Collecting Old(er) Firearms

[FPrice]

Like many other members of THR I enjoy collecting older firearms. In my case I prefer old S&W revolvers, old Colt autos, and American military firearms (especially U S Property marked).

What I am particularly curious about is how others choose which examples of their individual preference groups they buy and which they pass on.

Do you tend to take anything that comes along or do you have a threshold of condition and/or other factors which you measure a possible purchase against? How do you decide which one to add to your collection?

Right now I am considering several 1930-40 era S&W revolvers. Both are in probably average shape for their age. One seems a little loose mechanically whicle the other still appears to be tight. One factor I use in determining what to get is that I usually will NOT buy a firearm which is not safe to shoot. If I can't shoot it at least occassionally I don't want it.

So what factors do the other collectors of THR use to make your firearms acquisition decisions?

 

[Frenchy]

It's pretty much an individual thing, but my interests fall in the post-war/pre-numbered era of Smith & Wesson revolvers.
I'm a shooter, so that pristine "Safe Queen" isn't of much use to me. I do seek guns in the 90+% however.
Here's a couple of examples...

 

[Leatherneck]

My gig is *currently* Allied and German milsurp of WW II era, especially my birth year. I've started low, buying what I can find that's affordable, intending to slowly "trade up." i.e., sell and add a little money and buy better. My reason for starting with the WW II guns is that they seem to be getting scarcer/pricier and I want to buy affordably. The crunch comes when I haven't sold, say, a Luger, and I come across a deal on a better one. Tends to make the collection grow and the bank account shrink But Leatherness, so far, has been very understanding.

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[Hkmp5sd]

For me, it depends on the model, how long I've been looking for it and how bad I really want it. If I've been looking a long time, I'm more inclined to nab the first one I come across. The more common the model, the more picky I get.

 

[jsalcedo]

I learned a lesson a while back.

Don't settle.

Buy the best. If an old gun is in excellent mechanical condition
but looks a little rough maybe.

Without a doubt when you see something great get it but if it is
too worn hold out for a better example.

For example: I was itching to get a nagant revolver but I couldn't find one
for under $275 and those looked kind of crusty.

Now century is selling unissued pristine nagants for $87.

 

[DorGunR]

The oldest gun I have is a Savage model 99 made in 1910 and chambered for .303 Savage........it's in great shape however I don't shoot it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I look for shooters. Some of the best buys are older guns which are not pristine, and which may have been altered, re-blued, and so on.

 

[FPrice]

Frenchy...

"I do seek guns in the 90+% however. Here's a couple of examples..."

Nice looking examples. Are the patches part of your collection also? I am hoping to get some memorabilia which has a connection to some of my older firearms.

 

[Frenchy]

Hey Frosty,

I do have an extensive LE patch collection (my other hobby), that I've acquired over a few years. I've been able to meet a lot of great LEO's worldwide this way.
Collecting memorabilia is part of the fun and adds to the rich history of these fine guns.
I just received a Croatian State Police patch to go with my HS 2000. The detective and I have had a couple of long conversations.

 

[Kingson]

I collect anything that catches my eye right at the moument. There are to many diffrent guns out there right now that I don't have to just collect one or two types of guns. I like any thing that is old or diffrent. Having a C&R lic. helps in the collecting and working at a gun store definitly helps to.

 

[telewinz]

Although I have many exceptions, I seem to prefer military semiauto rifles from the 40's and 50's. The bore MUST be perfect and the rest of the rifle must be restorable to 90% condition or better. I rather have a firearm in excellent condition than one all matching and looking like a POS. With a little (more like alot!) TLC you can turn a wornout firearm into a desirable keeper/looker that will be your pride and joy and an easy sell at the gunshow. Worn out abrused firearms are common and they are only increasing in numbers.

 

[Josey]

I collect. I look for repairable and reblued models. I do have a rough Colt made in 1894. It was in the SAW and made it back to the states. I am planning to rebuild, reblue and keep her. This pistol was used to bust coffee beans for making coffee. The pistol has history. I do buy S&Ws from WWII also. I have one Canadian Victory model that was made in the US, shipped and proofed in England, shipped to Canada and then issued to the Peel Regional Police. It began as a 5" 38 S&W/38-200. It is now a 3" bored out 38 Special. History. I would buy a rusty relic with a GOOD story! LOL

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I treat the guns I buy like I approached the ladies when I was twenty.

If I walk in and something catches my eye and everything looks and feels right and I have money in my wallet....viola!

BTW, I refer to all my guns as 'her' and my wife just shakes her head, lol.