Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #593746 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 392 pages

From Library Journal
For the gun enthusiast, nothing quite catches the eye like an exquisitely engraved and inlaid pistol or long-arm. Wilson, the author of nearly two dozen firearms-related titles, here offers a detailed chronicle of the true art of gun engraving in the United States. Wilson's history actually predates Colonial times, beginning with early English and European attempts at engraving with wheel-locks and flintlocks as far back as the 1500s. Most of the book, however, covers American arms with an emphasis on Colt single-action handguns, Winchester repeating rifles, and monstrous Sharps buffalo guns, with a few knives and swords added for ballast. The text is well detailed and readable, but the main feast here is the hundreds of glorious color photographs. Though the book is expensive, libraries with large hunting/shooting collections won't want to miss this sumptuous volume. Art collections may also wish to consider. Recommended.?Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap
Wilson offers the first book on the extraordinary spectacle of America's finest firearms from the mid-1700s until today. Here in full color are exquisite engravings, gold, silver and platinum inlays, intricately carved mother-of-pearl and ivory--craftsmanship which rivals any other field of decorative arts.

Customer Reviews

ONE OF THE BEST PHOTO-BOOKS OF FIRE ARMS ENGRAVING
Having been a serrious engraver for just over a year now, I have amassed several books on engraving: mainly the "standards" for engravers: several of the Dover series of patterns, James L. Meek, Nimschke, etc. This has some of the finest and sharpest photos of engraving I have seen. And this book is cheap compaired to many of the others. Just plain beautiful. And --- worth every penny

Steel Canvas The art of American Arms
I bought this to read and then resell at my flea market location but cannot bring myself to part with it...FANTASTIC photographs of American engraved firearms.

Another Coffee Table Book
While done very well, like many other of his books, more about firearms few can afford to own. More for the collector of high-end guns.