glock_556
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Why are these so expensive?
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Elmer Keith Books
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I believe they are all out of print and people who have them tend to hold on to them. It is that supply and demand thing.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Because they are classics, out of print, and desired.
You can learn a lot about handguns and get a usually cheaper book if you find a copy of Geoffrey Boothroyd's, "The Handgun." Covers the subject from the beginning though the 1960's, and has many superb pics.
It also has much better coverage of European and British designs than do Keith's books. But he doesn't get as much into handloading, handgun hunting, and the like.
This may be the best ever primer for the new handgun enthusiast, but you still need Keith's books, especially, "Sixguns",preferably the 1961 edition, which has updated info over the 1955 edition. That is very important, for some major guns and ammo arrived during that span.
You can learn a lot about handguns and get a usually cheaper book if you find a copy of Geoffrey Boothroyd's, "The Handgun." Covers the subject from the beginning though the 1960's, and has many superb pics.
It also has much better coverage of European and British designs than do Keith's books. But he doesn't get as much into handloading, handgun hunting, and the like.
This may be the best ever primer for the new handgun enthusiast, but you still need Keith's books, especially, "Sixguns",preferably the 1961 edition, which has updated info over the 1955 edition. That is very important, for some major guns and ammo arrived during that span.
gregintenn
Member
I've got them, except for the elusive "Safari". He must have had abou 20 of those printed.
Nick B.
Member
The EK books are classics , timeless information as well as historical development. There are not that many out there for sale so they are expensive.The modern reprints are useful because they are cheaper but the quality of the printing is not as good.
For more modern information have a look at "The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver" by Grant Cunningham, unlike EK's books this book really only deals with the d/a revolver but it does that very well.
NB
For more modern information have a look at "The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver" by Grant Cunningham, unlike EK's books this book really only deals with the d/a revolver but it does that very well.
NB
Frank237
Absent Comrade
Another series thats worth looking at are the various "Big Bore Handgun" books by John Taffin. I believe thee are three of them.
Tough to beat the last edition of "Sixguns" by Keith though.
FN in MT
Tough to beat the last edition of "Sixguns" by Keith though.
FN in MT
Texas Star
US Veteran
Elmer told me personally that he thought that (Bleep!) Press cheated him on his fees for books that they printed. Said that another famous writer told him that that publisher was a bunch of crooks.
He felt that more of his books sold than he was paid for.
This is hearsay, based on his beliefs, and is presented only as such. But he definitely believed that his sales from some publishers were greater than he was told. On the other hand, he was a man who had a very high opinion of his popularity, and not a lot of those books are around. If you find one at a fairly reasonable price, better buy it.
He felt that more of his books sold than he was paid for.
This is hearsay, based on his beliefs, and is presented only as such. But he definitely believed that his sales from some publishers were greater than he was told. On the other hand, he was a man who had a very high opinion of his popularity, and not a lot of those books are around. If you find one at a fairly reasonable price, better buy it.
semperfi71
US Veteran
I bought a new edition of "Sixguns by Keith" off ebay for about $50.00 last month. I think someone is doing a preprint.
I have heard his "Hell I Was There" is also going to be reprinted.
I have heard his "Hell I Was There" is also going to be reprinted.
I have a first edition "Sixguns" & "Big Game Hunting". Wouldn't take a million for either. I've re read both for years. Bought some reprints from Safari Press. "Hell,I was there" is a classic.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
I visited EK at his home in Salmon in 1980 to simply meet him, get a few of his books autographed and to pick up a copy of "Safari".
I can recall to this day the stacks of his available books next to his desk. And the stack for "Safari" was the smallest...maybe less than ten copies.
I bought a copy....he autographed it...Wish I'd have bought them ALL.
FN in MT
May be wrong but I think Safari Press may be reprinting some of his books. I DO know that the two volume edition of ALL of his "Gun Notes" articles is out. Great reading. Not only all of his Articles from "Guns & Ammo" , but personal letters as well. If you enjoyed the man it's a good read.
I can recall to this day the stacks of his available books next to his desk. And the stack for "Safari" was the smallest...maybe less than ten copies.
I bought a copy....he autographed it...Wish I'd have bought them ALL.
FN in MT
May be wrong but I think Safari Press may be reprinting some of his books. I DO know that the two volume edition of ALL of his "Gun Notes" articles is out. Great reading. Not only all of his Articles from "Guns & Ammo" , but personal letters as well. If you enjoyed the man it's a good read.
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David LaPell
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I have a few of Elmer's books. I bring "Hell, I was there" with me to physical therapy and read some there while my arm is getting stimulated and heat wrapped. I have Sixguns and a first edition copy of Sixguns Cartridges and Loads here somewhere. I was too young to remember when Elmer died, I think only around eight when he passed away, but another writer that has books that are pretty expensive is Skeeter Skelton. It's not at all uncommon to find one of Skeeter's books for over $100 and then some. I saw a pair of Skeeters books at a gun show recently and the seller wanted $175 for both or $100 each. Go on ebay or amazon and the prices will all be the same.
Great information and easily read. As such, they hold a lot of value to their owners. Yours Truely, Harvey Donaldson is another good read. Bob hagels books are mainly for riflemen, but were undervalued, IMO, a few years ago.
pop-gunner
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Interesting I saw this thread while researching one of my newest acquisitions today.
I just got a 1st (and only) edition of Safari autographed by Keith at his house in 1970.
I don't think I would part with it but I am trying to get an idea what something like this would be worth in good condition.
I just got a 1st (and only) edition of Safari autographed by Keith at his house in 1970.
I don't think I would part with it but I am trying to get an idea what something like this would be worth in good condition.
heard when he was up in years and getting senile, he was thinking of writing a book on his failing memory entitled
"Hell, was i there?"
"Hell, was i there?"
Every now and again if you keep looking one of Elmers books or even Skeeters books will pop up somewhere. Last summer I found Sixguns and Big Game Rifles at a yard sale. He wanted $60 for both and I gladly paid. I found "Hell I was There" for $10 at the Wisdom MT gunshow a few years back and at another gunshow I stumbled accross one of Skeeters books for IIRC $25. I'm a book nut so I tend to gravitate towards piles of used books and every now and again I get lucky.
I also found a Jeff Cooper magazine about pistol shooting at a antique mall. I paid $8 for that one.
I also found a Jeff Cooper magazine about pistol shooting at a antique mall. I paid $8 for that one.
Stevie
Member
My father was a fan of Elmer Keith...and I bought him one of the Keith books('Hell I was there'..izzat a Keith title?)...i think it cost like 18 bucks at the time..early 1990's.
pop-gunner
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I'd been seeing things like that myself but didn't want to get my hopes up with getting some more feedback.
I guess I won't be leaving this one on the coffee table.
This particular book was autographed to a friends father. They both got a copy and friend gave he his dad's.
There are corrections here and there where EK took a pen and fixed some mistakes.
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Max; You will miss a lot not reading the old master of six guns Elmer Keith. I've read his stories many years & have most of his books. As an old guy, take my advise. Some of his six gun loads are far from perfect but his bullets are still used today.
Texas Star
US Veteran
The most that I've ever paid for a book was for an original copy of Jim Corbett's, "The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag." Cost me $150, but the seller took another book in partial trade.
It stuns me that books that we once took so much for granted as, "Sixguns" are now selling for so much, let alone Skeeter Sketon's work.
Elmer owned one of Jim Corbett's rifles, a .450/.400. No idea how he got hold of it. I think it's now in the Elmer Keith museum in Idaho. (?)
It stuns me that books that we once took so much for granted as, "Sixguns" are now selling for so much, let alone Skeeter Sketon's work.
Elmer owned one of Jim Corbett's rifles, a .450/.400. No idea how he got hold of it. I think it's now in the Elmer Keith museum in Idaho. (?)
