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Cornell Publications
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August 2020 Newsletter 

hole
Dig a Hole!
One Sunday my five year old son came up to me and asked "Dad, can we go outside and dig a hole?" At the time I thought it was a funny and silly request, but now I wonder if this project is what he had in his young mind.
For over 15 years our newsletter has gone to more than 50,000 Firearms Collectors, Enthusiasts, Historians and Professionals Worldwide. We now reprint over 6000 Vintage Gun Catalogs, Books and Manuals from the 1840s to the 2000s 
Calls From The Wildsfeds
Back issues: you can view the newsletter on our website. For a downloadable copy of our catalog of reprints or manuals this will take you there. Also, we have Interesting downloads at our website. Please forward this letter to your friends.
 
Most Internet Browsers – Firefox, Edge, Opera etc – have decided to truncate, or cut off, the bottoms of long emails. There is a tiny note at the bottom allowing you to retrieve the rest of the email. Rob and Abby
 

riot

____________________________________
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
(now, don't get excited, this is just a joke and pokes fun at all sides equally)
DONALD TRUMP: I've been told by my many sources, good sources - they're very good sources - that the chicken crossed the road. All the Fake News wants to do is write nasty things about the road, but it's a really good road. It's a beautiful road. Everyone knows how beautiful it is.
JOE BIDEN: Why did the chicken do the...thing in the...you know the rest.
SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because, gosh-darn it, he's a maverick!
BARACK OBAMA: Let me be perfectly clear, if the chickens like their eggs they can keep their eggs. No chicken will be required to cross the road to surrender her eggs. Period.
AOC: Chickens should not be forced to lay eggs! This is because of corporate greed! Eggs should be able to lay themselves.
HILLARY CLINTON: What difference at this point does it make why the chicken crossed the road.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either with us or against us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.
AL GORE: I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white?
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he is acting by not taking on his current problems before adding any new problems.
ANDERSON COOPER: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

line

 What a great idea and probably a heck of a lot less expensive that 87 individual lights at each intersection!
trAFFIC SIGNALS
thanks to John Campbell
line
 
Arlington Cemetery Inspection

Inspection

thanks to Jim Buchanon

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I Read it in the Papers...xx
 Goodyear "Wrangler" label stopped in tracks on the new Ford Bronco
Bronco error
The 2021 Ford Bronco will be in fierce competition with its primary adversary in the off road SUV segment, the Jeep Wrangler, so it stands to reason that Ford wouldn’t want the name Wrangler emblazoned on the new Bronco that is being resurrected after 24 years amid much anticipation from fans.
 
Ford has asked the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. to eliminate the name of its Goodyear Wrangler tires from the Bronco Tires. Ford confirmed the move recently, after it was reported by auto news website Motor1. “Goodyear has removed the name Wrangler from the outboard side of the Tire’ said a Ford spokesman. “The tires will still have the branding on the inboard side of the tire.” This change will affect “all Broncos that come equipped with this specific tire.” He said.
Rob Mouatcure

The Stevens Battle of 1896
Someone recently told me some pages were missing from an 1896 Stevens catalog we offer. It took a couple of email exchanges for me to try to understand what was missing before I noted that fact on the webpage.
 
Because we freely admit we don’t know everything about every gun or gun manufacturer1896 or firearms related fact from the last 200 years, when we first receive a donation or loan, we look for confirming dates inside the piece, check to see if all pages seem to be present, ask the owner what he knows and eventually decide on a date and description. The date we decide on can be either “c”, short of circa, or about, or the actual date if we are reasonably certain about our information.
 
We can be wrong, however, and usually an informed individual helps us sort out mistakes. But… we have to be reassured the person who offers a change actually knows whereof he speaks. Frequently, people make idle comments about publications that are just wrong, so we do probe a bit before we make alterations.
 
The Stevens catalog is a case in point. Mr. J. B. Barnes started the correspondence about the missing pages, “Received the catalog today. Was disappointed because, A few pages were missing. The model 94 Ideal was not included. Only parts were listed for this model.   Will give positive feedback as you probably copied from A original catalog with missing pages.  JB”. I probed a bit and Mr. Barnes answered “I edit the Stevens section of The Standard Catalog Of Firearms published by Gun Digest. Stevens made the Model 44 Ideal from 1893 to shortly after world war two. I am sure pages were missing from your copy.  Still giving positive feedback.  J.B. Barnes,   50 year Stevens collector.” That was certainly confirmation of his credentials so all that was left was to clarify which gun he was discussing.
 
To help me understand the shortcomings of our reprint he referred me to an ASSRA forum 2018 discussion about that catalog.
 
Forums sometimes irk the Hell out of me because bloviators, often with no knowledge of which they speak, criticize and condemn shamelessly. In this forum a “Bill Lawrence” says, in part: “But having unsuccessfully tussled with Cornell's owner over the accuracy of her publications…”, he goes on imply that our cover and size of the reprint were not correct. By the way, we have no record of anyone named Bill or William Lawrence buying anything from us. Later, he goes so far as to say “Last, my own advice with regard to Cornell is that the business clearly has more interest in making money than in being accurate, so take Cornell's reprints, especially their attributed dates, with a pinch of salt.”
Not to be outdone, “Redsetter” chimes in with “Very disappointed in quality of the two I just received--clearly run off on a photocopy machine.  Pretty obvious, furthermore, that they're copies of old, high-contrast, photocopies, not originals--the kind that the first-generation machines of the '60s produced. And for what they are, compared to those produced by offset printing which sell for about the prices, they aren't cheap.” A nice, concise, sweeping condemnation of everything we do, thanks.
 
xxSo, this is my answer to those snarky comments. Records show we have sold fewer than six copies of the Stevens 1896 reprint in the last 15 years, we're not going to get rich on that deal. In fact, we spend around $220 a month advertising reprints on ebay we have never sold or have only sold a few of in the 15 years. Furthermore, we never have promised to reprint any of our over 6000 old publications in exactly the correct size, paper or binding.
 
We source some rare reprints from old photocopies although, naturally, we prefer originals. We obviously do not have access to every pristine copy of every original ever printed. We make do with what we can find to preserve the information. “Redsetter” and “Bill Lawrence”, if they had seen our reprint of the 1896 Stevens (for the extortionate sum of $12.95) would have noticed that the first page of the reprint is a copy of the cover of the original (see above)- dated 1896. We made a nicer image for our reprint cover (also above). Oh yes, if Bill Lawrence knew how hard we work in our retirement to preserve and make available this information he wouldn’t be so sniffy about our money-grubbing ways!
 
My request is for help, if you can, don’t just hide out on a forum and criticize… (I better send this newsletter before Abby sees it!) 😊
Arms Heritage
AH Logo
 
The editors have decided to retire Arms Heritage Magazine (not Cornell Publications, as some have misunderstood) with the December 2020 issue after 10 years and 60 issues of publication. They have stopped active solicitation of subscribers and renewal notices. However, some people may wish to subscribe since active subscribers will have access to all back issues in the Archives section, that access will remain throughout the period of the subscription. We are proud to have published more than 200 articles, each written by the foremost authorities in their fields.

If you wish to have a permanent library copy, subscribers can go to the website and download the pdf version, it can then be saved to a CD, thumb drive, your computer’s storage or even printed, although, be warned, printing takes a lot of ink!

Meanwhile thanks to all of those who have supported us over the years.

Dick Salzer, editor
 
This is the latest, August issue, available now:
 
Aug AHM
 
Rants and Ravesbugs
Ranter
Ordered this magazine (Colt 1981 Python Manual and Colt 1981 Firearms Catalog) to check on 1981 python there’s nuthin in there but junk it don’t even show the special edition gun I have wouldn’t recommend no one to use this place this money was just a 18$ ripoff I hope u enjoy cheating people. Gregg Owens, Loris, S.C.

 
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Ref: Astra Imperial c1968 Shotgun Flyer/Manual for $6.76. My order was suppose too be here by. July 9th well here it is July 14th . Have not heard anything from you,I want to know where it is . If I don’t here from you within the next 24 hours I will take action. Your company is terrible and I will tell everyone bout this problem cause you could of let me know something item # 371145961706 order#16-0527579787. jamia17 (ebay of course)
 
Hi Janet, Well now, let's see what we can do. You placed the order on the 23rd and we shipped it on the 26th within the 5-8 days we promise. Tracking shows the package is in Atlanta! I'm sure you can imagine we have a lot of work to do just keeping up with orders and so cannot follow every package we send out, hence the tracking information we sent you when it shipped. Now, why they sent it to Atlanta when we are in Michigan about ten miles from you I have no clue, other than that the pandemic has done terrible things to the post office. What to do? We could make you wait for delivery but, because we are not a "terrible company", we will send you another copy tomorrow, how's that? Sincerely, Rob for cornellpubs
 
Well this sounds like a threat to me when you give a date from July 2 Thur July 9 and it never shows or no notice not even tracking # well that is doing terrible busy. So don’t threaten me again Janet- jamia17
 
Dear Janet, I can tell you are distraught so I will try to help. This is the USPS tracking number for the first shipment: “xxx” which was automatically sent, at the time you purchased the item, to the email address you have listed at eBay, via our shipping program, Stamps.com, I told you your package is stuck in Atlanta but I have no idea why other than the post office is having horrific problems with the pandemic. I printed you a replacement copy this morning and it will go out in the next post, tracking number “xxx”. Meanwhile, I know this is a difficult time for many people so I refunded your $6.76 too. Let’s hope these accommodations make everything better. Best wishes, Rob for cornellpubs
 
NO
 
Hi Janet (jamia17 – ebay of course), I see from the tracking that the first package we sent you was delivered today (tracking # xxx). I have no idea why it went to Atlanta then back to Howell, the next town over from where it started! The one we sent yesterday is due for delivery Saturday (tracking # xxx)- both for free- no cost to you! I hope that takes care of your distress over the whole transaction.
 
I might add that, as you are new to eBay, if you have a problem with a seller on eBay, the best thing to do is to politely ask them for help resolving the issue, starting off with a punch in the nose usually doesn’t work, especially if the issue is the post office being slow during the pandemic. Anyway, I hope you are happy with the Astra manual and now you don’t think of us as being a “terrible company”, I wish you good luck. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs
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Next doofus...
This chap (vie-8392 - ebay) gave us a neutral on ebay because shipping delivery was slow. We asked him to remove the neutral but he refused, so, after we proved to ebay we were not to blame they removed the neutral (and the entire sale, as far as we can see), I wrote to him:
 
Hi Tim, I can see with fairly few feedbacks you are sort of new to eBay so now that the neutral rating you gave us has been removed I want to share with you why. You see, eBay doesn't allow less than positive ratings for issues with the post office beyond the seller's control. If we can show them tracking information that we shipped the item on time it indicates to them that we completed our obligation.

In future, if you have a shipping issue with a seller it is best to contact the seller and let them see what they can do to sort out the problem. That saves everyone a bunch of time and trouble and usually ends well for you, the buyer. That is how we got over 20,000 positive feedbacks, although I confess this year has been a little bit of an exception with everyone stuck at home and on edge! Good luck in the future, Rob for cornellpubs
 
You my good friend are an idiot for writing me repeatedly about this. You are crying about a review that was honest and blaming shipping during covid 19 that clearly was not the blame. You are to blame for shipping the way you did. You suck! You bitch and pester people to try and sway the review. Good luck with your little EBAY business Cornholepubs. vie-8392 (ebay)
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I know how Mr. Murphy felt! Rob...
W.H. Murphy testing the bulletproof vest in 1923
murphy
Rob Mouat
Letters From Readerscure
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So sorry to read that ye are shutting down, But I guess all good things have to come to an end . If it were not for you I would never have gotten my hands on a the owners manual for my Walther rifle which was produced pre war. I can never thank you enough for that, I’ve always looked forward to your newsletter and never been disappointed by it. Thank you for all the information and entertainment which ye have provided to me . I wish you a happy retirement. John
 
Hi John, I’m happy to say it isn’t the end of Cornellpubs. However, Arms Heritage Magazine, run,by Dick Salzer in Texas, is closing at the end of the year. We will still gladly accept any payment you wish to make with us! Cheers, Rob
 
Ah that's fantastic! (must re-read in future before commenting). Still I'm glad to reappraise your services! John
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Abby: Every time I read your newsletter and the complaints you include I think some people are just plain ungrateful. I have had excellent experience with Cornell Publications. I accumulate (rather than collect) old Colt revolvers with oddball calibers like .32-20 or .32 Police. Whenever I get a new acquisition I determine when it was made and order that year's catalogue from you. Your reprints are first class, as faithful to the originals as possible, and add to my enjoyment of firearms history. And, I've recommended Cornell Publications to fellow enthusiasts. Many thanks. Rob Fates
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Just a counter point to that remarkably weird Carl Sagan comment (Letters from Readers, July 2020 referring to a brief video by Carl Sagan from June 2020- ed). Not only have I read most of Sagan's written since I was in high school, I met him.  Yeah, I liked him.  Admired him as well for his clear thinking and innovative/galactic-scale insights. On the other hand, I'm not too fond of people who insist on pretentiously plastering titles upon their names (the writer last month identified himself as "Esq."- ed) in correspondence where the title is completely irrelevant.  Which is why I don't plaster mine on.  Ever.  Even when it is related to my field, as Sagan's was.  It's been my experience that if people are so insecure that they have to wave such credentials, it turns out the credentials are, um, undeserved. I wonder if he's a flat earther.  FE hates Sagan (and every other real scientist) with a passion. Chris Lewis
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Hello my name is James Leonard . I just ordered your Anschutz 1967 Catalog (German, English, French, Italian) from Ebay , I realized its written in 4 languages and just want to make sure I can read mine in english. i didnt see any place to make a choice when I ordered. Im looking forward to receiving and reading this , thanks again.
 
Hello James, Not to worry, the catalog has all four languages in each copy. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs
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Good afternoon, Abby; I very recently received the ARMS HERITAGE MAGAZINE - Volume 9, All Six Issues , along with the rest of my order, and I’m delighted to tell you that I found the text to be excellent in all respects. I have one request: could you please notify me as new Annual Arms Heritage become available so that place my order? Regards, Darrell Murray
 
Hi Darrell, I'm glad you like the AH annual. The current year is the last after a ten year run and they don't plan an other annual. I may, however, assemble one from the monthly issues and that would, necessarily include most of the advertising the monthlies feature.
 
Regarding notifying folks when things become available, I'm afraid we just can't do that. With over 6000 selections and 50,000 customers worldwide you can imagine the requests we get! With only two of us doing this as a retirement "hobby" we have to allow just a few minutes a day to ourselves. We announce new publications in our monthly newsletter. Best, Abby
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Dear Sir, The problem with this manual (Mauser c1971 Luger Auto Pistol Parabellum Manual ) is that the reproduction quality is pretty bad, much worse than the other manual I got from you.  I'm not sure whether you just have very poor scans of the original, or whether your scans were fine, but the printing quality is poor.  I have seen an original copy of this manual and your copy is very poor quality in comparison.  The images are all washed out and blurry, and the printed words are not as clear as they might be.  
Glenn Ward
 
Dear Glenn, Abby and I reprint over 6000 old publications and some of them are lousy because that is all we had to work with. We try to make that clear in the description. The Luger manual, on the other hand, is not bad. It is likely you just got a bum copy so, I'll send you another hoping it meets with your approval, but as we often tell people, we don't make forgeries of originals, we make acceptable copies for the information they contain, not necessarily for a display centerpiece. Cheers, Rob
 
Dear Rob, I wanted to let you know that I got the replacement manual today and it was exactly what I was initially expecting.  MUCH better print quality.  Night and day difference.  I guess you just had a printer problem with the previous manual. Thanks very much for your great customer service. Glenn
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Sirs, Regarding Peabody Rifles 1865 Catalog - Providence Tool Co, Can you be more specific about contents? Does it give short account of Providence Tool? Does it list model options? Does it list available calibers? Does it list available accessories, loading tools etc.? Does it give short account of Peabody history? Thanks, Brian

Hi Brian, Gosh, I'm sorry. We added that piece in 2005 and I never knew it didn't have an "index" like the others. I'll fix that right away Cheers, Abby

Abby, No problems. Yes, I can only imagine the communique quality that you experience. I will be ordering that 1865 edition. I believe it may be a valuable data resource for me because I am a small collector with one of that year of firearms.  I eventually plan to collect an 1870 model in the future and will require it's catalog as well at that time. Enjoy the weekend. Brian
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Re: Marlin-Browning M1917 Machine Gun (Potato Digger- M1895). Hello! I'm looking for good scale drawings of the 1895 machine gun to build a mock up. Does this manual have any other drawings like the one in the ad? I need stuff like the width of the receiver, etc. Thanks! beethe36 (ebay)
 
Hello beethe- No, this is a soldier's handbook, not a book of machinist's blueprints, it does have a nice side view diagram as illustrated though. Rob for cornellpubs
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We get dozens of requests like this due to the mail slowdowns attributable to the virus and other problems, here are a few notable ones:
 
Hello - I was wondering what the status of my book order is, can you give me an update ? Jeff
 
We researched his order and resent his tracking information…
 
Hello, Got it later the same day, thanks. Jeff
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Wondering where this order might be, yet to be delivered. Departed Detroit over a week ago. Thanks, Doyle
 
Sorry, post is slow due to the virus and other problems postal tracking no: 9400111xxx , Abby
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I recently bought a star Model B booklet and the 1st time USPS lost it....no worries I contacted you guys and right away sent me a new one. Very Very good customer service. Very disheartening and disappointing to read the things people send you guys. I can tell you guys work extremely hard. Anyway just wanted to say THANK YOU! Ricardo
Hello, This package has not arrived yet arrived. Why?? Jason Young
 
Hi Jason, The mail is slow due to the virus and other postal problems. See the tracking we sent you with the order confirmation… No.: xxx Best, Abby
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Hello Abby! My name is Riley and I'm a new collector in Colorado. I recently came across some Redfield sights and I've been trying to do some research on them. Finding information on Redfield prior to their acquisition has proven to be rather difficult - until I found your website!
 
I saw your collection of REDFIELD catalogues and I would love to have the reprint containing the sights I own but I don't know anything about them. Is there any way you could share a preview of the catalogues with me? Or perhaps I could give you product/model numbers and you could help me find them? I understand you have the integrity of your products to protect so if there's any other options or alternatives you can think of that would be greatly appreciated! I'm just at a loss and this is the first bit of hope I've found. Thank you so much for your time, Riley
 
Hi Riley, There is a limit to the amount of research we can offer customers but if you send a list of what you have, we should be able to tell you which catalogs they were advertised in. Best, Abby
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Hello, I am contacting you as I am looking into my family history and gathering information about my direct ancestor Isaac Hollis. I am interested in this catalog but sadly cannot get it shipped to my address in London. My hope is you can find a way to ship this my London address or conversely email me a PDF for my eyes only. I wish to know more about this man and this business to keep this part of history alive in my family. I hope this message finds you well. Best, Dan Quinlan
 
Hello Dan, While we no longer ship overseas through our eBay account you can get a copy on our website. Hollis rings a bell with me. If my memory serves me correctly, perhaps 12 or 15 years ago an architect who had bought the Hollis house (on the Thames?) wanted a copy of the catalog for his restoration. I can't recall his name but that is something you might look into for your research. Cheers, Rob Mouat for cornellpubs
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Greetings, Cornellpubs, I've bought catalog reprints from you before, and just bought two more, and have always been happy with the quality, and good service. Do you know if you have any Clayton and Lambert catalogs from around 1926-1930? I'm seeking information on two camp stoves I have from that period, the Clayton and Lambert #3. This stove was patented in 1929, but "Patent Pending" models were made and sold after 1926.It's an amazing stove, that was made for the high end market. But, due to the Stock Market Crash, of 1929, very few of these stoves were made, apparently. I would very much be interested in buying any information you might have on these stoves, and hope such information might be found within your offerings. I'm including one photo of one of my #3 stoves, working. Thank you for any help you can offer, and I hope we get to do business again, soon! Take care, and God Bless!  Every Good Wish, Mark R.
 
Hi Mark, This is kind of awkward to explain to a nice customer, but the fact is we can't do research for specific items through our ebay account. The problem is that only about half out 6000+ reprints are on ebay and, inevitably, the item you seek is in one of the catalogs not on ebay. We no longer add to ebay and we are not allowed by ebay rules to refer you to our website. So, I am sad to say, I can't help find the stove for you. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs
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Hi Abby, I have been subscribed to you for years. I love to read the idiot rants. Best, Arnie
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RE: Smith & Wesson 1941 Revolvers - Catalog . What information or details does this catalog have of each revolver? chevyss58
 
Hi Chevy, I'm not sure what you are asking, I know you don't expect me to go through the entire catalog and list all the specs for some 20 or so models. If you scroll down in the ad you can see all the models listed in the catalog. Rob for cornellpubs
 
That is not what I meant. Is it a sales brochure? An identification guide? chevyss58
 
Chevy, It is a catalog of guns they offered in that year. Think of going to a car dealer to look at Chevys. The dealer would give you a catalog of the Chevys GM was making that year. Like the car catalog that lists engines, transmissions, radios and other options so does the catalog describes the revolvers- calibers, barrel lengths, grips etc that S&W made in 1941. Does that clear it up for you? Rob for cornellpubs
 
Perfect. Thank you much. If the one I have is a 1941 model I am interested in buying, but not sure how to check. I need to get the serial looked at to see if I can more precisely date it. Thank you much. chevyss58
 
Chevy, Catalogs never contained serial numbers because the guns had not yet been made when the catalog was printed. Google Smith & Wesson serial numbers for that information. Rob for cornellpubs
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Dear Abby, I hope that this email finds you well. I am wondering if I could order digital files rather than a reprinted copy of a few of your Abercrombie and Fitch catalogues from the 1930s. I am a PhD student (art history) doing research on an arts and crafts coop (The Blackfeet Arts and Crafts Coop in Browning Montana). In the mid 1930s, the Coop sold some of their attire through the Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue. So, I would be interested in looking at the clothing sections of the mid-late 1930s catalogues in hopes that I might locate pictures of their work. Would it be possible for me to see the digital files of the clothing section, as I do not need a reprint of the full catalogue?  Of course I would be happy to pay for the digital files (and I do not intend to reprint them). Warmly, Heather Caverhill
 
Dear Heather, The A&F catalogs we have are almost entirely sporting goods and clothing. I'll attach a Word file of the 1936 section of clothes. Tell me if this is the sort of thing you are looking for. By the way, it is much faster for us to print the titles than to extract pages, a common request, so this is really a favor for your project. Cheers, Abby

 
Dear Abby, Yes, the clothing section is exactly what I would like to look at. Wow! Thank you so much for sending this! (I did not see what I am searching for in this particular catalogue, but perhaps they are in one of the 1937 or 1938 catalogues.) As I mentioned, I am happy to pay for the extracted pages as it sounds like it is labour intensive. Let me know how to proceed. Many thanks again! Heather
 
Hello Heather, I pulled the clothing pages from all the A&F catalogs from the 30s (less the 1930) and made them into one document.  The reason I did all of them is that the fellow who dated them later told me he wasn't completely certain of the dates and I've been too lazy to make them c1934 etc. If you are a starving student the work is free. If it is underwritten by people who can afford it the charge is $100 and I'll send you a paypal bill. Oh yes, because this won't go by email I'll send it by wetransfer dot com. Cheers, Abby
 
blanketDear Abby, thank you so so much for these!! Also, thank you for your kind offer. I am definitely a starving student  (how could you tell)? Unfortunately, on my first scan, I did not find the items that I am searching for. But, I do have a good sense of the catalogues now and the kinds of things that were also for sale at the time. Again, thank you so much for this. Warmly, Heather
 
Heather, What sort of things were you looking for? During the 1930s many makers and companies were selling similar merchandise and sometimes retailers were also wholesalers or had relationships with other companies. There is a remote possibility I may have an idea that might help... an image would be useful. Cheers, Abby (see adjacent images she sent)

jackets
Heather, I'm sorry, I can't find a thing for you. I searched by entering each year from 1931 to 1940 in our search bar, then scouring the results for possible retailers who might have sold buckskin jackets- Abercrombie, Von Lenerke, Folsom, Hudson etc and not one was successful.
 
I suspect the retailers felt it was a little soon after the Indian wars to feature native goods through national print. That sentiment was being fanned by scores of B movies of the 30s featuring cowboy/Indian skirmishes few of which flattered the Indians.
 
On the other hand the A&F store in New York was enormous and could well have sold Indian goods to effete New Yorkers far removed from the sentiments of "middle America". Of course, there were small retailers around the country who issued small mailers attempting to reach customers who lived too far away to visit the store regularly, they might have sold buckskins to their customers by mail. I may be "talking through my hat" here but that is, to me, a very plausible explanation. I'm sorry I was of no more help. Best wishes, Abby
 
Hi Abby, Again, thank you so much for your insights/investigation. I so appreciate your help, you are too kind! Heather
 
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Abby, Thank you for sending parcel first class. It matches the care you put into this. Ray
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My name is Charlie Livingston. I am interested in information on Carr Bro’s shotguns. They are originally from Huddersfield England. Any help is appreciated. Charlie
 
Readers, any help here?
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Hi Abby, The Post Office finally figured out where I live and just delivered the Winchester 1902 January Repeating Arms Co. Catalog I ordered a while back. All well and good, including the page you told me about, devoted to the .32 Winchester Special. Here's the odd kicker - In this catalog, they list the .32 Winchester Special as being available ONLY in the 1894 take down model! According to the January catalog, my rifle wasn't available. I suspect that, as usual, engineering and marketing didn't talk to each other. The .32 WS take down model was ready when they went to press and the 1894 Rifle wasn't (my guess anyway). The serial number of my rifle, 251XXX, tracks to 1902, so my next guess is that it shows up in the June catalog. So, right about now, you'll find a new order from me for the June 1902 Winchester catalog. You might want to add that oddity to your knowledge of odd bits. Enjoy and be well, Jeff Sobel
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Thank you, Sir, for the help that you have given me this is in reference to the 51m 22 MOSSBERG have a fantastic day. Herman Hicks
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Rob, Thank you very much and I will wait for my order to arrive and again, thank you for you quick response and shipment. John
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Re: Dixon, James & Sons 1883 Catalog (Sheffield UK) Rob / Abby, Thanks both for a quick and easy transaction. Kind regards, David
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RE: Hawes 1975 Gun Catalog . Is this a reproduction manual for the western marshal? Blve (Ebay)
 
Hello blve, No, this is a catalog of firearms the company offered in 1975. The Western Marshall is featured in the catalog but it isn't a manual for the gun. Rob for cornellpubs
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The last catalog was bent on the corners. I clamped it between wood blocks to straighten it out. I think it will be OK but it did not arrive in great condition. I hope this next one does better. All the best, Kurt  300jk (ebay)
 
Hi Kurt, I am sorry, but I'm glad you fixed it. Abby and I do our best to protect items we sell at a postage rate people will pay. Sometimes we wish we could sandwich everything in 1/4" plate steel but we can't, so, we take our chances and most things, packed with cardboard, go through with no damage. Of course, the pandemic has had its toll on the post office and with them running shorthanded for both maintenance and processors more things are suffering. We'll do our best, however. Cheers, Rob
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Ref: Sears, Roebuck & Co. 1903 Gun Section Catalog . Thank you Abby (bot?) I received the publication, it was very nice but. . . . not what I thought I ordered.  I though it was the 1904 catalog with the Forehand Arms manufactured version of the very same Andrew Fyrberg pistol featured in the 1903 catalog.  That was what I was looking for because I recently added the former for my vast collection (1) and I wanted the history.
 
I fully recognize that I may have been mistaken but if my recollection (faulty at best, I can’t even find my way back to what I think I found the first time, enter dinosaur stage left) If you have the catalog with the Forehand Arms weapon, please order for me.  Contact me for repeat of my card number I hate to put it in an email for the world to see on Facebook and Twitter et al. Pete
 
Hi Pete, Abby (my wife) asked me to try to answer your query. I'm not familiar with the pistol you are asking about so I'll include a picture of the 1903 Sears catalog below. was the Fryberg pistol marketed as a Forehand? We don't have a 1904 Sears catalog but perhaps one or more of the Forehand publications we sell might? Cheers, Rob FOREHAND & WADSWORTH - ALL CATALOGS
 
Rob, I'm good, thanks. I wonder why Amazon doesn't advertise that they are the cheapest supply house on earth?  Oh right today they could be sued for the claim. Good to know there was a time when you could order a pistol in the mail for 23 cents without a background check, it's a wonder we survived. Pete
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Ref: Sig P220 Sauer Manual (Text in German) Is this a reproduction? cholbro-5
 
Chol... From the ad: Sig P220 Sauer Manual (Text in German) 28 pages, about 11" x 8", glossy soft-cover in full color. New color re-print restored and digitally enhanced from a nice original. Printed on high quality 20# 97 bright acid free paper. Fully Illustrated. Text in German – Abby for cornellpubs
 
How much does it look like the original? Thank you! -Chris
 
Chris, It is an exact scan of the original, printed in color but not necessarily the same size, on the same paper or with the same binding, so, if you want an identical copy you should look for an original. Our copies are sold for the information and are not "forgeries" of originals. Cheers, Abby for cornellpubs
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Ref: Grubb & Co. Gun Catalog and Prices 1882- Phila, PA. Can you please tell me what Colt and Burgess are featured in this catalog. I specifically need to know if it features or lists a 1878 model colt double-barreled hammered Shotgun and also a 1880-ish Burgess “wrist slide” single barrel shotgun. Thanks   erinsdad1972 (ebay)
 
Hello erinsdad... Let me say that ebay is a difficult place to have this sort of research question because not everything we reprint (over 6000 titles) is on ebay and they get excited if I try to make references outside the confines. Anyway, the Grubb catalog features only Burgess rifles and the Colt shotgun isn't identified by the model year. I don't know what a wrist slide single is. That said I can tell you we offer over a dozen publications featuring Burgess, many with shotguns and, of course, hundreds with Colts. Rob for cornellpubs
 
Thanks Rob. This is 1880 Burgess “wrist slide” shotgun. Instead of pumping the front handguard to reload a shell, your right hand moves backward on the rest of the gun to reload. Holds six 2 1/2 inch rounds and you could hit six targets before they hit the ground it is so fast. It’s almost like a semi automatic. It actually comes apart it was carried by prison guards in a holster. Teddy Roosevelt bought 200 of them for the prison system when he was president he was so impressed with the gun.
 
Hello erinsdad… I'll give you what I can here, but, as I said, ebay has its limits about what I can say. We reprint all thse publications. Some or all of the catalog names I give you should come up in ebay, otherwise we don't have them listed on ebay. If you copy the name and put it in the ebay search bar it should come up.
Colt 1888 Patent Fire Arms Catalog - has the Colt hammer gun and parts plan
Grubb & Co. Gun Catalog has what looks to be same gun- double bolt- lever bolt
Burgess:
Hartley & Graham 1895 Gun Catalog (New York) - ad with picture
Clabrough & Golcher 1895-6 Catalog (San Francisco) - ad with picture
Great Western Gun Works 1897- Retail Sport Goods and Guns - ad with picture
Breechloading Shotguns 1860 -1940- lists observed guns (not pict) and has a lot of patent drawings, I think for the shotgun too. Cheers, Rob for cornellpubs
 
Rob, Thank you for the list. I found all five on eBay and marked them. I believe all five of them will do the trick and greatly enhance my Colt and Burgess collection. These shotguns are very expensive and these detailed catalogs enhance value If they are ever sold by my grandson who will inherit my gun collection after I’m dead.
 
My question is, since I will take all five, can I get a discount on the price and shipping? If that is possible, could you send me an PayPal invoice invoice to pay for all five. If a discount is not possible, then I will purchase all five on eBay at full retail price but is it still possible for you to give me a break on the shipping? Either way, let me know please as I will take all five that you listed. I am a repeat customer on various other guns I have in my collection and you may find me on your repeat customer records. Regards, Bruce Green 
 
Bruce, I'm sorry we don't discount because we try to keep prices as low as we can, but, we don't charge for the hour or so it took to research your question either. It is OK to buy at ebay where we pay huge commissions to them, just send Abby a note to ask her to refund excess shipping after she weighs the lot. Cheers, Rob
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Good Morning: I was just on your website and came across the above Item It is "Handbook for Shooters & Reloaders Vol II 1966 Ackley-Wildcat"  Is this a hardback book? Thank you. Celia 
 
Hi Celia, From the ad: “503 pages, about 11" x 8", glossy soft-cover in full color. New re-print restored and digitally enhanced from a nice original. Printed on high quality 20# 97 bright acid free paper. Fully Illustrated. This one is marked Vol II inside the book. We also reprint Vol I from 1962 and the original Vol I from 1959.” Best, Abby
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Hi Abby, One quick question, you list 2 different 1902 Winchester catalogs, January win 321902 and June 1902. Which one lists the Model 1894 in .32 Winchester Special? I'm completing a restoration on a Model 1894 in .32 Winchester Special that was made in 1902. My best understanding is that 1902 was the first year Winchester made rifles in that caliber. So, which one has my rifle? If they both do, is there any difference in the listings? I'd ask you to simply ship me that catalog, but the credit card you have on file for me needs to be updated. I hope you're doing well and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours truly, Jeff Sobel
 
Hi Jeff, The Winchester 1902 January Repeating Arms Co. Catalog has a whole page on the round, see the pic.
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We were going to put this ad somewhere else in the newsletter but discretion prevailed:
colt
 
Cheers,
Rob and Abby
 
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Cornell Publications  •  PO Box 214  •  Brighton, MI 48116

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