The Vickers Guide series of firearm reference books was launched in 2015 with the release of Vickers Guide: 1911. Since that time, Vickers Guide has released eight new titles and has become the gold standard for reference books, merging the insight of genuine subject matter experts with true-to-life photography of a highly curated selection of firearms of historic significance.

In the years since the 2015 release of Vickers Guide: 1911, we have photographed many additional noteworthy firearms from throughout the life of the 1911 that, in order to better tell the story of the 1911 pistol, needed to be incorporated into a Second Edition the book. Accompanying these newly photographed pistols, we have added hundreds of additional images and a considerable amount of new commentary. In fact, there is so much additional content for this Second Edition of the 1911 book, that we are splitting it into two separate volumes – each being larger than the original First Edition.

This First Volume of Vickers Guide: 1911, Second Edition starts at the very beginning of the history of the 1911 pistol, specifically with Colt Special Army Model of 1911, serial number 5. This is the very gun that fired 6,000 rounds in the military pistol trials held in 1911 to defeat its competitor produced by Savage Arms Company. From there, we track the development of military and commercial production of the 1911 through the First World War, highlighting variants produced by Colt (including contracts for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the British Empire), Springfield Armory, Remington-UMC, and North American Arms. Shown along the way are a number of experimental prototypes, such as the light projecting, blank firing, and gallery practice training variants.

From the years between the two world wars, the Colt ACE models are featured, as are a selection of Super .38 models, an Experimental Brastil prototype, and examples showcasing the development of the 1911A1. Progressing into the Second World War, we cover numerous examples produced by Colt, Singer Manufacturing Company, Ithaca Gun Company, Remington Rand, and Union Switch & Signal. Continuing to production after the war, we highlight the M15 General Officer Pistol produced at Rock Island Arsenal and delve into the development and production of the National Match pistols. Finally, this First Volume of Vickers Guide: 1911, Second Edition gives a very thorough look into the various models of 1911 in use by modern military and law enforcement units, including variants used by U.S. counter-terrorism teams, special operations, and SWAT.

Featuring over 90 pistols, Vickers Guide: 1911 (Volume 1), Second Edition gives the reader a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into some of the rarest and most significant 1911 pistols produced throughout its long and distinguished history. In the process, Larry Vickers and James Rupley have teamed up with renowned firearms instructor Ken Hackathorn and custom 1911 builder Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision, as well as a number of other subject matter experts, whose cumulative insights allow for an extraordinary, and unparalleled, presentation.

Vickers Guide: 1911 (Volume 1), Second Edition presents this highly curated collection of firearms in never-before-seen detail on larger than life, wide format, full color prints in a premium hardback form. Vickers Guide: 1911 is the next best thing to having these exceptional collector’s grade firearms in your own personal collection.