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I am looking for recommendations for trusted sources of reading material to better understand how Winchester operated, how they sourced contractors and employees, how designs were approved and prototypes were made. I would also like to know how production and inventory and control worked in the early years.
Then, I’d like to find sources of information on the 1873 and 1876, beyond the superficial, but also peered reviewed.
Some books I have purchased, like Herbert Houze’s book on the 1876, it contains good information, least to the less knowledgeable, but finding the book is almost as challenging as forking over $300+ for a “decent” copy. Some of the Madis books can fetch $600 or more, and the reviews on the material range from glowing to unsatisfactory.
It makes finding trusted sources for information hard to find, not to mention hard to afford. While I have no problem spending good money on quality, without direction, knowing quality reading material from non-quality is a gamble.
So, in sum, I’m looking for a trusted author and book title list from the collective. I’m sure such a list would benefit many. Heck, it might already exist.
Appreciate any guidance!
Justin.
As far as I am concerned, you cannot go wrong with any of the many reference books that Herb Houze authored. I would recommend starting with this one – “Winchester Repeating Arms Company: Its History & Development from 1865 to 1981” by Herbert G. Houze
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
What Madis book could fetch 600 bucks…or anywhere close to that? The Winchester 73 two volume set by Gordon should go for more than that amount, though.
James
Bert H. said
As far as I am concerned, you cannot go wrong with any of the many reference books that Herb Houze authored. I would recommend starting with this one – “Winchester Repeating Arms Company: Its History & Development from 1865 to 1981” by Herbert G. Houze
Bert
I highly recommend this book “Winchester Repeating Arms Company: Its History & Development from 1865 to 1981” also. I have had it on my bookshelf since it first was published. It is an excellent account of how the company operated.
jwm94 said
What Madis book could fetch 600 bucks…or anywhere close to that? The Winchester 73 two volume set by Gordon should go for more than that amount, though.James
There is a copy of his Winchester Book on Amazon going for $989, eBay had one for $650 last week (sold price).
Average seems to be $500-600.
But thanks for the lead on the Gordon sets
Bert H. said
As far as I am concerned, you cannot go wrong with any of the many reference books that Herb Houze authored. I would recommend starting with this one – “Winchester Repeating Arms Company: Its History & Development from 1865 to 1981” by Herbert G. Houze
Bert
Thank you!
JustinG said
There is a copy of his Winchester Book on Amazon going for $989, eBay had one for $650 last week (sold price).
Average seems to be $500-600.
But thanks for the lead on the Gordon sets
You’re welcome, Justin. I have a set of Gordon’s books that I will sell. My asking price was about 675.00.
What is the title of the Madis book that you are referring to. As far as I know, you could probably get a decent copy of about five of his books for about 250.00, I’d think, and that would include an edition of The Winchester Book 1 of 1000.
James
These guys are selling the Dates of Manufacture on Amazon for $900+
condition=used
Abe Books has one of the Winchester Handbooks for $700+.
Justin,
They are asking that much for it out total ignorance. I have very serious doubts that it will ever sell for even 5% of that amount.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Justin,
They are asking that much for it out total ignorance. I have very serious doubts that it will ever sell for even 5% of that amount.
Bert
It’s what the English call a “Rude Profit”.
JustinG said
There is a copy of his Winchester Book on Amazon going for $989, eBay had one for $650 last week (sold price).
Average seems to be $500-600.
But thanks for the lead on the Gordon sets
I bought a used set in Vegas for $250. You just need to keep looking. I got lucky but as I said before I always look at all of the stuff and sometimes I find something I wasn’t really looking for.
That “Dates of Manufacture” “1 of 1000” looks like something I might like to pick up, after I happen to run into a few of them in attics nicely preserved.
November 7, 2015
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Justin, I think what you’re in search of is a library as no one author can give you the complete story, IMHO. Houze and Madis forgot more about Winchesters than I ever hope to know. Robert Renneberg knows as much about the Model 94 as any man alive and he’s still researching. Not much into the 1873 and 1876 but if I were I’d probably invest in Arthur Pirkle’s book. I’ve enjoyed Ned Schwing’s books on slide action .22’s and I’d be lost without Larry Shennum’s and Bert Hartman’s Red Book. My library is currently lacking books from Rule or Madl but you get the idea. My reference library for Winchester books is somewhere over a dozen books and it pales in comparison to serious collectors. Yes, some are expensive. I can assure you that every book on my shelf has or will pay for itself by helping me make wise buying or selling decisions. It’s hard to believe in this Information Age but books are actually good investments, IMHO.
When buying a collectible Winchester it’s easy to make a $300 or even a $1000 (or even more) mistake. Why is it so hard to spend $200 for a book to help you make better decisions? One of my first books, the Madis book, paid for itself before I finished reading it because I recognized a rare Winchester that “experts” overlooked. The Red Book has helped me so many times that I keep one copy by my reading chair and another in my pickup in case I run across something interesting.
Good luck, good reading, good collecting!
Mike
Good books cost good money – but that being said I’ve never had to pay the “Crazy Amazon Prices” that we’ve all seen.
Amazon allows third party sellers to list what they have for what they want and so there’s a lot of “Fishing” going on.
The problem is that many people use these asking prices as a value guide, but remember they are asking prices – not sale prices.
Recently, a senior WACA member sold me a “Brand New”, still in the plastic after 28 years, set of Ned Schwings Slide Action Rifles. I got both volumes for $275 CAD shipped. (That’s both, not each)
Amazon listed them each at about $250 – $300 USD.
Another WACA member sold me Herbert Houze’s 1876 book for $50 CAD
I was very grateful for this fair treatment.
In the past 25 years I’ve bought and sold over 1000 books as I’ve built up and refined my collection – I’ve never paid or asked such crazy prices.
So, pick the Gun-show tables, post a few WTB (want to buy) ads and you’ll find what you’re looking for.
My WTB ads always say – “NO CRAZY AMAZON PRICES”.
jban said
That “Dates of Manufacture” “1 of 1000” looks like something I might like to pick up, after I happen to run into a few of them in attics nicely preserved.
And that’s too much.
Bert H. said
As far as I am concerned, you cannot go wrong with any of the many reference books that Herb Houze authored. I would recommend starting with this one – “Winchester Repeating Arms Company: Its History & Development from 1865 to 1981” by Herbert G. Houze
Bert
How does it compare with Harold Williamson’s history of the company? Which can be bought for under $10.
Justin,
AbeBooks.com has several of “The Winchester Book” by Madis starting at $95.
https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/winchester-book/author/madis/
Al
clarence said
How does it compare with Harold Williamson’s history of the company? Which can be bought for under $10.
I currently do not have a copy of Harold Williamson’s book (I just ordered it on Amazon). I will compare the two after reading it.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
I currently do not have a copy of Harold Williamson’s book (I just ordered it on Amazon). I will compare the two after reading it.
Bert
It’s the cornerstone of Winchester history, & I’d like to know how it compares. If you paid over $7, you paid too much. It’s so cheap because it’s been reprinted countless times.
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