Canfield's Corner (Older Content)

As you've probably noticed, I haven't had many postings on the site lately.  This isn't due to any lack of interest but my plate's been pretty full these past couple of months and I hope to resuming posting on a more or less regular basis. I've in the midst of working on my next book and cranking out a few magazine articles as well.  In the meantime, I've been giving some thought as to what may be the collecting trends for U.S. martial arms for 2017.  The only change from the past few years that may happen is a bit...

A few weeks ago I was invited to have a book signing at a large area gun show. I have only been to one gun show in the last ten years, but had a free weekend and took the organizers up on their gracious offer.  On the second day of the show (Sunday) I at was at my table and a gentleman walked in and inquired if I might be interested in a Smith & Wesson M1940 9mm Light Rifle.  These are very uncommon and rarely seen on the market. I had written an article on the weapon for American Rifleman several years ago and used the...

There have been several television programs over the past couple of years featuring Second World War film footage in color. Many of  us  who have seen countless black & white films and photographs of WWII over the years found the color footage put different perspective on things and, in many cases, made the conflict that happen 7 decades ago more vivid.  There are also a number of original color photos dating from WWII exhibiting  various degrees of tint and tone...some look like they could have been taken yesterday and others are faded and washed-out.  Most of the really great images...

After a number of months, the revamp of my website has been completed.  The Home Page now features scrolling images of key weapons in each of my books with an ordering link for each.  However, the coolest new feature is that I can now upload images onto “Canfield’s Corner.” As you have already noted, there is an image of a M1941 Johnson rifle along with a bayonet and scabbard and a Marine Paratrooper unit patch.  This rifle is one of the favorite pieces in my collection as it is one of relatively few U.S. military weapons of WWII that can...

After reading the above, you’re probably thinking “duh, that’s obvious.” Well, maybe not. I am prompted to make this comment after reading yet another letter from a reader of an article of mine in American Rifleman magazine. While there have been more than a few on previous articles, the last letter of this type was forwarded to me by the NRA staff regarding an article I wrote a few months ago about the Ithaca Model 37 military shotgun. To quote the first paragraph of the letter…”As always, I enjoyed the history and information in the May Rifleman article ‘Ithaca Earns Its Stripes.”...