Samworth Books....

[BenTolson]

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]

I have a handful of Samworths. Always reliably high quality.

[Woodtroll]

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]

I have all 47, it took years of looking for some of them.

[Bent Ramrod]

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]

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]

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=9780962682087&cm_sp=mbc-_-ISBN-_-all

[relics6165]

150 million books on Bookfinder.com, not a single Samworth Ballistic Records..........................

[762 shooter]

A good ole boy from Plantersville, SC.

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

Great writer.

762

[pworley1]

I don't collect them but do have a few for the information they provide.

[Noah Zark]

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]

I have all 47 of them along with several multiple copies!

[Forty Rod Ray]

Are there any biographies of Mr Sam? His Personal gun collection?

[relics6165]

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]

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]

Thanks for that info, Noah!

[Bakebfr480]

I have several of these Samworth books……..are they worth anything?

[missionary5155]

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]

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]

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]

i have several, one that comes to mind is [ Modern Gunsmithing by Clyde Baker ] 1933 -

[spfdpete]

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?