I teach an open forum type class. The basic or introduction course is on beginning collection. A discussion on personal likes or types of firearms and periods of history without getting into specific individual guns. How to go about getting started without getting burnt.My go to is a modern tactical style bolt action hands down. Long range shooting is my current passion.
I like all types of rifles and history but they just don't grab me like a bolt gun.
I would like to know more about your firearms collecting courses though. Is this a history class or a course to teach people to collect? I know they are tied together but what is the main goal?
That sounds like a very interesting and educational class.I teach an open forum type class. The basic or introduction course is on beginning collection. A discussion on personal likes or types of firearms and periods of history without getting into specific individual guns. How to go about getting started without getting burnt.
Then to the firearms of particular periods or historic events and their applications. Manufacturers their history and development. Colt, Remington, Winchester... etc.
On to hand guns of those types with details of what to look for.
The class or discussion on fakes versus reproductions and how to recognize what IS and what IS NOT.
Military arms (US) muskets versus rifles / carbines and their places in time.
Then it it gets in depth with actual pieces and their assembly and care ( like 1873 Trapdoor Springfield) and so on.
I usually provide examples from my collections for students to handle and get the feel for the addiction as it were.
Here is a quick peek looking through the door to my sanctuary ..... John View attachment 160706 View attachment 160707 View attachment 160708
"Favorite" is very different from best or most useful or any other criteria. It calls to the heart and nowhere else.
My favorite is the Remington Nylon 66 in Apache Black that I inherited from my mother.
Thanks, Buddy!Great looking display setup.
Thanks for sharing.
Some advice from this old ex-Family Doc: Anyone who has a significant collection should have it well catalogued, including multiple photos of each piece, NRA condition scoring, individual piece histories if available, appraisals, etc. That way, when one dies, surviving Family members would have a much easier time deciding how to dispose of it. It would be very helpful if one would also leave names & contact info on potential buyers or trusted brokers. No one could do this better than the actual collector. One collector had an affinity for a certain type & brand of rifle, a few of which were still intermittently being produced. When he died, the Widow had no idea how to handle the collection. I have seen very expensive pieces sold to "predators" for absurdly low prices. leVieux
Absolutely! I whole heatedly agree! Working for museums I learned alot about cataloging records and acquisitions. Every piece that I own is photographed in high resolution with papers and provenance if available. Serial numbers or specific details are also documented. All of my information is filed annually with my insurance company. I have those pieces that I wish to go to particular individuals or museums documented in my Revocable Trust and Will by line item and description. I have a dealer/broker identified also to handle the disposition of everything my wife does not wish to keep. Which can be handled with a single phone call when I move on. Do not forget to have a really decent security system... it is money well spent. Safes are fine but don't rely only on a secure cabinet! Talk to a security professional! Atay away from the cheap companies on the idiot box. Talk to professionals in banking, jewelry, furriers and pharmaceutical storage.Some advice from this old ex-Family Doc: Anyone who has a significant collection should have it well catalogued, including multiple photos of each piece, NRA condition scoring, individual piece histories if available, appraisals, etc. That way, when one dies, surviving Family members would have a much easier time deciding how to dispose of it. It would be very helpful if one would also leave names & contact info on potential buyers or trusted brokers. No one could do this better than the actual collector. One collector had an affinity for a certain type & brand of rifle, a few of which were still intermittently being produced. When he died, the Widow had no idea how to handle the collection. I have seen very expensive pieces sold to "predators" for absurdly low prices. leVieux
An example... recently I was assigned by a museum colleague to advise a family about some guns they didn't really know what to do with. The knew they had some really interesting pieces that had been in storage since 1935. I went to their home to advise then ans nearly had a religious experience on the spot. I helped them sell the minor items in a day or so for just over 80K. They were thrilled! Their original intention was to call a local dealer and get what they could. The obvious problem was the remaining eight guns. The family could not afford to donate them to a museum. Museums generally do not have much money and rely on donations and grants from the respective state historical budget. Those remaining eight pieces I conservatively appraised at nearly one million dollars give or take 100K or so. I do not know the finalization of this collection yet but it will take some time and careful cataloging. They are in contact with Julia, Rock Island Auctions and Butterfield's.Absolutely! I whole heatedly agree! Working for museums I learned alot about cataloging records and acquisitions. Every piece that I own is photographed in high resolution with papers and provenance if available. Serial numbers or specific details are also documented. All of my information is filed annually with my insurance company. I have those pieces that I wish to go to particular individuals or museums documented in my Revocable Trust and Will by line item and description. I have a dealer/broker identified also to handle the disposition of everything my wife does not wish to keep. Which can be handled with a single phone call when I move on. Do not forget to have a really decent security system... it is money well spent. Safes are fine but don't rely only on a secure cabinet! Talk to a security professional! Atay away from the cheap companies on the idiot box. Talk to professionals in banking, jewelry, furriers and pharmaceutical storage.
When those items are published in the auction catalog(s), I'm sure we'd all appreciate you sharing a link.They are in contact with...
That is up to the executor of the estate to let me know the whys and wherefores of the pieces. I recommended that they NOT try to sell them at any one offering. It would be worth their while to sell one at a time per year or so. Considering the rarity and historic significance would dent the market ion the downside. I was just fortunate to be able to purchase the one piece of the lot. It is my baby now... NOT FOR SALE... I would never be able to find another one. It is the culmination of my Springfield Cavalry Carbine collection. First Model 1873 carbines are tough to find in any condition. An unaltered First Model that is not been reworked or altered from it's issue design with complete cartouches, incredible shiny bore with only two small age pits that can only be seen with a bore-scope, is a true rarity. The kicker is that the serial umber on it is right in the middle of the serial number group issued to Lt. Colonel G. A. Custer's command in 1875 from Rock Island Arsenal as mentioned in his personal records. Just what trooper had it is anyone's guess. No records.That's great work.When those items are published in the auction catalog(s), I'm sure we'd all appreciate you sharing a link.
I'm sure we'd love to see them. In case you haven't figured it out yet, the crowd around here loves pictures. I can't imagine why anyone in another forum ever gave you any grief for sharing.Pictures maybe?
What he saidI'm sure we'd love to see them. In case you haven't figured it out yet, the crowd around here loves pictures. I can't imagine why anyone in another forum ever gave you any grief for sharing.
So, pictures? Yeah, buddy!
...deserves the centerfold photo spread treatment in Man At Arms for the Gun and Sword Collector. I assume you've had some dealings with Stuart? You might drop him a note making the suggestion.An unaltered First Model...
As long as the prices are low enough for me to buy one.I was told there would be pictures.
Seriously NO ONE here will give you grief for posting photos of antique and historic firearms.
Yes... I have been called out as a fraud, liar and false postings. I was a member of another well known forum and all was well until I decided to share experience and a few photos. Then the crap hit the fan. I was accused of cutting and pasting pictures from other places because "no one has a collection and claims of what I was saying" the managing senior members had me banned forever. Never was I personally asked for credentials or references. It is okay as I don't need that kind of attitudes because they do NOT know me. I reported their "banning" to a few museum colleagues, business associates, The American Gunsmithing Association, The American Gunsmithing Institute, and a few other collector's societies I belong to. I share no ill will just be careful of what you say and do because assholes are lurking. I do not need to prove anything to anyone. If you have particular questions... please... contact me by personal message and I WILL provide legal clarification.I'm sure we'd love to see them. In case you haven't figured it out yet, the crowd around here loves pictures. I can't imagine why anyone in another forum ever gave you any grief for sharing.
So, pictures? Yeah, buddy!