I completed my review of your master-piece on Smith & Wesson and forwarded it along with 2 photos to Tex and Cat Ballou of the Cowboy Chronicle. The first photo was of the cover, and the second photo of a page I selected that demonstrated, to my satisfaction, the fine attention to detail throughout the book and a good example of the extraordinary photos and graphics. I also likened your book to the same quality as R.L. Wilson's books on Colt--I did so, because it is a valid comparison. I don't know how many years you spent on writing this book, but 10 or more would not surprise me. Thanks again.

Pete Padone (Palaver Pete). 9-13-04

Please see Pete's excellent review below. . .

Reviews posted on Amazon.com

Reviewing Six Guns of the Old West, September 13, 2004

I really enjoyed this book. Dave writes in a straight-ahead, clear style derived from his many years as a gunsmith. Basically he writes with the same care and precision he uses in his repairs and restorations, which are works of art. The photos and drawings (many of the latter by his son) are all well done and to the point of the text. The volume itself is expertly printed and bound and is sure to last.

If you are researching, repairing or are just curious about one of the S&W six guns that Dave covers you will find all you need to know in this volume. His histories of the development of the various models are entertaining, as well as useful to the researcher. The repair text and illustrations are step-by-step. If you run into problems (like a stuck screw), he covers how to deal with that. If you just like a good read about some of the under-appreciated but significant firearm designs and the people who used them in the old west, then get this book.

My criteria for the importance of a tome like this is how greasy it gets as I consult it at my workbench while in the middle of a repair or maybe just exploring one of the antiques detailed in its pages. In Dave's case my copy of his first book (Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West) is well stained. I expect this equally useful second book will also grow very grimy in proportion to its usefulness.

This is one GREAT BOOK on the Smith & Wesson Big caliber revolvers of the Old West,long needed in the fields of lovers of the Old West,Cowboy Action Shooters,Old West Historians, Smith & Wesson collectors, gunsmiths,and firearms collectors,it also offers a wonderful in depth coverage of the company itself and the times, much of it never presented before.

Dave Chicoine's credentials to experience in this field are un-matched by any other, as firearms affectionado's well know. His writing style is clearcut so novice or long time buffs can both get the most out of it, the photo and illustrations top notch, plus he covers the modern clones of these same famous revolvers.

Move over Colt, Dave's book is going to be a "MUST HAVE" that will be the standard by which others will try to reach and put S&W revolvers in their proper place in Old West History, largely ignored until now. A really great book !

If you are a gun collector, a gun enthusiast, a gunfighter history buff, or simply interested in the artifacts of the Old West then you need to own "Smith and Wesson: Sixguns of the Old West." If there were such a thing as a definitive work, then this volume is the ONE. The book covers the Schofields, the Americans, the Russians, the New Models No. 3 and much more. Even esoteric, but interesting subjects such as ammunition, gun tools, and the history of gun metal finishes are covered in this full scope book.

David R. Chicoine, the author, is a gunsmith and a recognized expert for restoration and repair of Smith and Wesson firearms. In this, his latest book, he has produced a beautiful,lavish tome full of useful photographs and illustrations, and it worth every penny that the publisher charges.

This Book Is An Instant Classic, October 29, 2004

As a collector of all 19th century Smith & Wesson firearms, one of the things that has always surprised me is the lack of available information relating to one of the most well known and most common of all of the so-called western guns, the Model Three. Predating the better known 1873 Colt SA by three years, built in far larger numbers and many more interesting variations, where are the Model Three books? Rattling around in the head of well-known gunsmith/author David Chicoine apparently.

Well it's finally here; the definitive tome of the Smith & Wesson Model Three. All those Americans, Russians, Scofields and New Models have finally been recognized for their importance in the most incredible volume imaginable. Was it worth the wait? It most certainly was.

Here in a single large volume is a very comprehensive history of the Model Three going back to the Robbins & Lawrence factory where we are reasonably certain Daniel Smith met Horace Wesson around 1850. It tracks their progress through their first company, where they invented what became the Winchester 13 years later, the development of the first practical cartridge firearms (the S&W Model One) through the Two's, One and a Half's, and finally the Model Threes. It's all here in a comprehensive entertaining manner accompanied by fabulous photographs and diagrams.

This book is also a gunsmith's dream with page after page of carefully written and illustrated information on how to diagnose and repair every Model Three AND every modern Model Three copy. In addition there are chapters on ammunition and, for the shooter, loading and reloading. Did I say comprehensive? Well written? Beautifully illustrated? Awesome? A long over due and welcomed volume. Thanks David.

From Cowboy Chronicle, November 2004, page 68-69

Reviewed by Palaver Pete, SASS Life/Regulator #4375

The Schofields * The Americans * The Russians * The New Models No.3, and more. . .Pards, if you are looking for just a gun book, this is not the one. This hardback is the ultimate guide to all the early large frame Smith & Wessons. It measures 11-1/2 inches high by 9 inches in width, and com­pares in" size and quality to Packing Iron, or the Colt series of hardbacks. This book contains hundreds of technical drawings and close-up photography showing the' very markings and features discussed in the text. Pards, let me tell you, "these are the best illustrations I have ever seen ­ looking through the firing pin hole of a New. Model No.3 is something I have never done before." Mr. Chicoine's book is definitely destined to become the standard reference for Smith & Wesson sixguns, and a book no firearms historian or Cowboy Action Shooter can afford to be with­out! Let me say it another way: "This book is to Smith & Wesson as R.L. Wilson's Colt, An American Legend is to Colt."

If you are into firearms, you have heard of the author, David R. Chicoine. He is a gunsmith who has spent a good portion of his adult life working with antique firearms in almost every capacity. He specializes in the repair and restoration of older firearms, especially Smith & Wesson firearms. Since the mid-1970's, the & Wesson factory has referred their customers with older and antique Smith & Wesson firearms to David, a recognized Smith & Wesson expert, for refinishing, restoration, . and repair work of all kinds. For many years, Chicoine also maintained the only gun parts company that exclusively sold older Smith & Wesson parts. It is because of his unique experience Chicoine is widely considered the foremost authority on obsolete and antique Smith & Wesson revolvers, particularly the Tip-Up and Top-Break models. This book verifies his reputation and authority are truly justified. Other printed works by Chicoine include: Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West (Krause 2001) and soon to be published Guns of the New West, as well as articles that have appeared in several firearms periodicals, including American Gunsmith, the Blackpowder Annual and Man at Arms magazine. (A special note: See Tuolumne Lawman's review of Mr. Chicoine's Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West on page 84 of the September Cowboy Chronicle.. Tuolumne's description and praise of Mr. Chicoine's gunsmithing capabilities is another testimony to this man's expertise.

The twelve Chapters are ar­ranged in easy to read and very logical sequence, starting with The . . .

. . .History, and progressing through the 1 Models No.3, their parts, and ending with Reloading Ammunition for the Smith & Wesson Top-Break, a Glossary of' Top-Break and 19th Century gun terms along with Top-Break production numbers. An incredibly easy to read and informative format augmented by the many excellent photos and drawings ­ obviously years in the making! Here are some examples of the detailed information contained in this book: 1st Model American, page 190; 2nd Model Russian, page 192; heat treat­ment and hardening, page 283; repairing Gutta-Percha Grips, page 306. After reading the subjects just listed, I felt I was capable of doing the repair work myself-it was that easy to read and understand! This is definitely a book for those who want to know more about the history of Smith & Wesson and the early large frame Smith & Wessons. Yes, indeed Pards, you need more bookshelf space, because this is a must buy!

Book At A Glance:

ISBN: 1-931464-10-3. 480 Pages, 840+ photos and illustrations.

Price: $75.00 plus $4.50 domestic shipping / handling. Please call for international shipping information. Address: Mowbray Publishing, P.O. Box 460, Lincoln, RI 02865. telephone: 1-800-999-4697 in USA; 401-726-8011 elsewhere http://www.manatarmsbooks.com

. . .Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West is truly a comprehensive reference in every way. With supporting photographs and information from other industry experts, such as NRA, the National Firearms Museum, Jim Supica, Reid Coffield and many others, it is clear that Chicoine has pooled all of the best resources available today to provide us with an invaluable reference.

. . . this book covers more than just six-shot revolvers of the Old West. Rather, it covers the early history of S&W and includes detailed illustrations and descriptions of all S&W firearms through the legendary New Model No.3.

. . .covers topics including identifying the Model No. 3s, collecting top-break S&W revolvers, care and maintenance, components, gunsmithing, military use of the S&W design, ammunition and reloading, famous guns and more.

The drawings and close-up photography illustrate the very features and markings discussed in the text, making this book an easy read for any S&W enthusiast.

Those who love S&Ws or firearms history will want a copy on their bookshelf. - Eric Poole

David Chicoine, author of Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West, Volumes I and II, is also the author of Smith & Wesson Sixguns of the Old West. . .in his latest book we have the first exhaustive publication devoted entirely to Smith & Wesson frontier period sixguns. . .

It is obvious to this reader that a tremendous amount of work and research went into this valume. . .It not only makes for fascinating reading, it is also an exceptionally valuable reference work. . .Having always been fascinated by what the gunmakers of the 1850's were able to accomplish, I found it most interesting to experience the connection between all of these men and many others as explained in Chicoine's remarkable book.

On my bookshelves are several volumes on the Colt Single Action Army and Remington single actions, they are now joined by this excellent treatise on the Smith & Wesson. . .Sixgunner (John Taffin)