the fact that on many other types of American guns the serial number has yet to be found of any significance to collecting, and the best response on certain pieces to a very low digit serial is, “So what!” Although the numbers occasionally play a role in pricing, it is up to the reader to determine just how much by considering the other influencing factors.
10. Bores
Bores often play a significant role in establishing and affecting value. At times they are a primary factor, while with a great many other guns, bores play no influencing factor whatsoever. Generally, the importance of the bore condition may be weighed in direct proportion to the purpose of the weapon. For very fine percussion bench rest target rifles, long-range and mid-range single shot breech-loading target rifles, and items similar in nature, the bore was obviously an important feature when these arms were made and sold, and thus it is equally important to the collector today. On the opposite end of the scale are many guns (e.g., small pocket pistols) on which the bore is of no consequence whatsoever. Between these two poles lies a vast amount of pieces in which bores are of varying degrees of importance. Not a few collectors would immediately rule a piece out unless it has a fine bore; for others the bore is completely unimportant. The subject is also treated in those sections within this book devoted to guns where bore condition is a critical detail. Although the odds are heavily weighed against most collectors shooting an antique gun, part and parcel of the inspection process of a breechloader is to look down the bore; on muzzle loaders one goes out of his way to do so only with target rifles where this feature is absolutely important. A poor bore will very likely detract from both demand and price of a very fine quality piece, especially those designed for fine target shooting; a deteriorated bore or one ringed inside with a bulge evident on the outside of the barrel is a detriment to any gun and will detract both in price and demand. On handguns, bores are generally unimportant on the smaller caliber models, while on the larger sizes, especially pieces designed for target shooting, bores play a more dominant role.
Outstanding gold and silver mounted percussion sporting rifle in its original fitted case with accessories c.1850. Made by Daniel B. Wesson of Hartford, Conn. who, in 1854 with Horace Smith, founded one of America’s most famous arms manufactories: Smith & Wesson. (from N. Flayderman & Co. Catalog No. 104 of Oct., 1980)
Chapter III
Restoration and Fakes Where the Fine Line is Drawn
Spurious specimens and fraudulent practices are by no means of epidemic proportions; no more so than in any other field of collecting where valuable items are offered for sale. The collector is cautioned to be aware that in the antique arms field there have been, and continue to be, a certain number of unscrupulous individuals eager and willing to dupe the unwitting, the unsuspecting and the careless. Buyer ignorance and avarice are both dangerous where high values are concerned. Nefarious individuals have been active since the beginnings of the hobby, and new crops do come along. One of the earliest American periodicals devoted to this hobby, the Magazine of Antique Firearms, in its August, 1911 issue, discussed the widespread practice of making bogus antiques of all types, arms included, and looking “...upon the people of the U.S. as their best customers.” True, such fakery was in all likelihood confined to European firearms, not becoming a cottage industry on U.S. shores until years later concurrent with the increased interest and value of American antique guns. If studies were made and graphs plotted, the lines reflecting the increase in values, the increase in collector numbers and the increase in forgers would merge. Fortunately it may be said that the good guys outnumber the bad guys by far, but forewarned is forearmed.
Gun clubs and organizations over the years have drawn codes of ethics and conduct applicable to both collectors and dealers. The most widely known is that of the National Rifle Association, reproduced in full at the end of this chapter. These codes generally identify practices relating to gun collecting that are considered unethical as well as general practices of unethical business behavior; the latter are for the most part relevant to any type of business transaction and not necessarily peculiar to arms collecting. These codes are both well intentioned and indisputable for their moral tenets. Although they function as guideposts and are observed (often in varying degrees) by most of the collecting world, a certain element exists who is either unaware of these codes—or would like to be. An honorable person would conduct himself according to the code while someone with larceny in his heart would ignore the rules whenever possible. A few comments should be made regarding codes in the light of reality; in other words, not what people should do, but what they in fact do! The reader should be aware that some recommended ethical practices are infrequently followed. Two especially flagrant examples are: (A) A marking under the stocks or elsewhere to indicate both date and nature of work performed when antique guns are either refinished or modern engraved; (B) Indication by a seller to a buyer that a piece has had “legitimate” restoration or completion of missing parts. In item A, it is rare to have a piece so marked, and the removal of such markings at some future date is a simple matter. In item B, a seller often advises a buyer that a piece has been restored, and to what extent; however, that story is usually watered down in the course of trades and sales down the line to the point where it is completely forgotten, overlooked or omitted in time. Thus, although the ethical practices of codes are worth following and often are, in the reality of gun trading certain rules are subject to abuse. Gradually or quickly as a piece changes hands, no one will remember exactly what happened, and it is very much up to the eyesight and judgment of the buyer to spot any inconsistencies on his own.
Following a code of ethics is a most worthy objective, but the buyer should always remember that he may be traveling in perilous waters. He should take nothing for granted, and rely on his own basic instincts, common sense and better judgment.
An absorbing book by a highly respected arms authority and one heartily recommended to all collectors interested in detecting fakes is How Do You Know It’s Old? by Harold L. Peterson. Covering a wide range of interests, with a wealth of material on antique arms, it lays to rest many of the oft-quoted conundrums of collecting circles when trying to justify a questionable piece, e.g., “...it couldn’t be a fake; nobody could spend all that time necessary to produce that and make any money,” or “...I know this has to be old because of the circumstances under which I acquired it.” The collector would do well to familiarize himself with the Peterson book, and may save considerable grief and money by absorbing a number of the finer points discussed.
Also worthy of the collector’s attention, as it covers not only the foregoing subject but much of what follows here as well, is 331 + Essential Tips and Tricks; a How-To Guide for the Gun Collector by S.C. Mowbray (see Biblio.)
What constitutes an ethical or “legitimate” restoration and differentiates it from an unethical or “illegitimate” one is quite debatable indeed. The subject begs for accurate definitions, yet constantly evades them. Not a few attempts have been made. Many of the definitions of “legitimate” restorations have apparent validity, but all seem to be the reflections of personal tastes of the interpreter. To further complicate matters, what is “legitimate” and what is not has had some change over the years. In current day practice certain restorations formerly thought “illegitimate” have acquired an air quite the opposite. An evolutionary process is at work as far as acceptability is concerned.
Bear in mind that almost anything man has made, another can reproduce or duplicate. Our intent here is not to philosophize about such practices nor suggest more codes condemning them, but rather to advise the reader what to expect by pointing out a few of the more obvious violations and how they might be detected.
The basic tenet which follows has proven itself valuable on countless occasions and is one which the author personally subscribes to and recommends: If in doubt, if a piece looks wrong or has something about it that you cannot put your finger on, if it just does not add up in your mind, the chances are the gun is wrong—pass it by. Very likely a few good pieces may be missed this way, but the law of averages will prove the practice a sound one. The mere fact that in looking at a gun one has an uneasy feeling is usually sufficient to indicate something is wrong.