Book Review: Guns of the Old West by George Markham

Published on June 20, 2013
Duration: 5:31

This video reviews George Markham's book 'Guns of the Old West,' highlighting its comprehensive organization and coverage of popular and obscure firearms from the American Western period. The book is structured into handgun, rifle, and shotgun sections, detailing everything from early revolvers to early automatic pistols and lever-action rifles, making it a valuable starting point for those interested in the subject.

Quick Summary

George Markham's 'Guns of the Old West' is an excellent starting point for learning about firearms of the American West due to its comprehensive organization and coverage of both popular and obscure models. It's structured into handgun, rifle, and shotgun sections, detailing everything from early revolvers to lever-action rifles and early automatics.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction and Book Discovery
  2. 00:12Book Title and Author: Guns of the Old West by George Markham
  3. 00:31Book Organization and Scope
  4. 01:05Cover Image and Table of Contents
  5. 01:20Introduction: Firearms Development from 1700s
  6. 01:36Book Sections: Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns
  7. 01:40Handgun Section Details
  8. 02:07Common Western Cartridges Overview
  9. 02:32Handgun Section: Early Automatics
  10. 02:47Rifle Section: Lever Actions and Sharps
  11. 03:00Rifle Section: Obscure Models
  12. 03:18Rifle Section: Remington Rolling Block
  13. 03:30Rifle Section: More Modern Guns of the Period
  14. 03:42Rifle Section: Early Magazine Rifles
  15. 03:52Shotgun Section Overview
  16. 03:56Shotgun Section: Repeating Shotguns
  17. 04:11Overall Impression and Value
  18. 04:20Book as a Starting Point
  19. 04:37Availability and Pricing on Amazon
  20. 05:20Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes George Markham's 'Guns of the Old West' a good starting point for learning about firearms of that era?

The book is praised for its extremely well-organized structure, covering a vast range of firearms from the American Western period. It includes both highly popular models and less common ones, providing a comprehensive overview that is ideal for beginners.

What types of firearms are covered in the 'Guns of the Old West' book?

The book is divided into three main sections: handguns, rifles, and shotguns. It details everything from early revolvers and popular lever-action rifles to more obscure models and even early automatic pistols and repeating shotguns.

Does 'Guns of the Old West' focus only on famous firearms, or does it include less common ones?

The book deliberately covers a wide spectrum, including firearms that were very popular and numerous, as well as those that might not be as well-remembered by Hollywood. This includes less flashy but mass-produced guns like Iver Johnsons and various Civil War contractors' pistols.

Where can I find George Markham's 'Guns of the Old West' book, and what is its typical price?

Copies of 'Guns of the Old West' are readily available on Amazon, with numerous used copies often starting at very low prices, sometimes as low as $2.99 plus shipping. New copies are also typically affordable.

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