on the part of the non-collector and visitor to the gun room. The more highly specialized and detailed a collection becomes, the less interesting it is to the public at large. As is often the case, especially with technically detailed collections (where the placement of a screw or a variant of a maker’s mark may cause many hundreds of dollars difference in price), the owner finds it very difficult to talk enthusiastically to the casual non-collector gun room visitor. Although the collection may have great monetary value, it is of interest only to another dyed-in-the-wool collector. An arms group broader in scope and possibly associated with an historical era rather than concentrating on manufacturing variances will lend itself more easily to a display that is easily understood by the non-gun person. The majority of people visiting a collector’s home or office, or wherever the pieces are displayed, are most likely not fellow collectors. It is easier and generally more enjoyable, to give an interesting, or even exciting, tour through one’s collection if it is of this broader scope. There is no intent here to disparage those highly specialized collections heavy in technical variations, for such pursuits are highly regarded and have made their own contributions to the antique arms field. It is obvious, though, that one loses his listening audience the more he becomes involved in detail and esoteric points. Thus, depending on one’s needs and social mindedness, it is well worth remembering to what degree and with whom the collector would like to share his collecting activities.
Many are the avenues down which the collector may travel in pursuit of his hobby; the possibilities are just about limitless. Here are a few categories for starters: American military long guns or handguns; firearms of the Civil War or Indian War periods; firearms used by the frontiersmen covering the entire mid- and late 19th century; highly decorated American arms; arms of the same type used by famous Americans; firearms of specific American makers (either mass produced or hand crafted types); all guns made of one specific caliber (caliber 45-70 is a favorite in this field); firearms of unique mechanical designs; firearms designed for specific purposes (i.e., target rifles, fowling pieces for bird shooting, small bore hunting rifles, etc.) or guns bearing inscriptions tying them to specific events.
Quite a few arms of foreign manufacture played direct and important roles in various eras of American history. The two most notable were the Colonial, pre-Revolutionary years and the 1861-1865 Civil War years. The wide importation of those pieces (often under direct U.S. Government purchase or contract) and their wide acceptance and use during those periods have endeared them to the American gun collector. Such pieces are quite often found in well-rounded collections of American guns which encompass the respective eras. A few foreign pieces were so widely used and highly regarded that they are given equal status as an “American” collectors’ item and are considered a necessary inclusion in certain American arms collections. The famed British “Brown Bess” of the American Colonial era, the French Model 1763 flintlock musket of Revolutionary America and the French made LeMat “grape shot” revolver of the Civil War period are certainly prime examples of these types. Other European pieces that are either direct infringements on American guns or made under license are noteworthy pieces for inclusion in American arms collections. European infringements of early Colts, Smith & Wessons, Winchesters and Henry rifles are prime examples of these types.
STARTING A COLLECTION
The reasons for collecting antique firearms are endless, but certain ones are basic. Although the investment angle must play a role, it should be but part and parcel of stronger motivations which tie the collecting activities to some personal preference that has captured the imagination and curiosity of the prospective collector. Appetites for gun collecting are often whetted by mechanical ingenuity, artistic features or historic associations. The possibilities and potential in collecting antique American arms are virtually unlimited; but these must be matched to both one’s pocketbook and the amount of time one can devote to what can become a possessive mistress.
Probably the best approach to beginning a collection is to assemble a basic arms library and read those books thoroughly. But, alas, years of stressing this point and offering the same advice many times over has found it to be the least often accepted counsel. Whether time is too precious or gun money tends to burn a large hole in one’s pocket, it seems the neophyte collector just cannot visualize that book hanging on two hooks on the wall! This note of sarcasm is well intended, if the collector-to-be can persevere and acquire a few recommended basic primers, he will find his money very well spent indeed. Larger city libraries are bound to have a good shelf of gun books as do many of the larger book stores; a few dealers specialize in arms books and issue catalogs, or, a visit to a gun show will usually find dealers with a wide variety of titles on hand. The Bibliography, Chapter IV, should be found helpful as a guide to basic works. Thoroughly digesting such primers will provide a good cursory knowledge of what gun collecting is all about. Recommended as a basic starter is the recently published “331 Essential Tips and Tricks for the Gun Collector” by S.C. Mowbray (2006). See Biblio. Chapter IV.
Armed with the basics, the next order of progression should be some astute travel—to a museum featuring a well-rounded or specialized collection (quite a few of these will be found throughout the country), to a gun collector’s home, to a dealer specializing in antique arms, or to a nearby gun show; (none of these need be in any special order). New horizons will quickly be opened, especially at that visit to the first show where anywhere from a hundred to a thousand (or more!) tables may be seen displaying and offering for sale thousands of antique guns; a fascinating and unforgettable experience. Probably on display will be more guns than can be seen in most individual museums, plus a variety of accessories, parts and literature. The shows also offer an excellent forum for meeting with a very wide cross-section of collectors and dealers.
On the assumption the aspiring collector was able to attend that first gun show and not purchase anything (but some books), the next logical step should be to subscribe to a few of the regularly issued periodicals devoted to or featuring articles on collectors’ arms. The importance of belonging to the National Rifle Association cannot be over-emphasized. Their highly respected and widely circulated publication The American Rifleman contains a great many informative articles for the gun collector, and the Association offers services to collectors who are members. Other periodicals devoted entirely to antique arms are of great value to the collector and should be subscribed to (see details in Bibliography). A host of other magazines covering modern weapons is readily available, and most of these carry some articles on antique and collectors’ firearms. The importance of all these periodicals to the neophyte is not only their wealth of informative articles, but the profusion of advertisements of dealers and collectors nationwide who are offering their services or their lists or their items for sale. One of the best mediums of exchanges in the antique arms business is mail order. Advertisements and listings for all the regularly scheduled gun shows throughout the country will also be found in these publications.
Before money is laid down for that first gun, it would be wise to have selected a general area in which to confine one’s collecting activities. Likely a choice was made by reading and by studying museum and private collections; at least some general guidelines should have been established, and the search for specimens can be confined to within a given category. A key asset for the neophyte is a mentor whose opinion is valued (and who is not trying to sell one of his own guns!); an outside impartial opinion as to the wisdom of the first choice will do much to start the collector on the right foot when making that first selection at a gun show or at a dealer’s shop; it is also a great aid in building self-confidence. If on his own, then good common sense and judgment of human nature should take precedence when assessing circumstances surrounding the purchase of that first piece. Checking the reputation of a dealer or collector source is a worthy step, and remember that a guarantee, either verbal or written, is only as good as the party giving it.
The matter of GUARANTEES is worth dwelling on for a moment. Regardless of what one might be told about a gun, and even if said data is committed to writing, there are so many vagaries involved that unless the party making the guarantee is reputable, it will be found worthless. Proving an item is not what it is stated to be in a court of law is a highly involved process and a costly one as well. Courts and (most) lawyers know nothing about antique guns, so it is a matter of hiring witnesses (an expensive matter) and trying to educate judge and possibly jury as well! Unless a gun is worth many