guns, which in all cases are based on first-hand practical experience.
Lastly, in presenting this work, it is intended to arm the reader with as many facts as possible about a particular field or specialty of collecting in order that he may have the opportunity to dig deeper for himself. To that end each chapter, or sub-group within a chapter, offers a bibliography of books available on that particular subject. It is a reasonable echo of the sentiments of everyone associated with arms collecting to state that an arms library, and knowledge of how to use it, is the collector’s most important asset. If nothing more, the very awareness that such libraries do exist and that such titles are published should prompt further investigation.
LIMITATIONS
It would be quite impossible for a work of this wide scope to cover every conceivable variation and discuss every nuance of collecting; many of which significantly affect value. Neither can there be an infallible guide; no market in the world stands still and thus values cannot remain constant. By arming the reader with as many basic facts as space would allow, plus the details of the important published works in each field (so that all available tools to perform further research and investigation would be at his fingertips), the reader—with a bit of study, some forethought, some reading between the lines and, of course, a bit of luck- can assess the facts and the significant bits of minutiae which must be taken into account in arriving at values. The more unusual or special the weapon, the more thought, research and overall effort is required to arrive at an evaluation.
COVERAGE
For the most part the selection of American firearms in this work is those made prior to the turn of the century--1900. Some other semi-modern and modern pieces are included which, by general acceptance, are considered as “collectors” items. These latter pieces certainly could not be accurately called “antique” under the most severe definition of the word, but then again, that word as it is applicable to collecting is one that very often defies an exacting description. For the sake of the argumentation, a few definitions are presented from which the reader may make his own choice: From Webster’s New World Dictionary “...ancient, old, of ancient times, out of date, antiquated, of or in the style of a former period, anything from ancient times, relic, made in a former period.” A few substitute or synonymous words for “antique” from Roget’s International Thesaurus are “...ancient, of yore, time honored, venerable, hoary, second hand, aged, archaic, of other times, out of date, old fashioned, oldfangled, obsolete etc.” So, just where “antique” leaves off and a semi-modern piece begins is really a moot point. Some say it is with the muzzle-loading or percussion era, but that’s not fair definition at all, for the early metallic cartridge arms cannot by any stretch of the imagination be considered “semi-modern.” Choosing to avoid the pitfall of attempting to categorize “antique” American arms, attention is directed to listing and pricing all those generally considered as “collectible.” The omission of certain modern arms no longer manufactured and which bring premium prices as collectors’ items should not in any manner indicate that such pieces are not collectible. It merely reflects the feeling of the author that those guns are more often found in a “modern” collection and values more often seen in “modern” gun trading value guides and therefore beyond the scope of this volume.
ARRANGEMENT
Considerable thought was given to the arrangements of chapters and material within this book. Whenever and wherever possible, grouping has been alphabetical by the manufacturer’s name, such as with the more well known, longer-active and prolific makers. For the most part their production has been itemized chronologically; in those few instances varying from this pattern the reasons are explained in the accompanying text.
All remaining arms are listed by major collecting type, e.g., American military handguns, American percussion pistols, American metallic cartridge pistols, etc. In some categories listings have been arbitrarily determined; as evidenced with primary and secondary martial handguns and longarms. A conscientious effort was made to list specimens under their most suitable categories; in some difficult cases the arbitrary choice was based on personal experience in dealing with those exact guns over many years.
Cross-indexing has been extensively used to assist the reader in quick identification or classification. The primary listing of a gun was determined by where it was felt the reader was most likely to first seek information; the cross-indexing allowed him to know that the gun might rightfully belong in another collecting group as well. This is especially true of items in the martial arms field which might be collected either for their military association or as the product of a specific manufacturer. The mere listing of an arm as a cross-indexed piece does not necessarily indicate or influence its importance in that particular collecting field.
Photographs of every major type or style of gun described are used; an important aid to identification. It was found both impossible as well as impractical to illustrate all pieces on an exact relative scale. Thus, not a few illustrations will be found disproportionate in size.
Guns are listed by their original factory terminology whereever possible and/or their traditional or collector designated “proper names.” The sub-listings including alternative designations or popular “nicknames” (if any) preceded by the abbreviation “a.k.a.” which merely means “...also known as...”
THE NUMBER SYSTEM AND HOW TO USE IT
The major innovation introduced in the Second Edition was a standardized numbering system for antique American guns. That was the first time such a reference mechanism was employed. It has since proven itself an asset to the hobby and continues to be employed in ever-widening usage, lending standardization afforded to but few other major collecting areas.
Numbers have been assigned to each gun and variation thereof listed in this book The system has been designed so that all firearms are simply and quickly located.
The first two digits (or single digit and alphabet letter) indicate the chapter and section in the book in which a particular weapon is found. The last three digits indicate the numerical order within that particular chapter in which the gun is listed, described and priced. Thus, Item 5B-025 indicates a gun found in Chapter V, section “B”, Item 025 which is the Military Issue Colt Second Model Dragoon. Second example: 14-038 indicates a firearm listed in Chapter XIV, Item 038 which is a Peabody-Martini Creedmoor Mid-Range Rifle.
In instances where the collector has a gun not found listed in the book or a variant of one illustrated and described, simply use the reference “...similar to Number” and note the differences.
A TWO-EDGED SWORD
I am well aware that writing about, as well as establishing values for, an entire field of collecting may be likened to treading on thin ice. As has been the case with other books preceding this (in every field of collecting - guns included), the authors are damned for setting prices that are too low, being accused of doing so in order to buy such objects cheaply and hence make a killing for themselves; while on the opposite hand, they are damned for making the prices too high so they might sell their own items and hence, also make a killing! Writing price-guides is very much a two-edged sword. In either event, it is never possible to satisfy everybody and with the subjective nature of prices (especially antiques) and prices varying from section to section (as discussed later), it is quite possible—as a matter of fact it’s assured—that not all parties are going to see eye-to-eye on values. All too often prices are based on grand expectations rather than first-hand knowledge. With all candor, the reader is assured that I have no personal agenda to advance... or nest to feather...and, that a conscientious effort was made to reflect current retail value, in an open marketplace, for the listed antique arms in the various states of condition indicated.
READER TAKE NOTE!
Quite likely the major misuse of a book such as this is the failure to read the “fine print.” It has been the my experience, based on many years of observing human nature, that a great majority of those seeking an evaluation (and that includes advanced collectors, too) are guilty of seeing only what they want to see. They either don’t (or won’t)