Collecting antique arms - Any old iron?
- Last updated: 07/08/2024
I was first introduced to the world of antique firearms, particularly those manufactured by Colt, by the late Brian Bailey, around 35 years ago. An avid fan of old Colt revolvers, his passion and enthusiasm for anything and everything that bore the Colt name was infectious, although at the time I considered the prices of these ‘old guns’ rather high compared to the modern handguns I could buy to shoot. My first visit to an arms fair really opened my eyes to how expensive this hobby could be if you were even half serious about it. A gift from Brian of a book devoted to Colt (Serven’s Colt Firearms) was the catalyst that I needed to take me down a path that has given me countless hours of pleasure, not to mention a little financial reward, in the ensuing years.
Where to start
It did not take long to realise that there were very few retail outlets where you could go and view a selection of antique arms. Henry Krank of Pudsey is an exception. Therefore, if you wanted to have a ‘hands-on’ approach, it meant travelling to an arms fair. Not that it was difficult to find one within a reasonable distance. In fact, a quick check through the diary dates in this magazine will show fairs around the country most weekends. You will generally find that dealers stick to the same fairs and depending on how business is, you could see much the same merchandise over three or four fairs at any venue. If you are willing to travel, you will surely find a larger selection as you encounter different traders in other areas of the country. Wherever you live, a visit to the Birmingham arms fair is well worth the time and effort for the variety of arms and accoutrements on sale there.
Nowadays, the internet will throw up dealers’ websites, with any type of antique arms that you could wish for. While there is still no real substitute for handling the items, modern photography can give you a very good idea of what you are looking at, and many dealers will offer a three-day inspection option with a refund of your money (less postage cost) if you return the item in the condition that you received it. If this offer is not forthcoming, then it is probably better to walk away, no matter how tempting the item may be. Mistakes can be very hard to sell on.
If you’re fortunate enough, as I was, to find a mentor who can guide you in the right direction, you might not make too many mistakes as you navigate through the maze that confronts you as a beginner. The mistakes will surely come later as you branch out and make your own decisions. Trust me, I know this is true!
Random or thematic?
One of your first decisions may be whether you are going to just collect random items as and when you find something you like or to follow a particular theme, as I did at first with Colt handguns. I quickly learned that Colt products, given similar specifications and condition, are generally more expensive than their counterparts. The upside of this, of course, is that when you come to sell them, and it is probable that you will sell as you change direction or to improve a specimen, your reward will be correspondingly higher.
You will likely be able to build up a random collection fairly quickly (depending on your wallet), as you have the whole spectrum of items to choose from. Most antique arms dealers will carry a broad selection of guns, blades, and accessories, so if you are putting together a mixed bag of items, it will be a rare occasion when you visit an arms fair and cannot find something to buy. Prices can vary from a few pounds for accessories or space fillers to several thousand pounds for that extra special piece.
The specialist collector will obviously have less to choose from and it can sometimes be frustrating to visit several fairs and not find anything that fits your requirements. You just need to be patient, as what you want is out there and you will eventually find it. One of the drawbacks of sticking to a specific theme is that while you are only searching for certain items, you might miss out on a great deal. Even if the item is not something you want for your collection, it could be used later on as a trade for something you do want.
After visiting a few fairs, talking to dealers and other collectors (they are generally a friendly bunch), and handling the merchandise, you will quickly build up your knowledge of what to look for and what to avoid.
Regarding etiquette at an arms fair, it’s always best to ask before you pick up a piece and before you cock a gun. If you are uncertain about how a particular weapon operates, ask the vendor to demonstrate, rather than risking a costly mistake. More than once, I have seen the sign “If you break it, you’ve bought it”. Once you have finished examining an item, place it back where you found it and say, “Thank you”. Treat everything you handle as you would your own collection and you will not go far wrong. Experience from both sides of an arms fair table tells me that observing these niceties ensures a better rapport between vendor and customer.
Forewarned is forearmed
While handling examples of antiques is obviously a great way to learn about them, a little knowledge beforehand is extremely beneficial, particularly if you decide to specialise. Also, investing in some good books will prove a wise move. I do not mean the coffee table books with lots of photographs and little text, but well-researched volumes. These provide the depth of information needed to help you decide on what could be an expensive acquisition. You may think that £50 or £60 (sometimes more) for a book is a lot to pay, but if it saves you from making a costly mistake, it will have paid for itself many times over. Pick up any old copies of magazines like Gun Report or Man at Arms, as they often have interesting articles along with hints and tips. If your interest includes antique American firearms, try to get hold of a copy of the now-defunct Flayderman’s Guide. I think the 9th edition was the final issue. Prices are in US dollars and will be well out of date anyway, but there is a wealth of information on the subject of early American guns. Visit www.abebooks.co.uk for a great selection of firearms and blade-related books.
Condition is king
Sooner or later during your collecting journey, you will hear the question - “What’s it worth?”. The simple answer is that it’s worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. For any given specimen, there will be a diversity of answers depending on who you ask. Your value of a given item may be worth more, or less, than what I would put on it and we could both be in a different price range to someone else. Your budget will determine what you are willing to pay, so it’s best to try and stick close to it. Try not to get carried away and regret it later.
There are basically two criteria which determine the value of antique arms - rarity and condition. In the case of well-documented cases such as Colt, rarity is easy to determine as production figures for the various models are readily available, while some other makes and models will be subject to speculation and guesswork. Confederate handguns from the American Civil War are a prime example of the latter. A label on such a pistol might say “Possibly Confederate”, which could also mean “Possibly Not”. Condition is much easier to determine, as a mint example stands out against a beat-up model. But should that beat-up model turn out to be a genuine Confederate revolver, then the condition is probably less important than rarity.
Caveat emptor
Although they are not too common, there are fakes and ‘alterations’ out there. Examples of these will generally, but not always, be found in the more expensive categories. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. I have seen examples of pistols that could deceive a novice but would be instantly recognized by a more knowledgeable collector. This is where your books pay for themselves, and your guru is invaluable. The vast majority of what you will come across is genuine, so don’t let this put you off, just be aware of the possibility of a ‘wrong one’ popping up now and again.
Finally, check the advertisements in this magazine to get a flavour of what is available, and don’t forget to mention that you saw their advert in Gun Mart if you contact them!