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If you had to buy one book on antique/vintage Winchester rifles, which book would you buy? I had my heart set on the “Winchester Book”, but after reading many posts here about its inaccuracies it left me wondering if there would be a better option. I am a newbie to collecting and eager to learn all I can.
Thank you
Regardless of the errors, Madis’ The Winchester Book is still my favorite comprehensive source for Winchester lever actions.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
If you are interested in all Winchesters then get the Madis book. If you have interest in only few models then there are some good books written for some of them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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Madis’ book is a good start for a Winchester reference library. Considering the vast amount of information a certain number of errors are expected. Some information has come to light since it was published and other sources have disappeared.
My library is rather modest at around a dozen books, for me gathering the books is almost as interesting as collecting the guns.
Mike
I have had my Madis book for the better part of 40 years and still use it often. Yes there are discrepancies in what has come to light in recent years but still an excellent source of Winchester history and model variations.
[email protected] said
If you had to buy one book on antique/vintage Winchester rifles, which book would you buy? I had my heart set on the “Winchester Book”, but after reading many posts here about its inaccuracies it left me wondering if there would be a better option. I am a newbie to collecting and eager to learn all I can.Thank you
I have more than a dozen books on Winchesters of various models but if I were starting out Madis’ Winchester Book is a good one. Also look at Williamson’s the Winchester Lever Legacy. As time goes by you can add the various books that go into a specific model, books on cartridges and boxes, books on Winchester collectables and so on.
Can I add something of a ‘cop out’ response/admission. The ‘right’ book(s) great. But sometimes research impeded by literally “not realizing what your don’t know.” Things hanging out there and material to needs without a clue. Our books increasingly dated. Fields of experts lurking with ‘synthesis’;
best of our ‘classic writings’ and Internet afforded up to date information. Happily today, far less dependent on books. Call it lazy or broad based research, a blend of research tools, increasingly dependent on Internet resources… Such as this very Forum!
Personally, seldom ever look at Madis. Wiser resource utilization, seeking experts who have! Moreover, who understand his research strengths and weaknesses. Who have superior information derived from resources such as George wouldn’t have dreamed. (Or any of us some decades ago.) My ‘eureka moment’, a kind answer from reliable, established expert(s) as here. And far better satisfied that such ‘study’ utilizing ‘best available ‘hard copy’ resource. Of the Winchester books I do revere AND reference, Winchester 94 and Rifleman’s Rifle/New Testament; Dean Whitaker/Old Testament… In my house full of books, when I can find them! 🙂
Sorry for admitted cop out! But also the opportunity/context to acknowledge and say ‘thanks’ to all those experts here. Great guys ‘in my book’ and… Oh brave new world!
Just my take.
[Friends don’t let friends deploy on big gray ballistic missile ships before returning MY GUN BOOKS!]
November 7, 2015
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Good points, iskra. Being able to ask an expert is an important resource better than any one book. OTOH the folks I consider experts have read many more books and have much larger reference libraries than I. They’ve also handled and/or examined many thousands of Winchesters. I’ll never be able to catch up with them in these areas, my only hope is to gather and read all I can so that I can understand what the experts are talking about.
Mike
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