Review by Larry S. Sterett | Contributing Editor
BLUE BOOK OF AIRGUNS, 11th Edition, by Robert D. Beeman and John B. Allen. Edited by S.P. Fjectad. ©2014. Published by Blue Book Publications, Inc., Dept. TGM, 8009 34th Avenue South, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55425. Price: $29.95 (softback) or $44.95 (hardback), plus shipping. Available in most bookstores.
This 736-page, 59½-ounce softbound volume is definitely the ‘Bible’ on the subject. The various airguns are listed in ear–tabbed alphabetized sections from A through X-Y-Z. (The first arm listed is the Air-O-Matic Gallery Pistol and the final entry is for ZOS (Nantong Universal Optical Instrument Co., LTD). Most, but not all, of the airguns are illustrated with a black and white photograph of a specific model to aid in identification. The photos are clear and sharp to provide details, and where an unusual feature may be present, additional photos are sometimes provided. An example is the lever action DeMoulin series Model 27 Water Shooter produced by Daisy back in the 1926-35 era for use in the Rough Masonic Initiation ceremony. Definitely different.
Located near the beginning of this excellent tome is an eight-page section, with full color photos, titled the ‘Gaylord Reports,’ by Tom Gaylord. Sub-titled “2014: What Are They Doing Now?” it provides insight on the current status of the airgun industry, or what’s new and exciting in airguns. (Airguns are sometimes mistakenly thought of as “kid’s guns.” Not so! Lewis & Clark had at least one airgun with them on their Journey of Exploration, and many of today’s target and hunting airguns can carry a price tag equal or exceeding that of a rifle or handgun using metallic cartridges.) Handguns or rifles, there are a number of new products available for airgunners, including a good number of look-alikes of popular cartridge guns. There’s even a Makarov Ultra blowback version of the standard Makarov BB pistol currently available from Umarex.
Grading of the airguns is via a seven-step percentage condition system, from 100% down to 20%. This is explained in an Airgun Grading Criteria section, and an eight-page full color illustrated section following the Gaylord Reports. Even a Daisy Model 25 in 20% overall condition from the World War I era could be worth as much as $60.00 retail. (Over 20 million Model 25 airguns in some 58 variants were produced over a 65-year period.)
In addition to the usual Foreword and Introduction, other features of this gem include a How To Use This Book, an illustrated Anatomy of an Airgun section, an excellent Glossary, a translation of British/American airgun terms (We may both speak English, but it’s not quite the same language in all respects.), a listing of abbreviations, information on appraisals, a Trademark Index plus regular index, a listing of store brand cross-over models, and a listing of airgun literature for those airgunners interested in pursuing the subject a bit further.
You may not find every model of airgun ever manufactured in this volume, or an illustration of your favorite model, but there are not many models or brands missing. If you have any interest at all in airguns, you need this volume on your reference shelf. It’s valuable for the individual airgun owner, dealer, collector, or even a museum curator.
