Hey guys, what are some good books to look for on the Krag rifles? I've heard about the Joe Poyer book but that seems like it's hard to find and pricey. Any other good ones out there for a beginner? Thanks!

Right here by Joe Farmer

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Money well spent.

'ABolt' - Well, I'll be d.....

Joe Poyer's book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", by North Cape Publications, must suddenly be out of print and out of stock!

Until, literally days ago, it could be found on ebay, new, for $22.95, or less. Now, I see one listed for $175!

North Cape Publications only has it listed in "Kindle" version, for $19.95.

I personally like the Poyer book, but, it is not a $175 to $225 publication!

I think you just have to be patient and North Cape Publications will probably do another printing at a reasonable price.

Frank Mallory's, "The Krag Rifle Story", is out of print. Used copies sell for around $200. The 2nd Edition has more content than the 1st Edition. It is an enjoyable and valued reference.

William Brophy's, "The Krag Rifle", has good content and shows up "used", for around $125.

I have not seen a copy of Joe Farmers, self-published work. I believe it is structured for advanced Krag students and likely avoids repeating basic 'beginner' material.

I guess it would be wise to be patient and look for copies of Mallory's, Brophy's, and Poyer's books at gun shows.

Hmmmm......

North Cape is tapering down. That is why I had to do my second book myself. Perhaps they are at the end of their supply of the Krag book? If so, I'd not expect another printing - but I could be dead wrong, since once a book is set up, changing it is relatively easy. Maybe he is going to go to POD (print on demand) as well. One of the reasons given for said tapering was to no longer have the hassle and expense of handling, and paying for storage of, inventory.

I bought his remaining stock of my first book and am now the sole supplier, or will be when the wells run dry.

Also, have received the proof copies of my new book - turn around will not take long - it will be for sale on Amazon by the end of this month. Finally!!

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FWIW - I purchased (online) an extra copy of Poyer's, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", today.

It is listed at Buymilsurp.com for $22.95, plus $8.80 postage - total $31.75.

(p.s. - Buy Dick Hosmer's fine books)!

Poyer's book is out of stock on Amazon as well. I've always wondered what algorithm produces those absurd prices (sometimes exceeding $1000) for a damn paperback. No human in their right mind would ask that. Somebody 'splain it to me, please.

Dick - Would you please post the order details on your new book (and the 'old and new package deal') on the KCA Forum.

(Culver's Pages is temporarily out of service).

p.s. - The sudden 10 fold increase in the "Price" of the 'Poyer Book' is just pure GREED on the part of some 'operators'. They should be shunned!

The new book should be on sale, on Amazon, before the end of the  month. It will be priced at $24.95 plus postage, and will, of course, be unsigned.

I should have a modest stock for signing and local gun shows, etc. by the latter part of August. Price will be $29.95 but that will include postage (thus eliminating the need for coordination). I will sign (and include custom wording if requested).

Persons wishing to obtain a (signed - that will be the default, so advise if not wanted) copy of the first book at the same time - in the same mailing - should add a flat $15.00.

This is NOT the same offer I posted on Culver (which will be corrected as soon as it is possible) but it is what I want to go with, at least at present.

Thanks for the information guys. I will keep an eye out for these to pop up for sale.

Anyone seen the Poyer book available at a decent price lately? Can't find it in stock anywhere unless I want to spend $200 for it. And that's just cutting way too much into my gun money!!

No, I have not. Joe is scaling back his operation, which is why I had to go to CreateSpace/Amazon to do my second book.

I do have another question though. What algorithm or circumstance produces the absurdly    wild prices seen (ocasionally in four figures) on Amazon for some recent paperbacks?

In the case of the SRS books (which never show up at a reasonable price) I believe it is legit, but some of the others are ridiculous.

It is probably a bad time to try and buy the 'Poyer Krag Book'.

It is probably a good time to buy Brophy's: 'The Krag Rifle'.

I have seen several, gently used ones, lately on ebay, listed for under $100.

Amazon has it now, Poyer "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine". 3rd edition.


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Good price and good time to buy! 

(Last month, 'Buymilsurps.com' failed to deliver book and failed to return communications on purchase I attempted with them. I had to contact my credit card company and protest being charged).

Saturday, I paid $34 for a new copy (with postage) on ebay. I felt lucky to find a spare copy for a 'travel reference'. I guess, I should have been more patient!

I just ordered mine! :)

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered 2. One for me one for my dad. He ordered me a book on Enfields a few days ago, figured I repay the favor.

Yelp, ordered mine also.
Vic

I received my eBay purchased, 'spare copy', of Poyer's book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", today.

It is a new 3rd Edition and was just printed in 
Middletown, Delaware, August 14, 2017.

Quickly comparing it with my 2nd Edition, there are several additional pages probably due to a few new photographs.

I am glad it is in print and relatively inexpensive, again.

Just received a 1st edition copy of Brophy's "The Krag Rifle".  I purchased the book from Ebay for $79.95.  Turns out it's autographed by the author to a Bill Mook.

Wonderful find!

Bill Mook was a collector, great researcher and Giant Authority on Krags.

He is long deceased, but, his insights and influence on the Krag knowledge base continues.

Mallory credits his great assistance in the Introduction of the "KRS".

Poyer dedicated his book: "For Lt. Colonel William R. Mook, USAF, ret., preeminent Kragologist!"

Some KCA members knew him well. I briefly chatted with him, while admiring his display, years ago, at some Ohio Gun Collectors Shows.

I'm glad his "The Krag Rifle" copy went to a good home! 

Love the book butlersrangers!

Especially the many notes, corrections and commentary's left by the previous owner.  Many of which begin with BS.

BS must be an editor's proof reading mark I guess?  ::)

'Local Boy' - I'm sure "BS" stands for Best of Springfield, Basement of Springfield, Brain Storming, or something like that. - LOL

Actually, I am jealous. I view your copy with notes and commentary, likely made by William Mook, as a great resource with valuable insights and factual corrections. You probably have the most valuable copy of Brophy's "Krag Rifle", out there!

What a neat 'Time Capsule'. It would be very interesting if you could photograph some of these notations and post them periodically on the KCA forum!

Dick Hosmer wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2017 at 2:27pm:

No, I have not. Joe is scaling back his operation, which is why I had to go to CreateSpace/Amazon to do my second book. I do have another question though. What algorithm or circumstance produces the absurdly    wild prices seen (ocasionally in four figures) on Amazon for some recent paperbacks? In the case of the SRS books (which never show up at a reasonable price) I believe it is legit, but some of the others are ridiculous.

I'm a noob when it comes to Krags so I am excited that there is a question here I can answer!!!

The reason you have seen books listed on Amazon for OUTRAGEOUS prices is very simple... they are actually out of stock.

The way these book dealers are handling their sales and inventory is the key to the problem.  When a seller lists a book on Amazon, they get charged when they sell the book and mark it out of stock... regardless of where they sell it.  To prevent having to pay to relist it (and get charged a commission upon selling) these sellers simply adjust the price to some humongous amount whenever they are out of stock.  When they get a copy back on their shelf, they put the price back down to what it should be.

It ends up being a really failed system, because people who have a copy of an old book will look on Amazon to see what it is worth and they think they are RICH!!  Then they spend 6 months trying to sell a cheap book for 30 times it's true value with no success.  It amazes me that Amazon has not changed the process to compensate for this, but until they do, we will see all kinds of low demand books listed at expensive prices and all are secretly out of stock, although they show them as available ;) 

Thanks Brokegunner for your insight!

Every time I see those crazy prices I think of your response (and I've seen many of them lately).

Amazon also has some odd practices about pricing books that they sell directly. On my first book (2006) they kept the price at the original set level for nearly ten years. On my latest book, released in August, they discounted it heavily from the start, though it is gradually rising again.

At first I was furious as there had been no explanantion, but was informed upon complaining, that they pay the royalty based on my chosen list price, no matter what they sell it for. Sort of priming the pump, I guess.

My first book covered guns which had been neglected in print and thus sold fairly well. The second book - which I should have completed much sooner - deals with exotica which most people do not own. Add to that, the collecting population has aged. I do not expect a high volume of sales, but am grateful for the print-on-demand process, as number two would never have seen the light of day under traditional publishing.

For anyone wanting to write a book, I cannot speak too highly of CreateSpace. Since I did my own photography, layout and design, my out-of-pocket costs to get it on sale were basically ZERO! My ONLY cost was purchasing a few proof copies ($5.87 delivered) as I went along.

I will second Dick's experience with Amazon and Create Space. I ended up using the new Amazon author kit that basically does what Create Space does. Out of pocket expenses s were zero. I was happy with the quality.