Current Prices of Elmer Keith's "Sixguns"

[semperfi71]

Last night, I was exploring the prices of his books. I have a copy of "Sixguns".

I was amazed at what I found.

Comparison results for: Sixguns by Keith by Elmer Keith

It seems like only a short time ago one could buy the last reprint for about $28.00.

And I remember getting started in handgun shooting in 1972/1973 and reading his "Guns and Ammo" articles.

It's making me feel old.

 

[feralmerril]

Good golly! I must have a fortune in my dusty bookcase! I have it and hell, I was there!, and shotguns by keith. Seems I have one autographed! Also have several by askins and jordan.

 

[5-Shot]

Holy $$%#@,

I have not only that, but "Shotguns", "Autobiography" and the truly rare original "Rifles for Large Game". Sounds like I should be keeping them in a vault.

Ed

 

[ThirtyAcres]

Found a copy of Sixguns at a church book sale for fifty cents.

I guess the Lord does work in mysterious ways.

 

[Rule3]

I guess it makes a difference on what version or edition it is. Is any edition "better" than another?

Amazon.com: sixguns elmer keith

 

[gregintenn]

Try getting your hands on a copy of "Safari" by Keith! I think it's time someone made another reprint.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I have a 1st edition of "Sixguns"& several others. Not all firsts but all in good shape. I re read them often.

 

[jrm53]

I have always used Amazon.com for Gun Digests and Shooters bibles, I got Bill Rugers big book there brand new at a very good price. Jeff

 

[semperfi71]

Rule 3,

I do not know if there is a difference in the various copies of "Sixguns". Usually in book collecting the later "reprints" are not as valuable as the first editions.

There is a picture in "Sixguns" of Elmer at about age 20?? standing in deep snow, in obviously very cold weather with a horse I think he described as "mustang" which he broke and trained. The horse's name is "Satan" (which might say LOT). I think he said that was one of the best horses he ever had.

Anyhow that picture pretty well sums up Elmer Keith to me...he had to have been one tough man.

I supposedly have a copy of "Hell, I Was There!" enroute. I should have bought that years ago as well.

 

[Texas Star]

The 1961 edition of Sixguns was updated and included data on the .44 Magnum and other newer guns of that day.

His Shotguns also has a revised edition with later info, inc. data on the Rem. 1100, etc..

 

[feralmerril]

My sixguns addition if I recall, I ordered direct from elmer. I think it was a "secound" as there is a number of pages put in the book twice!
What really hurts, I once had the book "I am frank hamer". Great book but my ex sold it at a gunshow when we split up!

 

[Frank237]

Late 1979 when I visited Mr. Keith at his home I bought one of the last copies of "Safari". We were in the Cabin were he did his writing...and the various books were in stacks along one side of the desk. There were three copies of "Safari" left.

Wish I'd had the brains to buy all three of them...instead of ONE.

Thankfully I did have all of my books autographed.

FN in MT

 

[Texas Star]

Late 1979 when I visited Mr. Keith at his home I bought one of the last copies of "Safari". We were in the Cabin were he did his writing...and the various books were in stacks along one side of the desk. There were three copies of "Safari" left.

Wish I'd had the brains to buy all three of them...instead of ONE.

Thankfully I did have all of my books autographed.

FN in MT

I'm glad that you met Elmer and got those books autographed.

He told me that one of his publishers was crooked and that more copies of his books were sold than they claimed. Said that Askins was convinced of the same.

BTW, I saw him shoot a .44 Magnum at 200 yards. He was then in his late 70's, but still hit the target. I think he believed that he had done everything that he claimed. I have my doubts that he killed that legendary deer at 600 yards, but I do believe that it expired from earlier wounds just as he fired, and that he believed that that shot killed it. May have!

 

[Rule3]

The 1961 edition of Sixguns was updated and included data on the .44 Magnum and other newer guns of that day.

His Shotguns also has a revised edition with later info, inc. data on the Rem. 1100, etc..

I would like a copy of the book or at least read it. Do you think library's would carry it? Of course I will check my local one.

I am not interested in collector value so would any edition be fine to buy (as in less expensive)?

 

[Texas Star]

I would like a copy of the book or at least read it. Do you think library's would carry it? Of course I will check my local one.

I am not interested in collector value so would any edition be fine to buy (as in less expensive)?

I truly believe that every gun enthusiast should have copies of at least, "Sixguns" and Geoffrey Boothroyd's, "The Handgun", as a bare minimum. Reading those books would answer many of the questions that members ask on gun boards.

Yes, libraries may have, "Sixguns." The Dallas library did not when I last checked, and I think someone stole their copy, unless they have it at other branches.

Some libraries are unlikely to buy gun books, but you can request your branch to do so. Or, Amazon.com often has copies ar reasonable prices. Your Interlibrary Loan desk may be able to get the book for you from another library. But it is an old book, and they may have trouble finding it.

I'd certainly get the 1961 edition or a reprint. The 1955 edition just missed the boat on the .44 Magnum, the Combat Magnum, the Ruger Super Blackhawk, and other guns that Elmer covered in the 1961 edition. It just doesn't seem right to have a book by Elmer Keith where he doesn't discuss the.44 Magnum!

If you buy, "Shotguns", also get the later edition. Collectors may pay more for the older editions, but readers want the added info in the later books.

 

[Frank237]

I'm glad that you met Elmer and got those books autographed.

He told me that one of his publishers was crooked and that more copies of his books were sold than they claimed. Said that Askins was convinced of the same.

BTW, I saw him shoot a .44 Magnum at 200 yards. He was then in his late 70's, but still hit the target. I think he believed that he had done everything that he claimed. I have my doubts that he killed that legendary deer at 600 yards, but I do believe that it expired from earlier wounds just as he fired, and that he believed that that shot killed it. May have!

I was a cop for 32 years...always felt I was good at being able to assess a persons character, whether they were trying to con me, lie, etc. I feel that if Mr. Keith stated he HIT that deer at 600 yds...He did.


FN in MT

 

[Nick B.]

For anyone in the Boise area go into the Cabelas and have a look at the Elmer Keith Museum , at the front on the left of the store. Trophies , firearms and a Mr Keth that will talk to you if you press a button, great stuff !

Now if Mr Keith's "Sixguns" is so expensive just think what Mr Keith's sixguns would cost.

NB

 

[gregintenn]

I was a cop for 32 years...always felt I was good at being able to assess a persons character, whether they were trying to con me, lie, etc. I feel that if Mr. Keith stated he HIT that deer at 600 yds...He did.


FN in MT

Funny you should say that. I'm normally a very sceptical person, but for some reason when I read his writings, I have no trouble believing every word. It must have been quite an experience to meet him.

 

[semperfi71]

It was about 1973 or so when I first read Elmer's comment in "Gun s and Ammo" about killing a Mule deer at 600 yards with his .44 Magnum.

I was young enough to not know enough (still don't) about handguns. But, as a young Marine and having shot M14s out to 500 yards I knew of the possibilities.

I felt then he may have done it. I wasn't there to see it so I couldn't argue one way or another.

That is still a loooonnngg way to shoot a handgun. But since then we have had some long range handgun sports enacted so maybe not.

I tend to believe it, even if Elmer didn't pace it off or measure it. Heck he could have been off his estimate by a yard or so!

 

[daveh75]

Wolfe Publishing, Handloader and Rifle magazines (among others), ran an add in the latest Handloader that they will be offering a reprint of Sixguns in November. I think the price was about 50 USD.