Recently, I needed some background on the history and development of the Browning Hi Power pistol for some writing projects. For books on firearms’ history, especially military weapons, the best source for the past forty plus years has been Collector Grade Publications. What I didn’t realize until recently was that the founder – Robert Blake Stevens – passed in 2018 and the company had closed down. These great books are out of print, and getting more expensive. But, if you want the details, these are the books to acquire.

Collector Grade Publications was founded in 1979 in Canada. After working for two decades as a systems analyst and programmer Stevens decided it was time for a change. Stevens played the trumpet, was interested in art and design, had a large collection of firearms and for a while ran Collector Grade Parts and Accessories which bought and sold firearms and accessories. In 1979, Collector Grade Publications began printing books on firearms. However, these were not your average books covering the history, development and use of firearms. Stevens and other authors covered these subjects in detail with technical drawings, letters and exchanges between different people involved and all the small changes that occurred to a firearm throughout the years. Reading one of Collector Grade Publications books would almost make you an expert of the subject matter.

For example, their “Black Rifle” series, I and II, on the M16/AR15 platform are the “bibles” on this platform. This is the place to discover how the rifle evolved, with quotes from Eugene Stoner concerning the design and the trial-and-error developments that occurred before and after the rifle’s introduction. I thought I knew a lot about the “black rifle” until reading these books. Their book on the Browning Hi Power, which was updated in 2014, is very interesting. Reading through this book reveals how much of the pistol we know and love was actually designed by Dieudonne Saive – designer of the FAL rifle - after John Browning’s death. If you’re a fan of S&W “K” frame revolvers, Collector Grade has you covered. They also published a book on development on the .357 Magnum cartridge, which was introduced in 1935.

The added bonus of purchasing a book from Stevens’ company was the quality of their books. They were expensive, but a bargain considering they were printed on excellent paper, captured in between bound hardback covers. These books were made to last, which is a great thing because Collector Grade Publications is no longer in business. Yes, you can still find copies of their books on Amazon and other internet sites. However, you’re going to be paying more for books that are no longer in print. Expensive? Yes, but still worth the cost. And with care something you can pass down to the next generation of new shooters coming up in the ranks.

Maybe someday the Collector Grade series will be formatted for digital distribution, which will surely reduce the cost. If you’re like me though and like actual books, you should probably start collecting the titles you’re interested in now. Most likely as time goes by, they will only increase in price, perhaps making them a good investment.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. www.shootrite.org or visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.