September 2020 Newsletter
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 POP QUIZ- What are the eight uniformed services of the United States? OK, we all can name the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and, uh, Space Force but what are the other two? See below...
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For over 14 years our newsletter has gone to more than 50,000 Firearms Collectors, Enthusiasts, Historians and Professionals Worldwide. We now reprint over 6000 Vintage Gun Catalogs, Books and Manuals from the 1840s to the 2000s
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Back issues: you can view the newsletter on our website. For a downloadable copy of our catalog of reprints or manuals this will take you there. Also, we have Interesting downloads at our website. Please forward this letter to your friends.
Most Internet Browsers – Firefox, Edge, Opera etc – have decided to truncate, or cut off, the bottoms of long emails. There is a tiny note at the bottom allowing you to retrieve the rest of the email. Rob and Abby
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The Science Behind A Dog's Age
Dogs and humans, along with many other species undergo a DNA methylation process as they age. A team of scientists from the University of California, San Diego who are studying aging and how these clocks differ across species, started their research with dogs. “Although humans and dogs diverged early during mammalian evolution dogs share nearly all aspects of their environments with humans. These include, critically for these studies, similar levels of health observation and health care intervention.” Their assumption is that all dogs, regardless of breed, follow a similar developmental trajectory, with puberty reached at 10 months and dying before 20 years. The team focused on Labrador Retrievers, because they were hoping to increase their chances of finding genetic factors associated with ageing by concentrating on just one breed.
 
The Best Dog Training Collar
This is a repeat from 2018, but the collar is so good we want to repeat the plug (no, we don't get a commission, however, we can tell you the collar trains dogs very quickly, our dog walks off-leash with us all the time with no trouble.
 We've had several different collar/transmitter devices over the years and they all worked after a fashion, but they all had a common problem- they all had a tiny screen with minuscule icons indicating which mode the thing was set to, buzz, beep, flashlight or SHOCK. Generally, all you want to do is attract the dog's attention with a beep or buzz, not weld him to the ground with a stun and none of the transmitters allowed us see at a glance which mode was active. Also, the modes are all activated with one button and the mode could be accidentally changed by hitting the wrong button in your pocket. They were all very fiddly.
 This collar is different. It is brilliantly designed with different buttons for buzz, beep and shock. It also has an easy on/off switch you can use with gloves to deactivate the buttons when the device is on your pocket. It has rechargeable, long lasting batteries with level display and USB charging! Not only that, compared to some other devices it is much less expensive. We've only seen it on Amazon (link below) and we have no connection to the seller, financial or otherwise.
SCAM - too darn clever!
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and... THREE CHINESE WEBSITES TO AVOID
These websites sell everything you can imagine at low prices. The problem is they don't have any merchandise to deliver, they just take your money. The sites have the same architecture (they are all structurally the same) and have downloaded the images from Amazon and other websites, including ours, and attached low prices hoping to dupe buyers into a bargain purchase. Basically, they are thieves, so, beware. You can safely click on the links above, just don't buy anything- they are all dot com sites.
That's right! The:
and the
and your stupid neighbor thought it was the Forestry Service or the Civil Air Patrol or the Post office or the FBI or the Secret Service or Homeland Security or, well, you knew better, good for you!
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MUST-HAVE for your back yard
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Remember the 1,000,000th Corvette that fell in the sinkhole at the Corvette Museum?
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- When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison .
- Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life outta nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.
- When I say, “The other day,” I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.
- Interviewer: “So, tell me about yourself.” Me: “I’d rather not. I kinda want this job.”
- I had my patience tested. I’m negative.
- Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn’t fit any of your containers.
- If you’re sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say “Did you bring the money?”
- When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, “Why, what did you hear?”
- That moment when you walk into a spider web suddenly turns you into a karate master.
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I Read it in the Papers...
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...and this wizard ran from the cops, but then, to show how cool he was, he live-streamed it on Facebook. Then he got caught. ___________________________________
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More than 10,000 people were killed or injured by tigers in four provinces of South China -- Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Guangdong -- between the years 48 A.D. to 1953, according to gazetteer records in the Ancient Books Collection at Fujian Normal University, analyzed by Chris Coggins in his 2003 book "The Tiger and the Pangolin: Nature, Culture and Conservation in China."
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The editors have decided to retire Arms Heritage Magazine (not Cornell Publications, as some have misunderstood) with the December 2020 issue after 10 years and 60 issues of publication. They have stopped active solicitation of subscribers and renewal notices. However, some people may wish to subscribe since active subscribers will have access to all back issues in the Archives section, that access will remain throughout the period of the subscription. We are proud to have published more than 200 articles, each written by the foremost authorities in their fields.
If you wish to have a permanent library copy, subscribers can go to the website and download the pdf version, it can then be saved to a CD, thumb drive, your computer’s storage or even printed, although, be warned, printing takes a lot of ink!
Meanwhile thanks to all of those who have supported us over the years.
Dick Salzer, editor
This is the latest issue available now:
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This was an unsubscribe notification from our newsletter server. Reason the user unsubscribed from the newsletter: "I don't care for Nazi's. my father died fighting them. Bear Hart"
Good grief, my dad and all my uncles fought the Nazis too, I agree with you but what does that have to do with us? Did we say or do that made you think we have anything to do with Nazis? Please let me know. Rob
I will be brief. I value decency and democracy. When I go into my work this morning I will put on mask ,goggles,gown , my gloves and do a shift in what we call a Covid tower. I have no humor or patience with anything to do with the current catastrophe.Perhaps you will see why your humor was not well received. Rev. Sharpton is not an evil man. I cannot say the same about some others in your joke. Hopefully you will reflect why your humor might not be well received by me. I have to go to work. No need to reply, I shall not read it. Peace
Readers, we assume he was referring to the parody jokes in the last newsletter: Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road? We are sorry if that piece offended anyone but, if it did, then we think you are mite too sensitive to own a gun! Oh, and Bear Hart, thank you for your service. I can tell how difficult it has been for you.
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Hi Abby and Rob, I just ordered Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. Fifty Years of Gunmaking 1867 - 1917; Vorisek . I am trying to find information on the Chichester “pocket shotgun”, a variation of a 5-shot Hopkins & Allen revolver fitted with a shoulder stock and roughly 24 inch smoothbore barrel. There is a chapter in the book on the Chichester guns; is there any possibility you could tell me if it has any details on this particular model? I have access to an example only until Thursday, which is not enough time to get the book in the mail. I realize this is an awkward request, but I am hoping to film a video (I have a YouTube channel with 1.8 million subscribers) on the gun and I would be happy to mention your assistance in it if you can help me out. Thanks, Ian McCollum Editor, ForgottenWeapons
Hi Ian, I'll try to help. The "shotgun" part gave me pause, you don't mention caliber or gauge so I assume it was smoothbore to fire what we used to call snake rounds- or birdshot pistol ammunition. I have no catalogs for the H&A from the 19th century when, apparently, they had a relationship with Chichester so I have to rely on Charles Carder and Joe Vorisek. See what this does for you and get back to me if you want me to dig a bit deeper. Cheers, Abby
 Hi Abby, That background is helpful - do you have any reference to this model in particular? I’ve attached a couple photos. It has a rather unique shield attached to the frame, and an odd combination of a 28ga barrel but .38 caliber chambers... Ian
Hi Ian, I'm sorry, I don't see anything that looks like that in my books given the relatively short time I've had to look but I can say this, and, I'm sure this has crossed your mind, I don't think that was a production gun. a 28ga barrel obviously doesn't fit with .38 caliber, hence the flash shield due to a bad fit? It looks to me to be a prototype or a homemade piece but I'll forward this to Mike Carrick who has a much larger library than I do for his take. Cheers Rob
Thanks! The mention of the “eye protecting disk” is very helpful, and I will see what Mike knows beyond that. I will send you a link tot he video when it is finished. Ian
 Hi, Rob and Abby, I sent the following pictures to Ian. The first is from J.P. Moore Catalog, 1886 catalog, pg 20. Note last sentence where they say all come with the shield to protect the eye, and the hole is a peep sight. I found several mentions, but not much definitive information. Most was in Charles Carder book on Hopkins & Allen page 36 & 98. Mike
Hi Mike, I sent your images to Ian. Joe Vorisek mentions the same rifle in his book but nothing of a shotgun. It is the 55cal smooth bore barrel that has me confused. I suppose the tolerances were poor and black powder so dirty there was a real need for the flash shield (I failed to read the text in the advert!) Cheers, Rob
Ian, If Mike can't find anything more than I can, I bet it is a one-off. I suppose if you were trying to aim with your eye close to the sight the general tolerances were poor and black powder rotten so the shield was necessary. The seems to help confirm the notion that it is a one-off. Why would you want to carefully sight a load of shot going from a .38 cal cartridge to a .55 cal smooth bore? What an odd bicycle gun! Cheers, Rob
Hi Rob, My video (on the weapon). The gun is actually one in the September Rock Island auction, not something I own myself. They had someone consign a whole batch of engraved Hopkins & Allen revolvers… Ian
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Good evening! I’ve been looking for some reproduction manuals to accompany my WW1 BAR and I had a quick question for yall. Is your reprint stapled like the originals or are the manufactured like a modern print? Sorry for such a barbaric question. I’m just trying to find something that is almost identical to an original. Thank you for your time. Respectfully, Chris m40scou-20 (ebay)
Hello Chris, No, I'm sorry our reprints are not identical to originals. We reprint over 6000 old publications so it would be impossible to use the same bindings, paper or sizes of the originals. Rob for cornellpubs
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Does the Stevens 1924 Component Parts Cataloginclude the Stevens Hammer 235? Thank You, Steve
Hi Steve, yes it does, Abby
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The shipment came today and I want to thank you for the quality of the books and the fast service. Let me know if I owe anything for postage, as I don't want you to be out any costs. I will be getting another order together in a week or so. Great service and they are fantastic copies. Regards and keep safe, Rob Buckton
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Hello and thank you for your valuable publications over the years! I have purchased a few booklets and old catalogs to help with researching some family heirlooms. My current need is for an exploded view of the bolt, slide, firing pin and trigger assemblies for the J.C.Higgins 1958 Model 60 Automatic 12 ga Shotgun. I believe the firing pin utilized a spring and if so it is missing. It would be my fault if it is missing because I recently gave it a complete cleaning and it is otherwise in very good condition. It was my fathers and he gave it to me 20 years ago. He bought it at Sears and it was made for Sears by High Standard. I have all the original paperwork and the little information/users booklet. It has great drawings for disassembly and reassembly but nothing regarding the firing pin. I took it Dove Hunting yesterday for its first outing since the cleaning, but the pin only slightly dimples the firing cap and it won’t fire the round. If you have something on hand to help me or if you could point me in the right direction to find it, I would be very grateful and could pay over the phone if that is available. Again, thanks for all of your great products and services over the years! Jim Barclay
Hi Jim, This manual has an exploded parts view of the M60: J C Higgins c1955 Model 60 Manual Best, Abby
Thank you for this information, Abby! It is the original manual that accompanied the purchase and it is the one I already have. Meanwhile, I searched EBay for Mod 60 parts and found pictures with measurements of firing pins, which solved my problem! I had switched the firing pin with another similar but longer pin when I reassembled the gun after cleaning. I switched it back and it fired immediately. Thanks again for your assistance! Jim
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Hello. You have so many catalogs and manuals. I was looking for an Ithaca x5T Lighting. This is the tube feed version, not the one with the clip. I believe it came out in the mid or late 50's. Thank you Tom. compounder417 (ebay)
Hi Tom, From your note, I'm not sure if you are looking for a manual or a parts diagram or a catalog featuring the rifle. Also, ebay is a difficult place to respond because only about half our reprints are on ebay so I don't want to tell you about something you can't buy here. So, the Ithaca 1965 Firearms Component Parts Catalog, which is on ebay (but ebay will not even allow me to give a link in this response!), has a nice parts list with a sort of exploded parts view of the rifle. I'm sure we have catalogs, just let me know what you are after. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs.
I would like to have a copy of the owners manual, if you happen to have it. If not any other literature like you mentioned in your text, would be good, as long as they are related to the Lightning X5T. If you can just let me know by title or picture I would appreciate it. Thank you Tom. compounder417
Hi Tom, Ok, the X5T (T for tubular) was first advertised in the 1959 catalog and the 1960-61 parts catalog had images and takedown instructions (manual) for the rifle. We reprint both, and I believe both are on ebay. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs:
Hello again. Is there any way you can send me an invoice for the two 1959Itaca catalog and Ithaca 1960-62 parts catalog, upon paying with pay pal you can just mail them out to me. I'm just trying to avoid looking through 3000 + ebay add. Thanks again Tom. compounder417
Hello Tom, I don't think we are allowed to bill with Paypal at ebay. Ebay transferred us to “Managed Payments” which is a required ebay program that replaces Paypal with their own version, so we can’t even bill with Paypal as far as I can see. They have a ton of rules all with the caveat of termination if you skirt them. So, what I did was to copy the name of the items and drop them in the "search for anything" bar at the top of ebay page. Anyway, I then clicked on our listing (which came up first) then copied the URL for the items.
I'm sorry this isn't easier but ebay is very paranoid that someone will figure out a way to deprive them of the 30%+ aggregate commission they get after all the numbers are washed out. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs
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Good morning Abby, The Pape, WR 1903 Gold Medal Guns, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, RU000067648US Sadly the package containing the Pape gun catalogue has not arrived. As you despatched it, to me on the 10th Aug. Should I have expected it to be with me by now? John Holmes, Berwick, Scotland
Hello John, I’m afraid I don’t have good news for you other than to advise you to be patient and eventually the postal services will get around to clearing their backlog and deliver some of the piles of packages they have stacked in corners, both in the US and UK.
Cheers, Rob (he got it the next day)
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I was curious if there was sections in the Breechloading Shotguns 1860 -1940 Set of all 3 Volumes - Vorisekregarding “Victor Plain American Gun Co New York” or “Shapleigh Hardware” single shotguns? Curious if this will be worth purchasing Regards, Alex Golde
Alex, The breechloaders books give brief histories about most small sellers like Shapleigh- no models are displayed for Shapleigh at all. The Shapleigh Hardware Co. 1915 Parts & Materials Catalog (St. Louis, MO)has no complete guns, it is mostly a parts catalog for various makers gun parts and some hardware items. I can't find the victor plain gun at all so I'm afraid I'm no use to you at all. Cheers, Rob
Thanks for the response!! In my research I have found that “Victor Plain” is the model and “American Gun Co New York” was the trade name. These were wholesaled by the FOLSOM, H & D - ALL CATALOGS (NY, NY)and manufactured by Crescent Firearms, Crescent Arms 1927 Gun Catalog- Crescent Arms Trade Brands. as far as I know. Of course these records were part of a paper drive during WWII and lost. Was hoping to pinpoint year of mfg based on serial numbers for a couple breech loading shotguns. I appreciate your time and response. Regards, Alex Golde
Alex, Here are some links that might help. Of course no catalog has serial numbers because they are issued before the guns are even made. We do have some serial number help with Joe Vorisek's book on Stevens and our page on serial numbers.
Stevens Arms Company History by Joe Vorisek
FOLSOM, H & D - ALL CATALOGS (NY, NY)
STEVENS, J ARMS CO. - ALL CATALOGS
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Rob, thanks, received on time. Very nicely done. My wife is a book person and she was impressed with it. James Wood
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Sir, Am trying to get some info on my gun. It is a duesche werke,,,ortgies patent semi automatic . No one else is able to help me , Please let me know , if you know something. Thank You Amber
Hello Amber, "ortgies" was the name of a German inventor. His pistol was sold by many different retailers in the US. Enter the name "ortgies" in the search bar of our website to get the list. Here is some more information about the pistol. Cheers, Rob
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Looking for a book I can purchase, want to look up serial number and find out when it was manufactured etc. can you help me with that. Eddy
Eddy, Over the last 500 years there have been millions of firearms made by tens of thousands of manufacturers so no one book is going to list them all by a long shot. To learn anything from a serial number (don't forget that manufacturers used the same numbers as other manufacturers) you need to learn what the gun is, who made it and the model, then, perhaps, a serial number would help you learn a bit more about the gun. Sorry we can't be more specific, Rob
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Abby, I am looking for two takedown manuals. One for a Winchester model 1890 mfg. in 1903, the other for a Remington model 12 mfg. in 1924. Please advise. Thank you in advance. G.E. Martel
Hello G.E., The Winchester catalog for 1903 has takedown instructions and images: Winchester 1903, March Repeating Arms Catalog This is the best Rem 12 takedown: Remington Model 12 & 121- c1950 Manual Best, Abby
Good morning Abby, The Remington manual you offer is what I'm looking for, but it is a Winchester model 1890 manual not a 1903. The 1890 is a pump action rifle. Please advise. G.E. Martel
Hi GE, You said your gun was manufactured in 1903 so I selected a 1903 catalog with the M1890 slide action featured just in case there had been modifications made to the rifle in the decade before then. Do you prefer a different year? Best, Abby
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Hi Abby and Rob: Keep up the good work. The history of firearms is as much a part of our heritage as apple pie and the American Flag. Gerry
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What do you call exploding underwear? Fruit of the boom! To be honest I am angry that your listing title misled me.
Huh? Abby
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Do you have any literature on the winchester model 94 30-30? gregori8321 (ebay)
Sure, that rifle was made between 1895 and about 1980 by the original Winchester company (later too) so it is featured in virtually all our publications – catalogs and manuals, by Winchester during that period, over 100 of them and many of them are listed for sale by us at Ebay. What are you looking for? Rob
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Dear Abby, I hope this E-mail finds all well with you and yours. Does the catalog listed below contain any information on a sidelock shotgun called a "Webley-Greener Conquest 1100"? Webley & Greener 1967 Full Line Catalog (England)Thanks, Eddy
Hi Eddy, I took a quick glance at the index of each around then and this catalog has the Conquest: Webley & Scott 1790-1968 History and Gun Catalog Best, Abby
Dear Abby, I was thinking of buying one of those guns and was curious about how they were priced back then and any other information. I just bought that catalog that you referenced. Thanks, Eddy
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This is my second order from you. The first was several years ago, a reprint of Lyman 1957 Ammunition Reloading Handbook- 41st ed. which came out app. 1958. The original was a looseleaf binder, very small, abt. 4"x4". The info was hard to read, but a good reference book. You unbelievably reprinted it in 8-1/2"x11". One hell of an improvement! So much easier to read! Next, may I compliment you and Abby on the creativity and originality you exhibit in telling off some of the cretins you have to deal with? I couldn't do it. Thanks for everything you do for the fraternity! Gerry Mahle
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Hello. I wondering if you have ever heard of an Edward Gem and Co. double barrel shotgun side by side? I just purchased it and cannot find anything on the internet. It’s made in Belgium and has a silver crest attached to the bottom of the Burt stock comb.
It’s was stored in the basement so it is hard to read markings until I sand blast it. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Fred Salerno
Hi Fred, Gem doesn't come up directly on a search of our publications. DuMoulin made a gun called "The Gem" in 1904 but that is all I see with a quick search. Of course, gunmaking in Belgium was a cottage industry so I suppose that is what you have, not one of the big makers. I assume it is a Damacus barrel so be careful if you fire it! Best, Abby
Yes. Definitely Damascus. Thanks. If you haven’t run across one, it must be. Thank you so much for this information. There is another person looking for info. I will pass this on to him. Regards, Fred Salerno
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Dear Rob and Abby: I want to thank you both for the wonderful job you have done gathering, preserving, and distributing these priceless historical treasures. I am interested in the early gun manufacturers of central Massachusetts, and particularly of Worcester. I have a small collection of their common products, but now I want to explore the less common. Material I bought from you long ago has already been a great help to me. These new items may take me to the next level. So, thank you again. Gerry
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Hi Rob and Abby, Just to let you know, our post office here in Oak Harbor, Ohio advised me some months ago that Detroit/Allen Park is one of 6 national centers for USPS and is pretty much the black hole of 1st class packages after my repeated problems with timely arrival of same. Since the closing of the Toledo sort center some time ago, service has steadily gotten worse, yet I can mail a letter to the Shootcago area on Saturday and the addressee has it in hand on the Tuesday. I have had waits as long as 3 weeks for a small 1lb package. What is especially frustrating is the USPS tracking service will show it arriving in Allen Park, then it only shows as Enroute To The Destination for several weeks. Hopefully your customers will be more understanding. USPS is slipping rapidly. FFF Regards, John Fowler
Hi John, Yes, we've had it happen to us. Detroit is under investigation row, it's been all over the news that they have issues, unfortunately, overall they are much less expensive for us than any other service. Cheers, Rob
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Hello, Thanks for the newsletter, I always find them entertaining & interesting. I’m always grateful that a company exists which sells such a vast array of shooting related brochures, catalogues etc. We’d all like things for half price or free if possible but anyone who’s tried to buy an original gunmakers catalogue will soon discover that your prices for a reprint are a very attractive alternative. Regards, Russell Fox
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Dear Abby and Rob, thank you for your excellent service in finding, printing and sending copies of the old publications. Even out here in Australia, they've always arrived in good time. I have bought maybe eight or nine so far and they have been of great help in writing my book about riflescopes called Light at the Start of the Tunnel. Keep up the good work. - Paul
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I read over your newsletter in detail like I normally do. I just wanted to let you know that some of us really appreciate all the catalogs you guys provide. I can look over at my book shelf and I have at least 6 linear inches of books and reprints I have bought from you all and I am darn happy to have them. Sure I would like an original copy of say the 1932 S&W catalog or Speer reloading manual #1 but I have yours and as a user of the knowledge I am pleased to have it. You all provide a valuable service to the folks like myself that otherwise would never even see a copy of these books let alone be able to afford them.
I periodically get a little extra cash and make a bulk purchase from you guys to fill in gaps in my shelves. Not as often as I would like but that is life in US today. I know I can always can find a few things in your newsletter or website that I add to my “when I can afford it list” to buy next time. So please keep the faith, keep up with the great work and understand there must be a silent majority of folks like me that really appreciate all you do. I cannot believe I am the only one that thinks you guys are great. Enjoy that Michigan weather. I was born in Lansing and know that part of the state well. Work just took me to Texas over 30 years ago and I have never left. Peter Eick
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Hello! There should be a law against idiots buying on EBay, but then I would never get to own any cool "stuff"! I just purchased two of your offerings, a Unertl Telescopes 1956and a High Standard 1958 Handguns Catalog I completely forgot to add them to the "cart" first, and then request they be shipped together to save shipping fees, per your recent recommendation via email. If you are still able to effect that, I would be grateful, but if not, I know I will still thoroughly enjoy my new catalogs, as I have every other item I have purchased from you over the years........you guys ROCK! Thank you for the vast number of terrific offerings, and for making it so easy to acquire them..........looking forward to leaving you the usual excellent feedback! Sincerely, Tony Crupi
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Readers, Abby and I would be very grateful if you bought things from us on our website and not one of the auction sites, especially eBay, where the commissions eat virtually all the profit. So, why advertise on ebay? Well, the site does eventually send people to our website and we guess that justifies all the hassle it causes us.
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Cheers,
Rob and Abby
The End.
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