Firearm Collecting
Firearm collecting is a captivating hobby that merges the appreciation for craftsmanship, historical significance, and the allure of weaponry with rich stories behind each piece. This pursuit often begins with personal connections, such as family heirlooms, which can ignite a passion for specific historical periods or conflicts. Collectors can explore a diverse range of firearms, from antique muskets to unique curiosa, which encompasses unusual designs and mechanisms, enhancing the collecting experience.
The hobby gained popularity after World War II, evolving from a focus primarily on hunting and military artifacts to include a broader spectrum of firearms and related accessories. While many collectors value the beauty and historical context of their pieces, there is also a potential for financial profit, especially with rare items. However, collectors must be cautious of factors that can diminish a firearm's value, such as restoration or forgeries, making expertise and careful evaluation essential. Overall, firearm collecting offers enthusiasts a fulfilling way to connect with history while navigating the complexities of preservation and authenticity.
Firearm Collecting
History
Firearm collecting is a fascinating pursuit that combines the appreciation of fine craftsmanship and beauty, historical significance and preservation, and the inescapable intrigue of the original intended use of collectible weapons. Every firearm has a story to tell, and many were used in battles and frontier struggles filled with danger and adventure. The collector has the opportunity to own a piece of history that may be entirely unique, since all firearms were individually handmade until 1825.
An interest in firearm collecting is often inspired by personal family history. A family heirloom musket hanging above the mantle may kindle an interest in Revolutionary War weapons. A Civil War rifle or pistol may spark an interest in collecting in the descendent of a soldier from that time period. For many, antique firearms evoke the spirit of the times and the people who used them, whether those people were ancestors or not. Whatever the original inspiration, a collector with an interest in firearms has a wide variety of time periods, countries of origin, and types of firearm to choose from and be inspired by.
Since the invention of gunpowder and firearms in the thirteenth century, there have been gun enthusiasts. However, the organized hobby of gun collecting has only been in existence as we know it since about the 1940s. Gun collecting in the United States increased dramatically in popularity after World War II. Gun collecting began as an extension of hunting and soldiering, though collecting may also satisfy an interest in history. Collecting appeals to those who enjoy specialization and exploration, enabling them to learn more and more about the particular era or type of gun that they find the most interesting and aesthetically pleasing.
Things to Look For
Collectible firearms that have been extensively restored should generally be avoided, as their value may be compromised. Other blemishes and conditions that reduce desirability and value may include mismatched serial numbers, pitting, and replaced gunstocks or grips.
Another thing to watch out for in the world of firearm collecting is the deliberate fake. Like forgeries in the world of art, fakes are created by unscrupulous people in an attempt to deceive collectors. Unlike forged artworks, however, a faked firearm can be harder to spot, as they are usually not created completely from scratch, but are instead made by modifying and changing an already existing, authentic item to give it the appearance of a more valuable collectible. Faked manufacturer's marks or stamps, added engraving, inlay, gilding, or etching, and even signatures may be added to less valuable firearms to create fakes. If a rare collectible is ever offered at an unusually low price, or if the seller seems eager to sell quickly, a novice should seek the advice of a knowledgeable expert before purchasing.
Trends
In the 1950s, most collectors of American firearms concentrated on collecting examples made by Colt and Winchester. Collectors have since branched out into a wider variety of firearms, as well as related accessories and objects such as powder flasks, bullet pouches, and bullet molds.
Collecting firearms "curiosa" is another option collectors can explore. The term describes firearms of significance because of their unusualness, whether because of size, firing mechanism, decoration, or multiple intended uses. Some interesting firearm curiosa include "pepperbox" pistols, tiny enough to be concealed in the closed hand and fired with the pinky finger, and some deceptively ingenious weapons that masquerade as walking sticks, canes, batons, keys, or even harmonicas.
Firearm Collecting for Fun vs. Profit
Profits in excess of $1,000 from the sale of antique and collectible firearms are common. A lot of buying and selling of antique and collectible firearms and their accessories takes place at gun shows and auctions, but the typical collector only sells when a superior example of a piece he or she already owns comes into his or her possession, allowing the collection to improve with the replacement of the less valuable example. The potential for financial gain is a bonus, but collectors are usually motivated by the love of collecting and an appreciation of the beauty, craftsmanship, and historical significance of collectible guns.
Learning More
Books
Bailey, Dewitt, Geoffrey Boothroyd, Ian Hogg, and Frederick Wilkinson. Guns & Gun Collecting. New York: Crescent Books, 1972.
Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values. 9th ed. Krause Publications, 2007.
Kelvin, Dr. Martin. Collecting Antique Firearms. London: Stanley Paul & Co., Ltd., 1987.
Miller, Martin. The Collector's Illustrated Guide to Firearms. New York: Mayflower Books, Inc., 1978.
Organizations
National Firearms Museum <www.nationalfirearmsmuseum.org>
National Rifle Association <www.nra.org>