BOOKSHELF with Syd Wigzell  in the Arms & Militaria Collector No. 27

The Range Officers Handbook

This book is outside our usual domain for reviews in the ‘Collector’, however Ron Owen is a well-known firearms identity in Australia and with so many more enthusiasts shooting historical and collector rifles today, it is also more relevant here.

Chapters define the criteria which are much wider ranging than one would expect, from just judging by its title. These are: The Club, a Range officers duties and responsibilities, Acting as instructors, Bullet performance relative to understanding its flight, Shotgun patterns and Safe carriage.

Chapter four introduces Cleaning, Bore blockages, Climate affecting shooting and ammunition, Muzzle-loaders, Recoil, Accuracy, Shooting positions, Handgun and shotgun applications, Eyesight and sights, Optics, Windage and drift, Reloading, Signs of pressure, Propellants, Cartridges, Cases, ballistics, Wind, training and fitness, Air powdered arms, Various British makers and Old for New Information.

And after all of this reading, eight chapters, there is a comprehensive glossary followed by a massive index of 18 pages. Perhaps it would be more aptly titled as a Firearms Encyclopaedia.

Ron Owen has never been noted for being politically correct and this is reflected in some parts of the text along with captions. The reader’s interest is maintained with so many useful tips from a lifetime of shooting experience. Some chapters digress in their subject material and tend to take off at tangents, but the index logs the subject matter anyway.

Ron emigrated to Australia from England decades ago; much of his wry Celt humour is evident in this entertaining compilation. With all sales and proceeds donated to the Queensland Indoor Air Rifle Association, a dual purpose is served in getting your own copy order via www.owenguns.com

Retail Price $75.

plus Australia Wide Postage $10 as it weighs over 2 Kg.

Book Review – Guns Australia October/December 2009

Hard-bound 200x303mm, 523 pages, well illustrated with line drawings and photographs, index, glossary and list of contents.

The name Ron Owen is well known to the majority of Aussie shooters as an indefatigable fighter for shooter’s rights and as a firearms retailer and importer.
Ron Owen has a comprehensive background in the shooting sports starting in England when he was 12 years old. He joined the British regular army at 15 and competed in the regimental rifle team at Bisley and Pirbright. By 1967 he had settled in Victoria and was a founding member of the Bonang Branch of the SSAA. Ron has shot every different discipline on ranges in many countries around the world, reaching A grade in National competitions and coached shooters who competed in the Commonwealth Games. After 49 years in the shooting industry, with those credentials and a background like this, who better to write a firearm textbook!

The Range Officers Handbook is an omnibus of firearms and ammunition and their use. The author has condensed a tremendous amount of information into this volume’s pages. The book is a neat and handy compilation of reference data that any technically oriented gun enthusiast will want in his library. You name it and it’s got it – everything about rifles, handguns, scopes, handloading and air arms history and use – and much more.

Did I learn anything? Yes I did, and I’m sure you will too as it contains lots of sound advice about every facet of the art and science of firearms, shooting techniques, and just about everything there is to know about firearms Ron Owen’s book comes as close to being all inclusive as any I’ve seen.

It has:

90 pages of information for Range Officers

239 pages on Coaching to Win

110 pages on Air Rifle History and Training

33 pages on Hitting Clay Targets

34 pages on Reloading Ammunition

34 pages of old into new, (Chronological history of firearms)

23 pages of glossary of terminology on firearms and Optics

Over 1000 drawings and photographs.

The retail price of the book is $75, and the book can be obtained from the QIARA office at 24 McMahon Rd, Gympie 4570. Trade and club prices on application. You can also order by phone on (07) 5482 5070.

Australia Wide Postage is an additional $10.00 as the book weighs over 2 kg.

An Armourer’s Perspective .303 No 4 (T) Sniper Rifle and the Holland and Holland Connection. by Peter Laidler with Ian Skennerton.

FOREWORD from
Major (Retd) Dougie T MABER, MBE Small Arms School Corps

This is an excellent, well-researched and accurate account of the Holland and Holland commitment to the development and manufacture of the British Sniper Rifle and its sight.Whilst this book is an historical textbook of great interest to all past, present and would-be snipers, it traces and reflects the persons involved from 1940 to the present day. I say 1940 because it was from that year, when as a young learner sniper on the Hythe Ranges, I learned to avoid cutting the eyebrow on the recoiling telescopic sight. I also recall going to Pendine shortly after the Experimental Wing moved there on 6th June 1940. It was as part of a shooting trial which included firing the new ex-Bren No.32 sight at night without lights, engaging a Huns head target at 200 yards. We achieved 90% hits. The sight made it possible. Holland and Holland’s work made possible a weapon of sniping excellence.

The book is a unique contribution to the annals of Military marksmanship manuals and Peter Laidler’s work deserves a place on the shelf of every sniping buff and historian.

I enjoyed every page and lived through most of it.
Dougie Maber.

Managing Director
Holland and Holland Ltd.
33 Bruton Street
London WIX 8JS

The sporting weapons archives of Holland and Holland have been carefully preserved throughout this century and there has been continuity in numbering sequences, order procedures and manufacturing methods which makes it relatively easy to trace and compare guns and rifles in the present condition with their specification when completed seventy or eighty years ago.

Records of military work done by Holland and Holland during the World War years are however fairly sparse and difficult to interpret as the oldest current full-time employee at our factory started work with us in 1954. It has therefore been very refreshing to meet such an enthusiast as Peter Laidler who has taken so much care in researching the origins and production of the No. 4 (T) sniper rifle, from Monday 17th November 1942, when our first converted rifle was completed, until 30th April 1946 when the last rifle was sent to Ordnance stores at Weedon.
I commend this book, which will have a very special interest to collectors, as it covers an important area of 2nd World War military small-arms and is an invaluable reference for our own library. I am glad to say that as a result of Peter’s research, we have not before time decided to include a prime example of a No. 4 (T) rifle, complete with the full equipment schedule, in our own historical collection held at 33 Bruton Street, London.
Roger Mitchell.

$33.00

plus Australia Wide Poatage $6.00

Australian Antique Arms & History by John W. Swinfield FAIHA, edited by Ian Skennerton.

This compilation of forty-three years of John’s columns and articles in shooting and collecting magazines and periodicals, is so much more than just a useful reference and many hours of entertaining reading.

The growth of collector fraternities in the Australian states is recalled, the societies and personalities, the shows and exhibitions, the dealers and collections, as well as the changes to firearms laws in each state, as it all unfolded over the decades.

For the old hand and new chum alike, this book is a journey through time. It will bring back so many memories to long-time collectors and provide many clues and useful pieces of information for more recent collectors and enthusiasts.
Because of the advances made in print and reproduction technology since the 1960s, many of the early illustrations had significantly fewer `dots’ per inch in the screens, This results in much less detail in the photographs. Also, the pulp newsprint used in those earlier issues has resulted in poor copies of the images, because this paper has not archived very well.

Some of the original columns and articles have been edited here, for reasons of space as well as to avoid repetition. Many of the earlier illustrations have also been cropped, scanned again or replaced, and so the monthly record has been updated in some areas.
A comprehensive index is a boon for quick reference and more serious researchers. This book has a detailed index of the hundreds of articles and items here, the personalities and the events, and the Australian arms and their makers that are described.
Other tables at the end of this reference contain proof and viewer’s inspection marks, abbreviations and other suggested references.
This serves to round off a fine compilation and to produce an invaluable reference for antique arms here, along with more general Australiana.
Ian Skennerton editor.
ISBN 978 0 949749 97 0

John Swinfield was an early member of the Antique Arms Collectors Society of Australia, John held various management positions over the years. He was asked to write for `Sporting Shooter’ magazine in 1960 on his favourite subject, research and collecting of antique firearms. He was a prime contributor to the ‘Sporting Shooter’ and `Guns Australia ‘ for 43 years. John is still active with the Returned Services League and was for fifteen years. the president of the Burwood Sub-Branch of the R.S.L.

$59.00

plus Australia Wide Post for $10.00

From the man who brought us the Lee Reloading Equipment that nearly every Australian shooter has used some of, at some time either before now, or sometime in the future.

MODERN RELOADING

Second Edition

by: Richard Lee          720 very comprehensive pages.
Ammunition reloading for the shooter, hunter and professional reloader, with detailed loading techniques for quality and quantity production.
Extensive information about special methods and tools so anyone can load more accurate ammunition.It covers reloading for rifles, handguns and shotguns, bullet casting, powder selection and measuring methods.
Includes much information that was previously unavailable from any source, along with must have charts.
Comprehensive load data, compiled from all major powder suppliers published information, sorted in logical cartridge, bullet weight, and velocity order.
The first book to print starting loads that are suitable for volume measuring.
NEW
Exclusive cast bullet loads with velocities and pressures so you can match the pressure to bullet strength.
Includes velocities for starting loads.
Data on many additional cartridges.
Exclusive pressure and velocity factors so you can easily calculate
velocity and pressure for reduced loads.
Cartridge drawings with the year of introduction, usable case volume and primer type.
Expanded information on pressure and reduced charges.

Preface
Wow! Modern Reloading has been a smashing success-over 120,000 copies sold. The old adage “If it’s not broken don’t fix it” should apply, but I felt compelled to improve on the book by including the latest and best information. The new load data is greatly expanded and includes velocities for the starting charges. Important new load data for cast bullets takes the “black magic” out of cast bullet loads.
I have neither the inclination nor talent to radically change the first part of the book. That information is accurate and timely so it remains mostly the same except for many additions and a few corrections. If you don’t have the first edition of Modern Reloading don’t worry, this book has all of the first edition and much more.
An unusual number of readers commented that normally they buy a reloading manual for the load data and don’t bother reading the articles. However, they read every word in the original Modern Reloading. Even if you have the original book you will find it interesting to read the first part of this book and note where my opinions have changed. If you’re like me, you may find some gems of information missed the first time around.
Like you, I learned new and interesting things in the last six years. That which I’ve learned related to reloading is included in this second edition of Modern Reloading. I underlined all the titles that are new so you won’t have to search for them. Be sure to read the new Chapters 9 and 10. You will find them interesting and informative.
This book is a labour of love. I’m retired and receive no pay, salary nor royalty. This reduces your cost to buy it. My reward is the immeasurable pleasure sharing my thoughts with you. It’s much like a conversation with a group of friends at the range or clubhouse and I get to do all the talking. The words come easy, the hard part is to be certain that you are never mislead by my prose. Thank you very much for sharing your time with me as you read this book.
Richard Lee

$44.00

plus Australia Wide Post of $10.

PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.

The general advance in the science of gunnery, which has proceeded with such rapid strides in the last few years, has caused the introduction of a quantity of Artillery materiel which renders a new edition of this ” Treatise” necessary.
In preparing it some slight modifications have been made ; but on the whole the general arrangement f the last edition has been adhered to as closely as possible.
Chapters XI, XII, and XIV consist for the greater part of fresh matter, Chapters VIi, XV, and XXI are entirely new; but, on the other hand, the Chapters on R.B.L. and S.B. ammunition are scarcely altered. ‘
All the remainder of the book has been recast and rewritten ; it contains much new matter; and it is hoped that the present arrangement will conduce to brevity and clearness.
In the Appendix will be found instructions for the periodical examination of gun-cotton, for the proof by Inspectors of Warlike Stores of Fuzes, Tubes, &c. Further details on these points and on the general performance of Laboratory Operations will be found in the ” Magazine Regulations.”
The proper name of each article, taken from the priced ” Vocabulary of Stores,” has been given at least once in the course of its description, and will probably read a little strange at first ; but the object is to familiarize the reader with the only name under which demands for the article can be put forward.
In compiling the present edition, the authority of ” Changes in War Stores ” has been followed throughout ; but when these are not in absolute agreement with the ” Equipment Regulations ” it must be remembered that the latter only should be followed in preparing demands.
Sergeant-Major B. Auld, R.A., and the Quartermaster-Sergeant Instructors have rendered much valuable assistance in the laborious work of collecting references, compiling tables, &c. To the first named, who has now assisted in the preparation of three editions of this work, my thanks are especially due.

G. T. HAWKINS,
Major R.A., Captain-Instructor, Royal Laboratory.
NOTE.-A reprint of this Work having become necessary, the opportunity has been taken of bringing it up to date. It has accordingly been corrected up to 31st October, 1887, under the directions of Major FT Un Ex, R.A., Captain Instructor, Royal Laboratory.
February, 1888.
(T.A.) A 2

490 pages

$55.00

plus Australia Wide Post for $10.

A Book For Military Collectors, Antique Gun Collectors or for Firearm Collectors.

Australian Load Carrying Equipment of British, American & Local Origin.

This reference by Rick Landers explores the full period of Australian issue, from the First Fleet in 1788 through the various colonial governments and the Commonwealth, through two world wars and Vietnam to the year 2000 and beyond.

From bandoliers and belts to packs and pouches, for the purpose of carrying items ranging from ammunition and compasses to pistols and bayonets, this invaluable study will appeal to a broad cross section of collectors and military enthusiasts.

Buff, brown & black leather, canvas and woven webbing equipment combined to serve the soldier in the field, in a wide variety of forms. The references to contractors, trials, production and markings in the descriptive text are accompanied by about 250 illustrations which includes a section in full colour.

Any collector of uniforms, accoutrements, individual equipment or weapons will welcome this systematic presentation of such a wealth of material. The more than two hundred years of Australian kit embraces essential British patterns with a veritable sprinkling of U.S. and Canadian production as well, culminating with a fully integrated set of indigenous load carrying equipment today.

$50.

plus Australia Wide Postage $10.00
ISBN 0 646 35322 5

By Brian Labadda & Ian Skennerton

How to get the best out of the Lee Enfield rifles covers from the Magazine Lee-Metford, The Short Magazine Lee Enfield, The No 1 Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle, The No1 Mark III (*)Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rife, The No 4 Lee-Enfield Rifle and The No 5 Jungle Carbine Lee Enfield Rifle. If you want to get the best out of your favourite Lee Enfield, have a good look at this before you begin your project. Ian and Brian have lots of knowledge and idea’s to get you the maximum results, from shooting to accurizing. Getting it right the first time will save you time and money. Order it today

$18.60

plus $10  postage Australia Wide, (cheaper if you buy more)

A Cataloged Encyclopedia of Collective Pistols And Revolvers.

Quality Photographs of the famous Ron Hayes collection of hand guns, the most complete Australian collection. A deluxe compilation of handguns from all around the world, the subjects are conveniently cataloged into National and Manufacturer classifications. The twenty six groups utilise each letter of the alphabet, introduced with a brief description of each particular category.  If you need any information on handgun identification this is the definite work on hand guns. 592 large A4 Colour format pages. By Ron Hayes and Ian Skennerton.

Special Price for this Month Only $99.00

Plus $10. 00 Packed in Cardboard shipper in post bag Australia wide. (Even overseas to Tasmania still only $10.00)

This book originally printed by the War Office, was intended for use by officers under instruction at the British School of Musketry at Hythe.They were also expected to take it back with them to their postings, in the regiments to teach small arms skills to the weapons instructors. It is a complete examination of everything needed to be known about smallarms, ammunition and ballistics. It looks at rifles, swords, lances and bayonets, as well as revolvers, grenades and machine guns. There is a section dealing with small arms ammunition (including pre-.303inch ammunition) which is very comprehensive. The book also looks at the ballistics of this ammunition. The book is amply illustrated with photographs, line drawings and tables, and forms a complete record of the weapons and ammunition that were in service between the two World Wars. It was the Text Book Bible referred to by all the 20th Century Gun writers such as Hatcher, Ackley, and Askins. 430 A4 pages.

Special  Only $69. plus $10. post Australia wide.

British Army small arms and ammunition handbook of 1929. Includes machine guns and grenades.
——————————————————————————–
This War Office series on military technology continues with this very important publication, which gives details of weapons in use by the British Army at the end of 1929. Every military historian, war gamer, re-enactor and reader should be familiar with the technology associated with the tactics, and this series of reprints aims to provide that information. No true, objective appreciation of tactical operations is possible without a basic knowledge of the weapons and ammunition being used at a specific point in time, and the series will serve as a continuing source of the relevant information. The book was intended for use by officers under instruction at the British School of Musketry at Hythe. It is a complete examination of everything needed to be known about small arms, ammunition and ballistics. It looks at rifles, swords, lances and bayonets, as well as revolvers, grenades and machine guns. There is a section dealing with small arms ammunition (including pre-.303inch ammunition) which is very comprehensive. The book also looks at the ballistics of this ammunition. The book is amply illustrated with photographs, line drawings and tables, and forms a complete record of the weapons and ammunition that were in service between the two World Wars.