need it a couple of times in a lifetime.
My set is the 1st edition, 1st printing in 1934 autographed by the author. The dust cover is in bad shape but that comes from usage.
Teenage GONRA got this decades ago and read it over and over.....
Howe was an absolute perfectionist....Im the opposite.....but as a book for learners ,i think a book with a bit more make do in it like Dunlap is better.
The Howe books are works of art, but a bit like coffee table books in that their appeal is more academic than practical. Dunlap and Baker are much more usable and fun to read.
"Gunsmithing", Roy Dunlap
"Modern Gunsmithing", Clyde Baker
I down loaded both volumes from somewhere that I do not remember for little or no cost several years ago. There are other sources that I use more often, but still excellent resource, and would love to find printed set, but too cheap to spend the money on what seems to be the going rates. If I ever stumble on a set at the right price, they will follow me home.
WHAT DID YOU PAY? IF YOU DON'T MIND ASKING. i GT MY SET ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO AT A SHOW THEY WERE NOT CHEAP. sorry about that. I see most books have come down in price a lot, like 80% less.
great find,sir
Gunsmithing by Dunlap,the original Modern Gunsmithing by Baker,Professional Gunsmithing by Walter Howe,and Advanced Gunsmithing by Vickery are all more useful.I have Howe's two volume set but I haven't looked at it for years.Too often when you expect to read something useful you read "of course you know how to do that" and then on with whatever he was discussing.Much better books to invest in are the Kuhnhausen books on specific firearms.
That is a great catch. i have a set (no dust jacket) from 1945.
Vol I is 1st edition and Vol II is second edition. They are great books!
Just looked at my 2 volume set. 1934,1937 and 1941 copyright date with supplement up to 1941. Cost me $50 but well worth it and agree the drawings alone are worth the price. When I lived in NYC and went to the public library (home away from home) I'd always check both copies out of the reference section. Couldn't take them home due their being in the reference section but would sit for hours reading. They did a one volume reprint but doesn't hold a candle to the two volume set. Frank
I've got a 2 volumes in 1 copy I bought in my teens, too. and today is my 66th birthday. Brings back good memories.Quote:
Originally Posted by GONRA
Nice score!!!!!!!!!