Redsetter wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2018 at 9:19am:


No question it's a labor of love.  A huge amount of time is required to research and write up the material and it’s highly unlikely the author will ever make a profit considering the time & resources spent.  But it's relatively easy these days to publish a book using one of the many “vanity press” companies that utilizes digital printing technology, which is the approach I took with my Browning BPCR book.

Depending on the book size, page count, color (B&W or color photos), cover design, one can have the 1st batch of 25 hardbound books printed for around $1,000, possibly less.  And that includes the fee for obtaining an ISBN, bar code and Library of Congress number.  I started out ordering 25 books at a time, progressed to 50 books and finally to 100 book orders.  Other considerations must include the time and effort required to “market” the book, setup ordering methods, and package and ship orders.  And unless the author finds a way to constantly “stay in the eye” of potential buyers, book sales quickly dies a slow death.  Amazon.com is one method to list books but they take a huge bite out of the profits.  I’ve sold a few books through Amazon and on GunBroker, but the vast majority has been though my website ( (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links))

After updating the material twice (currently on the 3rd Edition) and growing the page count from 249 to 418 pages, I’ve shipped well over 1000 copies and the net profits don’t come close to covering the time spent.  But the personal satisfaction benefits make it worthwhile.

Wayne

marlinguy wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2018 at 11:18am:


Obviously had the good sense to realize that there was a practical limit to the amount most Ballard collectors would pay!  Had the book been only twice as large & twice as expensive, I wouldn't have it. 

Redsetter wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2018 at 12:28pm:


I think it would have easily sold to Ballard collectors if it was twice as big, and twice the original price. But I think it sold to many others who weren't Ballard collectors simply because of it's size and price.
Collectors of specific firearms are much more likely to pay higher prices and get more data than those who simply might have a passing interest. I never planned to pay what Warren Greatbatch's two volume Hartford Pope set cost either. But once I purchased mine I went straight to a book seller at the same show and bought the set. I just saw no reason to own it if I didn't own a Hartford Pope.

I hope somebody finds out.  If nothing else, considering the stellar job Mr. Dutcher did on Ballards, the person who does finally decide to do a Stevens book would be years ahead if he had at least access to that data.

Bill Lawrence

I have been considering giving all of my Stevens research material the the ASSRA on my passing. Part of the problem is having it all orginized in one place in a manner that would make it simplid for my family to pack it up and ship it to them. Most of what I have is out there but not necessarily in one place.

slumlord44 wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2018 at 10:18pm:


Problem could be a lot worse...because, while I've always planned the same thing, there's no family to do anything! 

Uscra112:

I have a .25-20 SS Stevens Model 44 serial no. 047427. 
It has the J Stevens A &T Co. stamp on top of a No. 2 barrel. 
It has a 6 o'clock extractor.
It has a No.1 Lyman Combination (second variation) rear tang sight.

Preseently up for sale on Canadian Gun Nutz:

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