Larry S. Sterett | Contributing Editor
BLUE BOOK OF GUN VALUES, 35th Anniversary Edition, by S.P. Fjestad. ©2014. Published by Blue Book Publications, Inc., Dept. TGM, 8009 34th Ave. S., Ste. 250, Minneapolis, MN 55425. Price: $54.95, plus postage. Also available as an online subscription and on CD-ROM, at: bluebookofgunvalues.com
This thick 2,512-page softbound volume may not be the apex of books on current gun values, but it is definitely right up there. Not only does it feature over 180,000 prices, including many updates on antique, current, and discontinued gun models, it covers the products of over 1,500 various arms manufacturers, from 2 Vets Arms Co., LLC, to Zombie Defense.
Brief histories are provided for many of the firms, and while not every model of every known manufacturer is listed, all the known major models are covered. Pump action shotguns produced in France by Manufrance of St. Etienne, were imported into the US in the 1960s era and the actions were used by at least a couple of US manufacturers/distributors as the basis for their line of shotguns. However, under the Manufrance heading only the semi-auto and over/under models are listed. (Some of the economy models previously sold by catalog stores and small chains, such as Aldens, Gambles, Holiday, Western Auto, etc. may not be listed specifically, but can sometimes be located under another listing, or a similar model being sold by a different firm. (If not listed, check the Store Brand Cross-Over List near the rear of the volume. Aldens, Gamble Skogmo, and Western Auto can be located here, in addition to several other brand names.) Often these low-priced models are worth only what they can be sold for as a hunting model, or what the local market will bear.
Individual arms models are not illustrated, with the exception of the 80-page Photo Percentage Grading System and NRA Condition Standards located about mid-way through the tome. A good representation of sporting and military style handguns, rifles, and shotguns are shown in full color, along with a percentage dial indicating the grade of finish. (The NRA system does not feature the percentage dial.) Models illustrated range from zero percent finish to NIB (New in box.), and the photos are excellent.
Other valuable features of this latest Blue Book volume include a Trademark Index, with addresses, a glossary, listings of abbreviations, museums, firearms/shooting organizations, conservation organizations, reference sources, an index, and the extremely useful serialization and proof marks sections. Serial number series are not available for every firm, but those of over 20 firms are provided, at least in part, which is a start. Proof marks illustrated are from proof houses in Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. (The United States does not have proof houses, as such, although individual manufacturers may proof their firearms “in house.”)
This is an excellent volume for all persons interested in current gun values, be they collector, dealer, museum curator, insurance agent, etc. Illustrations of some of the various firearms would be nice, but not an absolute necessity. A bit more information on individual arms would be useful, but unless a model is available for examination it may not be possible. As an example, the German firm of Walther has produced some fine handguns since being established in 1886, in addition to a few rimfire rifle models. The firm also produced a few side/side shotguns and for a decade—1921-1931—an autoloading 12-gauge shotgun. Unfortunately, this tome only lists the gauge, chamber length, barrel length, safety type, and stock and the type of stock and forearm wood—walnut. It would have been useful to know the method of action operation—recoil, gas, etc.
