Book Review: The World's Fighting Shotguns

Published on November 14, 2013
Duration: 5:57

This video reviews Thomas Saren's 1978 book, 'The World's Fighting Shotguns,' highlighting its comprehensive coverage of combat shotguns up to the 1970s. While not a collector's guide for identifying minute variations, it serves as an excellent historical reference for understanding the evolution and use of fighting shotguns, including pump-action, semi-automatic, and experimental full-auto designs. The book is considered a foundational resource for enthusiasts despite its age and lack of reprints.

Quick Summary

Thomas Saren's 1978 book, 'The World's Fighting Shotguns,' is an outstanding historical reference for combat shotguns up to the 1970s. It covers single-shot, multi-barrel, pump-action, semi-automatic, and experimental full-auto designs, detailing their evolution and use. While not a collector's guide for specific variations, it's a foundational resource for enthusiasts.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction to the Book
  2. 00:10Book Title and Author
  3. 00:14Scarcity of Combat Shotgun Books
  4. 00:26Saren's Book as a Reference
  5. 00:31Publication Date and Limitations
  6. 00:46Coverage of Guns Up to the 70s
  7. 00:51Focus on Older Guns
  8. 00:54Bannerman Shotgun Example
  9. 01:07Technical Range Covered
  10. 01:15Full Auto Magazine Fed Shotguns
  11. 01:30Historical vs. Collector's Book
  12. 01:45Winchester 1897 Trench Gun Mention
  13. 01:58Purpose: Understanding Evolution and Use
  14. 02:08Inside the Book
  15. 02:14Cover Art
  16. 02:23Book Sections: Technology Based
  17. 02:24Section 1: Single Shot Guns
  18. 02:33M79 Grenade Launcher Cut Down
  19. 02:42Philippine Homemade Guns
  20. 02:52Section 2: Double Barrel Guns
  21. 02:55Ithaca Auto and Burglar
  22. 03:05Liberators (Four and Eight Barrel)
  23. 03:11Early Pump Action Shotguns
  24. 03:13Bannerman Information
  25. 03:15Bureš Shotgun
  26. 03:27US WWI Trench Guns
  27. 03:35Section 3: Magazine Fed Experiments
  28. 03:40More Trench Gun Types
  29. 03:48Section 4: Modifications and Accessories
  30. 03:53Extended Magazine Tubes
  31. 04:00High Standard 10 Police Gun
  32. 04:09Development of Experimental Full Auto Shotguns
  33. 04:14John Foote Contribution
  34. 04:21Section 5: Grenade Launching
  35. 04:24Tiar Gaps and Shotgun Shell Propellants
  36. 04:34Section 6: Ammunition
  37. 04:37Birdshot, Buckshot, Slugs, Flechettes
  38. 04:50Book Limitations and Strengths
  39. 04:54No Reprints
  40. 05:01Outstanding Reference
  41. 05:07Need for a New Book
  42. 05:12Availability and Scarcity
  43. 05:16Where to Find the Book
  44. 05:23Identifying the Book
  45. 05:31Finding a Good Deal
  46. 05:34Foundational Reference Piece
  47. 05:43Conclusion and Thanks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'The World's Fighting Shotguns' by Thomas Saren?

'The World's Fighting Shotguns' is a 1978 book by Thomas Saren that serves as a comprehensive historical reference for combat shotguns. It covers various technologies and designs from single-shot to experimental full-auto models used up to the 1970s.

What types of shotguns are covered in Thomas Saren's book?

The book covers a wide range of fighting shotgun technologies, including single-shot, double-barrel, pump-action, semi-automatic, and experimental magazine-fed, full-auto shotguns. It also touches on modifications and ammunition types.

Is 'The World's Fighting Shotguns' a good resource for identifying specific firearm variations?

No, Thomas Saren's book is primarily a historical reference and not a collector's guide. While it details the evolution and use of fighting shotguns, it does not provide the minutiae needed for identifying small variances or determining the provenance of individual firearms.

When was 'The World's Fighting Shotguns' published, and what are its limitations?

The book was published in 1978. Its main limitation is that it does not cover any firearms or developments made after that date, such as modern high-tech shotguns like the USAS-12.

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