Noted firearms author and "EmmaGeeMan" Robert G. Segel, known for his knowledge of all things machine gun, has passed away. 

On his website, Segel notes that his interest in machine guns was sparked at age nine when his father gave him a deactivated STEN Mk. II "that was bought at a local gun show for the princely sum of $25." He began to share his plethora of information in the pages of Machine Gun News in 1990, ultimately penning over 400 articles for a variety of firearms publications as well as having a hand in no less than 22 books. 

A former senior editor for Small Arms Review and Small Arms Defense Journal magazine, his regular Machine Gun Memorabilia column and articles ran in the latter for over 20 years. Besides a series of coloring books on machine guns and military history, he helped compile The Vickers Machine Gun: Pride of the Emma Gees in 2020 and The Handbook of Machine Gun Support Equipment and Accessories 1895-1945.

"We are very sorry to announce that our dear friend Robert G. Segel, former Senior Editor of Small Arms Review, passed away last night," noted the publication on social media. "He was one of the most prominent machine gun historians in the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

Jeff Zimba author of a number of black rifle books and host of the Bigshooterist Channel on YouTube was friends with Segel and had worked with him at Small Arms Review. 

"He was a family man with a passion for sharing our craft and he always did just that, with class," said Zimba. 

A resident of Wisconsin, Segel had two children and three grandchildren.

Banner photos:  Robert G. Segel's EmmaGeeMan website.