Sixguns by Keith

[AEM]

I was browsing around on abe.com and found Keith's book for sale for $25. I bought it, thinking it would be one of the later editions like the copy I read in the 1970's. It turned out to be a first edition, 1955. The inscription reads "Christmas, '55. Joe Voliva."

It is somewhat quaint but still useful and interesting. The .44 Magnum was still in the future. I thought it was interesting that Keith recommended as a defensive gun for those who favor autoloaders the 1911 .45 ACP carried cocked and locked. He preferred revolvers, of course, mostly because he felt the 1911 shot too low when point shooting.

Note the subtitle: "The Standard Reference Work." The old boy was never shy! But, really, it was probably accurate. Keith was probably the first to take the handgun to the point he did, in terms of maximum effectiveness and versatility.

 

[TAROMAN]

Great find.
Sixguns was hard read for me, as Keith rambles around a lot.
My favorite is "Hell, I Was There!"

 

[moosedog]

That's a really good find. You make me want to reread my copy.
Thanks.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I was browsing around on abe.com and found Keith's book for sale for $25. I bought it, thinking it would be one of the later editions like the copy I read in the 1970's. It turned out to be a first edition, 1955. The inscription reads "Christmas, '55. Joe Voliva."

It is somewhat quaint but still useful and interesting. The .44 Magnum was still in the future. I thought it was interesting that Keith recommended as a defensive gun for those who favor autoloaders the 1911 .45 ACP carried cocked and locked. He preferred revolvers, of course, mostly because he felt the 1911 shot too low when point shooting.

Note the subtitle: "The Standard Reference Work." The old boy was never shy! But, really, it was probably accurate. Keith was probably the first to take the handgun to the point he did, in terms of maximum effectiveness and versatility.

This book, like most of Elmer's stuff, should be "required reading" for anyone interested in guns. The 1911 in Condition 1 is still a top choice today, and many are surprised to find that other "revolver men" thought so highly of it.

Often, they are just a surprised to find out that Jeff Cooper, who gave us the "modern technique of the pistol," and who advocated the 1911 .45, used and enjoyed many S&W revolvers. People are also surprised to learn that Col. Cooper often employed point shooting, which he called "reflexive" shooting, although he put more focus in training on the Weaver stance and the use of sights, saying that most cases called for that method.

It is a good idea for all of us to go back every once in a while and read Elmer Keith, Askins (both of them), Jordan, Cooper, Skelton, Aagaard, Chauncey Thomas (remember him?), Walter Winans, Ed McGivern, Applegate and others.

It always surprises me to learn that many of these youngsters at these various academies have not only not read these original sources, but have no idea who they are or what they had discovered.

Often, for example, they try something and announce it as new to the collective yawns of those of us who have read about how this or that author tried whatever is now advocated as the latest and greatest about 75 to 100 years ago.

Good show for buying a book and actually reading. It seems to have become almost a "lost art."

 

[M29since14]

I didn't realize Keith had updated the book. I probably first read it in the early-70s, but I have no idea what happened to my copy now, so have no way to know when it was printed - can't even recall whether it looked like your copy or not. I don't recall seeing any mention of the 44 Magnum, so that tells me something. I believe my copy was lost when my mother sold her home, and likely was trashed by the new owner - along with several things like that "from the old days." You are absolutely correct when you said he "was never shy" about his exploits. In fact, I think Keith was so sure of his thinking that he was probably astonished that anyone disagreed with him.

 

[JP@AK]

Good find! Congratulations. The first edition is one of the books still absent from my collection. I'll find one one of these days.
As someone has said, having the book is one thing. But reading it is where the true value is. I usually read this kind of stuff as soon as I acquire it. If I later buy a different edition, I read it too. There are few things more satisfying than the acquisition of knowledge - especially if you are willing to pass it along. The latter is one of the things I like best about this Forum! I learn stuff from you guys nearly every day.
Jack

 

[jrhoney]

You found a copy of Sixguns for $25?! What sort of witchcraft are you practicing. I am still looking for one in good nick here in Idaho.

 

[rboineau]

I have a later (1970's) copy of "Sixguns", bought back then and sent to Keith for inscription, that has added material including 44 Magnum testing and comment. You'll know the edition by its red/black/white dustjacket.

 

[dewey]

Is this another chance to bring up 1950 .44SPL Targets? He preferred the 4 inch IIRC...

I believe his favorite all time revolver.

 

[DWalt]

Abebooks is always the first place I go to look for any book. You name it, it will probably be there. And usually several copies of it from different vendors at different prices. Surprising what books you can find on eBay also.

By the way, Bill Jordan's old book "No Second Place Winner" is about as good as it gets when it comes to learning basic gunfighting. But I'll bet most younger shooters have never heard of him.

 

[hotrod150]

Bill Jordan.....didn't he play basketball?

 

[JP@AK]

By the way, Bill Jordan's old book "No Second Place Winner" is about as good as it gets when it comes to learning basic gunfighting. But I'll bet most younger shooters have never heard of him.

This is a very fun book to read. I recently got a copy from a friend, along with a bunch of other fine volumes. I had wanted to read it for a very long time, but had never found a copy I could afford. Nice copies are expensive, even on the Internet. But it is definitely a "must read" volume.
I remember when I was a teenager, Bill Jordan came to the town I lived in to do a demo shoot with the great Eldon Carl, who was a local police officer and mentor to my brother and me. I'll never forget those guys doing their thing. It inspired me to do a lot more practice with my handguns.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Bill Jordan.....didn't he play basketball?

Please!!!

 

[gagunner 2]

"Hell,I was there", is another of his books.amazing how things were a hundred years ago.Life was tough and so were the people.

 

[Bodyguard]

I remember my Dad calling me to the TV one Saturday afternoon [ when I was a kid we did play outside ], he wanted me to see Bill Jordan shooting aspirin tablets with wax bullets. Amazing.

 

[Nightowl]

I had no idea about U and W springs until I read that book. It is worth the read, just for the history, even if it is about 50 years since it was written. I still have my copy and have set it aside for a re-read as soon as I get the chance.

 

[rsl]

sixguns by keith

There are 11 copies on E-Bay right now.. $24.95 and up..

 

[AEM]

Glad to see so many who appreciate Keith and good books. I almost didn't post, thinking no one would care!

 

[AEM]

Abebooks has "print on demand" copies for sale also. This photo, which is not in the first edition of "Sixguns," is shown in the description for the print on demand books.

I absolutely love this photo. It really shows that Keith had a flair for drama and self-promotion. I also like how dynamic the photo is, unlike the common pics of him standing up, shooting from the hip, with his big hat on and a cigar clenched in his teeth. He seems to be re-enacting some of the incidents he wrote about in which he was thrown by a bronc or knocked down by a wounded elk and had to use his sixgun(s) to save his life.

And look at the fancy clothes, boots and spurs!