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BenTolson
10-09-2021, 11:41 AM
Over the years I have collected many gun related items... among them are the gun books published by Samworth Publishing (aka Small Arms Technical Publishing Co.) There were 47 titles published, with subsequent editions of most. Curious if there are others on the forum that collect these classics?

Nueces
10-09-2021, 12:15 PM
I have a handful of Samworths. Always reliably high quality.

Woodtroll
10-09-2021, 02:21 PM
Do you (or anyone here) happen to have a list of all their titles? I have a few, if I remember correctly, but am curious what else they published.

relics6165
10-11-2021, 08:34 AM
I have all 47, it took years of looking for some of them.

Bent Ramrod
10-11-2021, 11:36 AM
According to Brian R. Smith’s Samworth Books: A Descriptive Bibliography, there were indeed 47 Samworth titles, as relics6165 mentioned.

Smith’s book is about as hard to find as many of the Samworth titles. Some of the latter have been reprinted by R&R Books.

relics6165
10-11-2021, 11:24 PM
The Holy Grail of Samworths is Ballistic Records. It's not really a book, more like a notebook for recording reloading data. It's the tough one, really hard to find.

If a guy has all of 'em, and reads 'em, there's a lot of 1930 and 1940's knowledge that can be used as a foundation for succeeding generations of writers. With eBay, and the book databases, they aren't quite as hard to find, and if you were to settle for reprints, some are quite easy and affordable. I have a complete collection of originals, that too might be easier now than when I did it.

The Brian R Smith book is quite handy (probably necessary) in putting a set together.

relics6165
10-11-2021, 11:29 PM
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=9780962682087&cm_sp=mbc-_-ISBN-_-all

relics6165
10-11-2021, 11:32 PM
150 million books on Bookfinder.com, not a single Samworth Ballistic Records..........................

762 shooter
10-12-2021, 06:11 AM
A good ole boy from Plantersville, SC.

He donated Samworth Game Management Area to the outdoorsmen of South Carolina.

Great writer.

762

pworley1
10-12-2021, 06:45 AM
I don't collect them but do have a few for the information they provide.

Noah Zark
12-05-2021, 09:30 PM
As it happens, I'm the author of the Samworth Books reference published in 1990. I have maybe 25 copies left if anyone is looking for one.

Noah

smithnframe
12-05-2021, 09:53 PM
I have all 47 of them along with several multiple copies!

Forty Rod Ray
12-05-2021, 10:13 PM
Are there any biographies of Mr Sam? His Personal gun collection?

relics6165
12-06-2021, 12:22 AM
Ray:

I'm not aware of a Samworth biography per se, other than the information in Brian Smith's book on Samworth books. Looks like he just posted above, and has some copies left.

Noah Zark
12-06-2021, 10:23 AM
Are there any biographies of Mr Sam? His Personal gun collection?

Nothing more of a biography than what appeared in a few brief magazine articles or the bio chapter in my book.

As for his guns, T G Samworth was an avid bird hunter and target shooter. He owned a number of double shotguns, and at least one Winchester Model 12. He also owned an M1903 Springfield and two Winchester 1885s but I don't know their chamberings. He had other guns but unfortunately that information is long lost.

Noah

johniv
12-10-2021, 04:26 PM
Thanks for that info, Noah!

Bakebfr480
01-08-2022, 05:49 PM
I have several of these Samworth books……..are they worth anything?

missionary5155
01-12-2022, 11:31 AM
Go to that "e" place and look up the titles.. Then watch if anyone buys them. That is where I figure book values. Amazon also as used books.

BenTolson
01-12-2022, 12:28 PM
As with most collectible books, the higher values are on first editions. Most Samworth books had multiple editions... books will usually have a listing of other titles on a back page with publishing dates... Obviously, the Samworth book is invaluable in the quest. My favorites focus on .22 rifles & varmint shooting... to me it's the "romance" of an era that has been lost on our society for the most part.

jdsingleshot
07-26-2023, 02:11 PM
I've got a few. I value the content, but they should all be classified as "take down books"--they come apart if you use them. Shamefully cheap bindings.

schutzen-jager
07-26-2023, 04:43 PM
i have several, one that comes to mind is [ Modern Gunsmithing by Clyde Baker ] 1933 -

spfdpete
12-12-2023, 04:35 PM
I have all 47, it took years of looking for some of them.
I am hoping to purchase "Single Shot Conversions" by A. W. Peterson, published by Samworth. Can you accommodate my request?

JDHasty
10-06-2024, 01:47 AM
I have most of them, I have duplicates and triplicates of some and reprints that I read instead of the old ones when I have them. I’ve picked up some for a dollar at garage sales and thrift shops. I re read the CS Landis books annually.

relics6165
10-07-2024, 10:59 AM
spfdpete:

I'm not familiar with that title, I don't think Samworth published it. Are you referring to Axel Peterson from Denver who did 22 single shot conversions, including Lugers with 1911 hammers and Colt New Service Target front sights?

Noah Zark
10-08-2024, 10:42 AM
I am hoping to purchase "Single Shot Conversions" by A. W. Peterson, published by Samworth. Can you accommodate my request?

spfdpete: In doing research on Samworth and his operation and titles offered, often times he would advertise a title in advance of planned publication, only to never publish it due to any number of reasons, usually related to a momentary shortage of funds or a author that never came through with a working manuscript. Some of the never published titles were "announced" in other book in-print in his later years. I was not able to find any evidence in his files or papers made available to me that "Single Shot Conversions" was ever published.

Noah