Investigator Weapons, volume 1: 1920s & 1930s

Investigator Weapons for Call of Cthulhu in the Classic era is a comprehensive collection of weapons available to stalwart investigators of the Cthulhu Mythos and their crazed cultist opponents.

Investigator Weapons covers handguns, rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, machine guns, flamethrowers, melee weapons, explosives, and special ammunition; and gathers together all the spot rules for injury, environmental conditions, and firearms combat in one place, as well as introducing many optional rules for enhanced play.

Hans-Christian Vortisch (author of Cthulhu – Waffen-Handbuch, GURPS High-Tech, GURPS Martial Arts: Fairbairn Close Combat Systems, and GURPS Tactical Shooting) has selected several dozens of the most typical or iconic weapons available to the discerning shooter in the 1920s and 1930s. These range from the famous Colt M1911 and Thompson submachine gun to lesser known but more widespread firearms.

Each weapon is illustrated and described in detail, as are variant models. Significantly, each weapon’s operation is described, as are its typical malfunctions. Finishing each weapon description is the movie use of the weapon – so you can see it in action – and a comprehensive statistics bar.

Keepers are not forgotten either. Typical weapons for non-player characters are suggested, as are likely weapons for cultists from around the world. A Keeper’s chapter examines the consequences of magic on firearms and ammunition, and the effect of firearms on Mythos creatures.

Investigator Weapons – the essential weapons book for Keepers and players of all editions of Call of Cthulhu.

This edition of the book has been corrected, and the layout and photos revised. A seventh edition chapter has been added making ithe book fully compatible with Call of Cthulhu seventh edition. The book is available as PDF and POD from this site. This new POD version is visibly superior to the previous version and uses heavier weight paper too.

This is what some reviewers had to say about Investigator Weapons:

“Maybe it’s the history buff in me or maybe I just like old weapons more than I thought. Whatever the reason, the angle this book took won me over ... I didn’t want to like this book, but I did. I think fans of the game or weapon buffs will too.” ‒ Todd Cash (Flames Rising)

“The obvious amount of scholarly research that has gone into this book is truly awe-inspiring. Despite the fact that I’m probably less fascinated with firearms than most (both in real-life and in Call of Cthulhu), I can’t help but agree with the sentiment that this is destined to be one of those “must have” books for Cthulhu gamers. Keepers interested in injecting additional realism and danger around weapon use will find plenty of stuff here ... as will players who (perhaps foolishly) seek more firepower to combat the forces of the Mythos.” ‒ Dean Engelhardt (Cthulhu Reborn)

“The style of writing is witty and engaging with just the right tempo without reverting to a stiletto style. Lavishly illustrated with loads of real world photographs and period piece advertisements gives the impression that one is flipping through the Sears Roback [sic] or equivalent from the day.” ‒ Kafka (RPG.net)