Single Action Sixguns (Book by John Taffin)

[bergmen]

I just received this book today and I'm leafing through it. Lots of great stuff in this book but I noticed something weird on the cover. It has a picture of what is described as: "Colt SAA ca. 45 factory engraved by Cuno Helfricht, circa 1893"

Check out the picture of the cover. Either this is the only single action revolver with the loading gate on the left side or the picture is reversed. I don't know how they goofed that up it must be somewhat embarrassing to the publisher.

 

[s4s4u]

Ooops

 

[hittman]

Being left handed it looks perfectly normal to me

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Yep. The ejector rod ass'y also gives it away. ;)


It might not be a Colt. Who was the guy who built the "left-hand specials"?

 

[BoggusDeal]

Texas Longhorn Arms were a complete mirror of single actions. Loading gate on the left. Ejector on the left.

 

[bergmen]

Texas Longhorn Arms were a complete mirror of single actions. Loading gate on the left. Ejector on the left.

That's very interesting, never knew that before (easy to look up and get the whole picture).

The book says the picture on the cover is a Colt SAA.

Dan

 

[41Dude]

How about a rare left hand Mosin-Nagant bolt action.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Texas Longhorn Arms were a complete mirror of single actions. Loading gate on the left. Ejector on the left.

That's who I was thinking of . . . thanks.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

My opinion is...That's flat out a bootleg counterfeit copy. ( And, probably Chinese. )
Mr Taffin has been gone less than 6 months, and would NEVER have stood for such an egregious blasphemy of his work!

 

[contender]

Yes,, the TLA's are like the picture shown, with the loading gate & all on the left side.

I just pulled out my "signed to me,, by John" copy of that book. My copy has a Colt on it.
I call the picture above a counterfeit copy.

 

[jimbo1096]

This is what my copy looks like

 

[Ale-8(1)]

^^^ Yup, looks correct. Thanks.

Is the bad cover the only fake, or is there a complete "stolen" book itself? :unsure:

 

[Chief 101]

Just like Jimbo's copy

 

[bergmen]

Yes,, the TLA's are like the picture shown, with the loading gate & all on the left side.

I just pulled out my "signed to me,, by John" copy of that book. My copy has a Colt on it.
I call the picture above a counterfeit copy.

There are two editions, 2005 and 2018. Publishers name and webpage addy is on the initial page. I should write them and see what they say.

Dan

 

[contender]

Yep,, my copy looks like these last 2 pics.


I find it interesting that someone has figured it to be profitable to counterfeit a book that's not hard to find nor very expensive.

 

[bergmen]

I just e-mailed the publisher and asked about the cover photo. I'll report if they respond.

Dan

 

[Arizonagunsmith]

It's printed from a flipped negative (photo) to ensure the edges of the photo for the cover is sharp.
Fairly common back in the days of film cameras.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I just searched the 'net for the title. I find all kinds of offerings. The ones with the proper red cover appear to all be original 2005 printings, but the black cover ones are mentioned as 2018 reprints. There may even be a paperback of the 2018 version from 2023.

I'd guess the error is only with the cover photo, which may actually make those even more of a collector item. :ROFLMAO: "Collect the entire set."

I'm prepared to accept better documentation. ;)

 

[el caminero]

Yep,, my copy looks like these last 2 pics.


I find it interesting that someone has figured it to be profitable to counterfeit a book that's not hard to find nor very expensive.

Like selling fake invicta watches...

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I'm guessing it's a legitimate reprint wearing an unfortunately done cover.

 

[el caminero]

These reprints come out of a company in the basement of a log cabin. Might be a story, there. They offer a variety from playing pacman, to using botanicals, and shadows in your watercolors.

 

[Fiddler33]

I will be curious to see what the company says.

 

[bergmen]

I just got an e-mail reply from the publisher:

"Hello Dan,
Thanks for contacting Echo Point about the cover for John Taffin's Single Action Sixguns.
It appears that the cover designer flipped the image for design reasons. You have a very good eye! You're the first to bring this to our attention since our reprint edition was released in 2018.

You're also correct about the type gun. The original image is in fact a Colt SAA. The copyright page gives the attribution:

Cover art: Colt SAA ca. 45 factory engraved by Cuno Helfricht,
circa 1893, courtesy of Hmaag / Wikimedia

We very much hope you're enjoying the book in spite of the cover error.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes,
Anneka"
This is my original e-mail I sent on 8/17:

I just received a copy of John Taffin's book "Single Action Sixguns" from Barnes and Noble book store.

The photo on the cover shows what is identified as a Colt SAA revolver made in 1893.

The photo (if it is of a Colt SAA) is reversed showing the loading gate and ejector rod on the left-hand side. All Colt (and most other) single action revolvers have these on the right-hand side.

Is this an error?

Dan

 

[dobegrant.45]

My copy also looks like the lasttwo

 

[protoolman]

There are cheap copies with bad pictures of Sixguns by Keith and even paperback versions also. At some point do authors or their estates let any fly by night outfit reprint all their old books for just a small profit?

 

[Flat Top]

This cover is reversed.

The Person that owned Texas Longhorn Arms was Bill Grover. That is not one of his weapons on that cover.

 

[bergmen]

This cover is reversed.

The Person that owned Texas Longhorn Arms was Bill Grover. That is not one of his weapons on that cover.

See post #23.

Dan

 

[Johnnu2]

This is what my copy looks like

View attachment 79789

MY COPY IS LIKE jimbo's TOO....

J.