Curating a Lifestyle: On the Hunt

Few other collecting categories have seen such a consistently bullish market as firearms, with buyers today apparently willing to go to any length to win prized examples at auction.  Some speculate that the current market is heavily influenced by the political landscape or a powerful NRA (National Rifle Association), but the rise in collectibility and value of antique firearms would be difficult to link to either of these factors exclusively.  Undoubtedly there is a crossover audience among buyers of modern, functional firearms who may make decisions based on political concerns and the buyers of early, historic examples who are feeding a passionate hobby.  The distinction that could be made is that collectors of antique arms tend to set their sights on historic context, rarity, quality of manufacture and a beautiful design (incidentally, many of the same factors that influence collectors who purse antique furniture, art and decorative accessories!).

The history of firearms dates back to primitive, hand-held cannon devices in the eastern world; but, for the purposes of discussing the collecting market, we tend to focus on 18th and 19th Century arms from America and Europe.  Until the Industrial Revolution, the production of firearms was dependent upon cottage industry (albeit some larger than others) of regional gunsmiths who tailored offerings to their audience.  Rifles were produced for the long-range accuracy needs of military engagement; the shotgun (and it’s predecessor, the blunderbuss) were generally reserved for sporting and hunting (or, short-range protection).  Once large-scale manufacturers entered the scene in the mid-19th Century, the arms race was on.  Arguably, no other individuals have had more influence on the firearms industry in the past 200 years than these trailblazers:  Samuel Colt, Horace Smith, Daniel Wesson, Oliver Winchester and John Browning.  The eponymous companies created by these men have become virtual powerhouses that continue to dominate the field today, and whose 19th Century firearms are the epitome of a seasoned collector’s focus.  

As fall approaches, and the traditions of hunting and gathering in advance of an annual Thanksgiving feast come to mind, head out on your own hunting adventure for a beautiful and rugged piece of history to adorn the mantle.  With a bit of study, you may be surprised by the options available in this broad category for everyone from a novice collector to the firearms aficionado.

The Winchester Repeating Arms Company earned its place in firearms history when their rugged, early repeat-fire rifles became known as “The gun that won the West.”  This “Yellow Boy” Model 1866 is aptly named due to the unusual use of a bronze alloy for the receiver.  Sold, Garth’s, $7,638.

Much like antique furniture, the value of antique firearms can be affected by highly figured wood, solid manufacturing techniques and overall design aesthetic.  This special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 sold with a letter from the factory in which it was made.  Sold, Garth’s, $5,288.

 On the verge of bankruptcy due to cotton gin litigation, Eli Whitney applied his concept of interchangeable parts to the manufacture of muskets in the mid 1790’s.  After his death, Eli Whitney, Jr. continued to operate the Whitney Arms Company until 1888 when the company was sold to arms behemoth, Winchester.  The Whitney-Kennedy lever action rifle (manufactured 1879 - 1886) was considered to be one of the most well made of its time.  Sold, Garth’s, $4,465.

While a sure-fire option (pun intended) for close-range targets, the blunderbuss (Dutch for “thunder pipe”) lacked accuracy beyond about 15-20 yards due to the spray of the ammunition exiting the flared muzzle, and became obsolete by the 19th Century.  This English example dates to the late 18th / early 19th Century.  Sold, Garth’s, $3,525.

Sporting guns such as the over-under shotgun, remain in production today and are sought by gun enthusiasts who use them.  Inlaid with a silver deer, this example was produced in the 19th Century by Altoona, Pennsylvania gunsmith J.M. Watson.  Sold, Garth’s, $572.

 This percussion rifle, made by George Claspill, a Fairfield County, Ohio gunsmith in the second quarter of the 19th century, is a terrific example of quality craftsmanship.  The silver inlaid decoration (including the patriotic eagle) certainly ensured generations of preservation.  Sold, Garth’s, $2,703.

 Generally speaking, firearms that predate 1898 are considered to be “antique” and exempt from the Gun Control Act of 1968 under the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (commonly known as the ATF).  What does this mean for you?  It means that the purchase, sale or transport of antique guns can be conducted by individuals and companies without a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and without a background check and other ATF transfer paperwork and procedures.  However, there are some exceptions to this rule, particularly when a gun has been modified to accept modern ammunition, or in the case of some muzzle loaders that were manufactured in a way that will accept modern ammunition.  As with any other collecting category, we always recommend purchasing antique firearms from a reputable and knowledgeable resource.