Two New Old Colt Books

[Walter Rego]

There has been some discussion on Colt related books recently and I would like to suggest a couple of good ones. In the last week I purchased Colt Firearms from 1936 by James E. Serven (Stackpole Reprint, 1981) and A History Of The Colt Revolver And The Other Arms Made By Colt's Pt. F.A. Mfg. Co. 1836-1940 by Charles T. Haven & Frank A. Belden (Bonanza Books 1978 reprint).
Both were purchased online through Abe Books for a very reasonable price since they are not early or first editions with collectible price tags. My only criteria was clean copies with sound binding and no offensive cigarette smoke odors and the sellers are usually willing to answer any such questions in case the descriptions are lacking.
Both books are hardbound and would hurt if you dropped them on your toe as they are about 400 and 700 pages each, respectively. There are probably some errors or omissions that have been corrected in the years since their publication by newer research. Never the less I think they will provide plenty of hours of enjoyable reading for the cost of a few fast food meals that I should skip anyway. The Haven & Belden book illustrates many pages from Colt catalogs and leaflets throughout the years up to WWII and I think I will find that information particularly useful.

[broknaxl]

I'm kinda of a book nut. I've always liked to read.Thanks for a tip on where to find some good used books. They're almost like Colts, I can't get rid of them. But i do pass them on to others and/or donate to the local library.

[BigRix]

I can attest to this book being fantastic as well.





Picked it up off craigslist for $20. First edition. So much information I doubt I will ever read every single page, but I'm trying. The best part so far is all the reproduced documents.

Can anyone give me your opinion as to the accuracy of the information?

[broknaxl]

I'll have to start looking for these. Rick did you ever pick up that Shooting Master yet?? Or did I miss that you did?

[BigRix]

I'll have to start looking for these. Rick did you ever pick up that Shooting Master yet?? Or did I miss that you did?

Nope, but I visit it every pay day!

[Wyatt Burp]

A while back I found a big heavy box slid under my front gate. Noticing it was was from forum member Flanman and not the Unabomber I opened and found Colt book I didn't have. Here's my thank you pic I made thanking Kevin for the great gift.

[kenhwind]

I have both of these also. The Haven & Belden book was part of the NRA "Firearms Classics Library" which I never finished getting the whole set. I did get about 40 books though.

The Serven book is probably a reprint, and not an original volume.

I've read through both of them and as with most earlier Colt books they lean towards the black powder percussion revolvers. One of them covers the Colt Company quite extensively IIRC. I'm no expert but feel that the data is probably accurate, but as with any subject the data might be subject to mistakes and corrections.

[Malysh]

Thanks Walther, for the good information. Thanks as well to Rick and Ken. I have wondered if the Haven & Belden book was worth getting.
Matt, what can I say? I just about fell off my chair laughing at the picture

[haggis]

Matt couldn't show us the rest of his face. Something about the fragility of the camera...

Buck

[nightshade2x]

Wyatt - booger hook off the trigger till ready to fire

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x