Ian McCollum's Newest Book "Small Arms of WWII" is shipping

[D.B. Cooper]

I just received my autographed copy of Ian McCollum's newest work Small Arms of WWII: United States of America and it's phenomenal. Three inches thick and weighs about ten pounds, beautifully illustrated, and very detailed. Close up photos of proof marks, military acceptance stamps, etc. etc. There are guns in there I never heard of-and I already fancied myself as something of an amateur expert on WWII. This will make an excellent reference work for the collector-especially when one considers how many faked antique/vintage firearms are on the market. (The Winchester Models 97 and 12 trench guns come immediately to mind.) For the casual history buff, it may be a little steep in price at $128, but for even the not-so-serious collector, it's a bargain at twice the price.

WW2-USA — Headstamp Publishing

www.headstamppublishing.com

PS: I have absolutely no affiliation with Ian McCollum whatsoever. He doesn't even know I exist. I've just been a fan of his work for many years, and I think some of you, especially if you're a historian like myself, will really appreciate the work he has done here.

 

[tark]

Thanks for posting this. I'm drooling on my keyboard... Order placed...

 

[troy fairweather]

Nice should be a good read, never have The money for these nice books tho.

 

[CapnMac]

Got mine a week or so ago.

The glossy paper seems to have the supremely clear photos immersed in them.

Everything about this tome speaks to high standards, binding, end caps, etc.

It's Folio-sized, 13x11, which gives it wonderful size (if not one to easily fit 9" bookcase shelves)


It's a heavy thing, too, probably near twice as heavy as my similar Canfield volume

 

[Mosin77]

Got mine a week or so ago.
View attachment 1184650
The glossy paper seems to have the supremely clear photos immersed in them.
View attachment 1184648
Everything about this tome speaks to high standards, binding, end caps, etc.
View attachment 1184651
It's Folio-sized, 13x11, which gives it wonderful size (if not one to easily fit 9" bookcase shelves)
View attachment 1184652
View attachment 1184649
It's a heavy thing, too, probably near twice as heavy as my similar Canfield volume
View attachment 1184653

How does it compare to Canfield? (You knew somebody would ask!)

 

[CapnMac]

How does it compare to Canfield? (You knew somebody would ask!)

Canfield covers more on variants and doctrine, as he generally does. The photos are more to enhance the text, rather than the reverse in Ian's tome. Canfield covers pretty much every arm a Regiment might field, like grenades, mortars and the like; Ian's boot is more about Battalion-level items. Canfield's volume does not include serial number ranges, production data charts, but he has those in more specialized volumes of individual arms. Bith are very detailed, each in their own way.

They have very individual writing styles, one is not really better than the other; they are just different.
Where archive photos are used in Ian's book, they are captions, but the citation also include the original captioning, too, which is a fascinating bit of attention to detail.

To my thinking, a good reference library wants both, even at the cost of each.

 

[jobu07]

I got my copy in the mail last week. It sits on my desk beckoning to me... urging me to ignore other requirements that are taking my time and spend a just a few moments turning the glossy pages.

I'm excited to add his book to my library. One can never have too many high quality reference materials.

 

[CapnMac]

urging me to ignore other requirements that are taking my time and spend a just a few moments turning the glossy pages.

And those pages will draw you to the text, and "just one more page" becomes an entire afternoon . . .

 

[larry7293]

$98 for the unsigned copy.

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

I received my copy on Monday, and am totally happy with my purchase!!! I got the unsigned copy, and it is amazing. I am a veteran, and have used many of the guns described. I am also a history buff and have an associates degree from Senoran Desert Institute, and it is a great book, and a great addition to my collection

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

This book only covers weapons used by the United States, correct? From the first paragraph it might lead one to believe that it covers all small arms used in WWII.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

This book only covers weapons used by the United States, correct? From the first paragraph it might lead one to believe that it covers all small arms used in WWII.

It's the first of a series that is planned. I'm not sure which one will come out next (Germany? Russia? Japan?), but he has already published his first work, Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866 to 2016, so I wouldn't be surprised if the next in the series was France as he has already done some of the research. Indeed, he could probably copy/paste the WWII section of that book, which would really only be the MAS 36 bolt action rifle, and then expand on that. Then again, it would be a better juxtaposition (and, dare I say, sell better) to have an Axis power as the second in the series. If it were me, I'd probably do Germany next as there is a much larger body of work already done on German weapons from that era to support the research.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Thanks for the clarification. I have a good selection of Japanese Arisaka's and bayonets and while I have a good deal of information about them it would be nice to have it in a bound book like that. I will order a copy of this book after the Christmas madness is finished.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I have a good selection of Japanese Arisaka's and bayonets...

If you're interested in Asian edged weapons, his publishing company, Headstamp Publishing, released a book titled Swords of the Emperor last year, which covers Japanese swords to 1877-1945. (So, roughly the period of the Meiji Restoration which ushered in the rapid industrialization that helped bring about the Second World War int eh Pacific.) McCollum isn't the author, and, while I haven't seen a copy, I suspect the work is likely of comparable quality to that of McCollum's two books.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

This book only covers weapons used by the United States, correct? From the first paragraph it might lead one to believe that it covers all small arms used in WWII.

It's the first of a series that is planned. I'm not sure which one will come out next (Germany? Russia? Japan?)...

He just announced that the next book in the series, to released later this year, will be on guns of the Soviet Union.

State of the Channel: 2024

The best way to support Forgotten Weapons is to subscribe to History of Weapons & War:weaponsandwar.tvMy books are available from Headstamp Publishing:https:...

www.youtube.com

 

[BreechFace]

Just received my Ian signed book of US Small Arms of WII. Figured what the heck, I'll pay $20 for his signature. Maybe it will be worth something someday.

I still need to get Vickers Guide to the AK47 Vol 2. They've been out of stock.

 

[BreechFace]

His Chassepot to FAMAS: French Miltiary Rifle book is fantastic.

I do like the French WWII rifles be it the MAS-36 or the MAS-49.