Book Review by David R. Chicoine 2/4/03
1998, Nick Stroebel. Softcover, 8-1/2 x 11, 320 pages, 400 b&w photos , Krause Publications. Dept. BNP, P.O. Box 5009, Iola, WI 54945-5009. (800) 258-0929. $29.95 plus $4. P&H ISBN 0-87341-559-0
There have been so many types and kinds of gun sights used, especially on 19th century and early 20th century firearms, it seems every time I attend another large gun show or auction I discover some sight, or variation of a sight, that I hadn't seen before. This is especially true on older Winchester and Marlin lever actions and single shots, which can turn up with more variations of sights than I ever knew existed, and because of which, I have struggled through many times trying to find out for certain whether a particular sight belonged on an old rifle or not.
Many collectors have experienced this same problem. The biggest stumbling block, where sights were concerned, has long been that there was no easy reference book that you could go to in order to find out what a given sight was, or if that was the correct sight for a given gun made during a certain period in time. Yes indeed, gun sights are a topic that have needed to be addressed, in depth, for a long time. Collectors found some references to sights in books pertaining to specific manufacturers, but not very much was available to cover the whole gamut of old sights.
Nick Stroebels book "Old Gunsights" from Krause Publications has changed all that. By correctly identifying, dating and pricing over 400 old sights, this great book offers the easiest general reference for these old sights that I have yet seen. Not only are the sights themselves covered, but also the various models of firearms, and this includes rifles and handguns, with their correct standard and optional sights listed as well.
The author has referenced the sights by manufacturer and the book is presented in two sections. Both the specialty sight makers, and the firearms companies who made their own sights are included in this surprisingly complete work. There are also many original gun company and sight company catalog illustrations, quite a few of which we had never seen before.
Don't overlook this one, here, in Stroebels' book, we finally have serious, general reference work on old gunsights, and one that every collector or dealer should have in their book shelves.