Literature Review: English-Language Books on French Firearms

Published on July 23, 2017
Duration: 15:58

This video provides a comprehensive review of English-language books on French military firearms, highlighting the scarcity of detailed resources. Lead Firearms Instructor Ian McCollum discusses five key books, evaluating their scope, accuracy, and availability. He emphasizes that while no single comprehensive English-language book exists, these titles offer valuable insights into specific eras and weapon systems, from early rifles to post-WWI semi-automatics and handguns.

Quick Summary

There is no single, comprehensive English-language book covering all French military firearms. However, 'Proud Promise' by Jean Huon details French autoloading rifles (1898-1979), 'Honor Bound' by Demont and Bonneau covers the Chauchat, and 'French 1935 Pistols' by Mady and Doonan focuses on specific handguns.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction to French Firearms Books
  2. 01:05Review: French Military Weapons by James Hicks
  3. 03:39Review: Proud Promise by Jean Huon
  4. 06:13Review: Honor Bound by Gerard Demont & Yves Bonneau (Chauchat)
  5. 08:08Review: The Last Bolt Gun by Steve Jackson (MAS 36)
  6. 10:12Review: French 1935 Pistols by Mady & Doonan
  7. 12:48Review: Military Handguns of France 1858-1958
  8. 14:14The Need for a Comprehensive French Rifle Book
  9. 15:15Conclusion: French Language Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall English-language book on French military firearms?

Unfortunately, there is no single, comprehensive English-language book that covers all French military firearms in detail. The available resources are often specialized, focusing on specific weapon types or time periods, and many more detailed works are published only in French.

Which book is recommended for French autoloading rifles?

Jean Huon's 'Proud Promise' is highly recommended for its in-depth coverage of French autoloading rifles from 1898 to 1979. It details the development of systems like the RSC 1917/1918 and the MAS 49/56 series, though it is now out of print.

What is the best resource for the Chauchat automatic rifle?

The book 'Honor Bound' by Gerard Demont and Yves Bonneau is the definitive English-language resource on the Chauchat automatic rifle. It's published by Collector Grade Publications and is currently still in print and affordably priced.

Are there good English books on French military handguns?

Yes, there are two key books: 'French 1935 Pistols' by Mady and Doonan for detailed information on the 1935A and 1935S, and 'Military Handguns of France 1858-1958' by Mady and Huon for a broader overview of French military handguns across a century.

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →