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Introduction

STAYING THE COURSE

This 9th edition marks the anniversary of 30 years in-print for this Guide! The continuous enthusiastic manner in which the preceding eight editions were accepted by my fellow collectors and dealers in this ever-fascinating hobby has been highly gratifying. The realization that all those many years sped by so swiftly cannot help but elicit a few personal remarks (with the reader’s indulgence) for the excitement and pleasure afforded me by the provocative challenge of assembling, composing and editing these nine editions. Surveying the bustling, often changeable pace of the marketplace has proven a continual cause for attention. Along with that lively action, keeping an eye on the unceasing flow of newly published works, with its added bounty of freshly revealed data for this hobby, have managed to keep me on my toes and not allow for many dull moments. The mere quantity of that literature, embracing everything from major studies of firearms not previously examined to the minutiae of manufacturing details and variances (often the very essence of collecting), is amply affirmed by the bibliographies throughout this Guide.

The practice established with all prior editions of adding new information brought to my attention and reporting ever-changing collecting trends, has continued to make these Guides credible and useful tools for the collector. As originally anticipated when preparing the first edition of this Guide over three decades earlier (and since), it was inevitable there would be gaps in data or omissions for some models cataloged here, while numerous variants were certain to be lacking for many other entries. It was also recognized then, that with gradual maturing of the hobby, the future years held many changes in store for previously unrecognized American firearms to qualify as antique and gain admission to the ranks of the long-established, venerable arms collectibles. For many American firearms, that time decidedly arrived during the intervening years. They are noted by the inclusion of numerous previously overlooked and unstudied makes, models and variations. Chapter VIII (Cartridge Handguns) bears particularly valid witness to that observation. It is just such information that is proven worthy for addition to this 9th Edition and portends the future for other specialty fields of arms collecting.

An increasingly visible trend noticeable over the years, and one which may be reasonably accepted as an accurate barometer, has been the ever-increasing emphasis focused upon detail and manufacturing minutiae which continues to dominate numerous areas of collecting; especially the series of firearms made by major manufacturers such as Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, etc. Recent decades have also seen greater, justly deserved, significance accorded to antique firearms directly associated with many historic eras and outstanding events of America’s past as well as firearms identifiable to individuals that owned and carried them. Commensurate with that heightened appreciation has been a noteworthy advance in comparative values, not a few reflecting unprecedented gains based on great historical import.

IMPARTING NEW INFORMATION; INCURSIONS ON VIRGIN TERRITORIES

This updated 9th Edition is the largest and most extensive yet undertaken with over 1,200 revisions, modifications and an unprecedented wealth of significant new data and illustrations. Making use of every bit of available space in the 8th Edition for that profusion of fresh material, it was still necessary to increase the length of this work in excess of twenty percent. That detailed, practical information along with numerous entries never previously included are to be found throughout every chapter of this Guide, accompanied with a reevaluation of over four thousand individual firearms. Once again, Chapter VIII American Metallic Cartridge Handguns continues among those sections reflecting an especially notable increase of information to include salient detail about handguns never previously catalogued and others that are finally placed in a proper perspective (such as the innocuous little revolvers known as “Saturday Night Specials” and the un-American named “British Bulldog” which has assumed a startling role in American arms collecting). Among other chapters noteworthy for the large numbers of new entries and additional factual data are those classifying the firearms of Ethan Allen (V-A); Colt Firearms (V-B); Remington Firearms (V-E); Smith & Wesson (V-G); all the subsections and categories of percussion handguns of Chapter VII; American Military Longarms (IX); and the numerous sections of Chapter XVIII Miscellanea (revealing reliable information on the once-questionable air rifle carried by Meriwether Lewis on the historic Lewis and Clark 1803 Exploring Expedition). Just about all bases have been covered.

As for those “INCURSIONS ON VIRGIN TERRITORIES” inferred in the caption above: I must admit to yielding to a personal fixation for challenging the subjects of Dueling in America and Dueling Pistols (Chapter VII-F). It appeared the time was right and long overdue to inject a note of skepticism and disbelief at the manner in which both subjects have been accepted carte blanche by collectors, historians and the public at large. Having examined the subject at reasonable depth for my recent study of the folklore, legend and myth of the Bowie knife (to refute a misconception that some American duels were actually fought with those knives), I became acutely aware that the entire subject was one fraught with misconceptions, distortions and outright fallacies. It was invariably treated in an utterly simplistic manner. Many of those same misrenderings of dueling practices were transposed directly to “Dueling Pistols.” At first glance a simple, unassuming explanation was envisioned. However, with ever-increasing curiosity, as the topic was examined that doubtfulness heightened accordingly. Ostensibly there has been a general acceptance, across-the-board (lock, stock and barrel) of just about everything ever printed about those subjects for the past two centuries. It appears that no discernible voices were ever raised in disapproval or objection to even the most blatant distortions and delusions. I harbor the hope that my disputation and polemics might inject a note of rationality and logic into both subjects of “dueling” and “dueling pistols.” Optimistically the gauntlet, thus thrown down, will not be found unmerited or irrelevant, but rather, will serve as a spark to motivate an enterprising historian, student or collector to accept that challenge to investigate the subjects at greater depth. They are deeply embedded in arms tradition as well as American folklore and deserve better treatment and judicious attention!

A persistently overlooked subject also due the attention of collectors is the relevance of early catalogs of firearms manufacturers and the merchants who sold those same guns. Others equally pertinent, are long outdated auction and other sales catalogs of notable American gun collections, many of which played historic, as well as informative roles in the story of antique American arms collecting. Quite a few of them continue to serve as important references to the present-day. Their significance has not been merely underrated, but entirely disregarded. A few are particularly worthy of veneration and are discussed in Chapter I (Collecting Firearms). Equally relevant have been the numerous periodicals devoted to antique firearms that have come and gone over the length of the 20^th century. A résumé of their somewhat checkered past (also Chapter I) demonstrates the deserved critical recognition and proud status since achieved by this collecting field.

THE PULSE OF COLLECTING REMAINS STRONG, THE CLIMATE STIMULATING

It has been an exciting 6 years since the issuance of the last edition of this Guide. Much has happened in the antique arms world, generally mirroring the tenor of economic times in America. Reviewing my own comments in the previous 8 editions about the general health and climate of this arms collecting hobby affords the opportunity to get a handle on its stability and endurance, a reasonably accurate barometer to envision its development and anticipate its future. Cutting quickly to the bottom line: values, allure and demand for antique American firearms continues strong and robust just as they have since I first committed myself to print in this Guide over 30 years ago. A cursory reading of the “Introduction” of all those earlier editions amply confirms that conclusion. Collecting antique American firearms, and consequently the values of them, continues its unabated growth. That has proven quite the opposite trend of many other fields of collecting. Values have generally reflected a constant upward course throughout all the various ups-and-downs of the economic cycles of the stock market and the economy. With that track record, there is every reason to believe that this engrossing field of collecting will continue that same stable and healthy upward path, neither distracted by an influx of speculators, nor unbalanced by the excitement of awesome, record-shattering prices recently achieved for a few matchless, superlative rarities. The recent decade has witnessed increasing importance paid to minor manufacturing details and historical associations once thought insignificant. Quite often the respective arms are attended by a commensurate of value rise. Those changing patterns of collecting are often affected by the numbers of new collectors continually entering the field. Their outlook often differs from those old hands whose peripheral vision may have been blurred by years of concentration on a narrow field of specialty; possibly an instance of “not seeing the forest for the trees.” Arms collecting does experience continual evolutionary change; most of it subtle, logical and enduring; occasionally profound and far-reaching. Those same possibilities continue to present themselves with the undertaking of each new research project in every area of this field. Nothing better exemplifies that comment than the recent entry on the collecting scene of the incongruously named “British Bull Dog” (see full story Chapter 8A-061). The disclosure of new factual material, often the minutiae, and for some the very essence of collecting, has been seen to open up new turf for the collector to explore, investigate and go gunning for (the analogy was inescapable).

If logically priced, antique firearms will continue to find a ready, if not eager market; just as they always have over the past half-century. I have written those identical words in all prior editions of this Guide. They continue to reflect my assessment of the present-day antique arms marketplace.

ARRIVING AT VALUES

The values reflected for the antique firearms cataloged in this 9th Edition have been carefully and rationally analyzed and determined on a piece-by-piece basis by my personally conferring with many other dealers and collectors, each of whom are actively involved in this hobby and are cognizant of market conditions in their respective fields of specialty, including my own fifty years of actively buying, selling, trading and dealing in these very same estimable arms. There is no simple formula for arriving at values and value changes nor, would it be justifiable or accurate to simply assign a generalized, overall percentage of increase (or decrease) to all antique firearms or a particular specialized area or make of them. Each specialty of arms collecting is characterized by its own popularity and value trends. In some of those more narrowly focused fields of special interest, it often takes but a newly published research study, or merely a handful of active collectors to initiate an active search for those particular models to realize dramatic value changes. The broad range of values indicated for each of the listed firearms may be accepted as carefully considered, judicious, general guidelines that should be found of practical use in determining retail market values. To borrow phraseology in common usage by appraisers, these value guidelines would serve to ultimately determine “the full and fair market value as would have been paid for the [firearm] by a willing buyer to a willing seller in an open market, with both having knowledge of relevant facts.” To expect that all collectors or traders would approach the estimation of values of antique firearms in the same manner or with the same practiced eye or with the same motives of buying and/or selling would be unrealistic. The highly subjective nature of placing dollar values on antiques of any type, firearms specifically, and the many motivations involved just do not make for unfailing exactness. It is commonly taken for granted that no two antique guns, in any condition less than new or like new, are rarely, if ever, identical; hence, should be evaluated on that individuality.

THE EXCITEMENT OF RECORD PRICES vs. CONVENTIONAL VALUE PATTERNS

Among the many exciting, newsworthy events that happened in the interim since the last edition have been the unprecedented, record-shattering prices, invariably realized at auction, for a wide variety of antique firearms. The startling numbers brought much favorable publicity and acclaim for this provocative field of collecting. Understandably, the media most often reports only those phenomenal prices for a handful of choice rarities, with little or no coverage given the more conventional arms, which comprise, by far, the major part of the collecting marketplace. It is essential for the collector, especially those newly introduced to the hobby, to recognize that such exceptional values (many running into the mid- and high-six figures) do not reflect across-the-board proportionate increases to all antique guns, and that those remarkable values seldom, if ever, reflect upon to weapons of the same make and model in lesser degrees of condition. The excitement created by so many record smashing American gun values was certainly provocative for the collecting community, and remains so to this day. It is of paramount importance to recognize that, almost without exception, such sensational values were established for antique firearms of equally outstanding rarity or condition or historical import. The values are certainly indicative of a new status achieved by the collecting of antique arms. They equally signify the continuing influx of an astute cadre of collectors with a deep understanding and appreciation for the ultimate, top-of-the-line for their respective fields of interest. However, the collector and dealer should not become blind-sided to the reality that those eye-opening, astounding prices were paid at public auction for equally eye-opening, astounding antique firearms. As for all other American arms, i.e. 99.9 percent of them, including the various ranges of grades of those listed and valued in this Guide, values will be seen reflecting more modest changes and increases. These remarks are certainly not intended to diminish the import of such values or the desirability, of the respective arms, but rather, to again call attention to the unique disparity of values for those ultimate specimens and caution the collector to keep in perspective the factors that affect and are responsible for establishing that other 99.9 percent of antique American firearms that are most apt to be encountered in the marketplace.

The values reflected by this 9th Edition confirm that prices have continued a just about an across-the-board rise, just as they had in every edition of this Guide over the past 30 years. Generally, firearms on the lower end of the condition scale reflect modest increases, while those in the upper levels of that same scale are shown to have disproportionately larger percentages of increased value owing to their greater demand in the marketplace.

THE DUAL RANGE OF CONDITIONS UTILIZED TO GRADE (AND VALUE) FIREARMS.

The dual grades of conditions shown for almost every listed firearm cataloged in this Guide represent the average range of condition in which that particular specimen is most apt to be found offered for sale (or available for sale) in the collectors marketplace. Merely using the same average condition grades for all guns of all types and periods would be as inaccurate, as it was unfair. All antique guns, regardless of their era of manufacture are not normally encountered in identical ranges of condition. That is especially evident with flintlock vs. percussion firearms vs. cartridge arms. In each instance the later manufactured weapon (especially those of post-Civil War through turn-of-century eras) is more likely to be found in a generally better range of condition. The dual ranges chosen for inclusion here have been based on my own experience in personally handling these exact types of firearms for over half a century, and in cooperation and concurrence with other professional dealers and collectors with long experience in various fields of specialization. Thus, a great majority of Civil War and earlier firearms are most often to be chanced upon in the dual range of Good and Fine while the majority of later manufacture arms (especially of the metallic cartridge era) will most often be seen listed in dual ranges of Very Good and Excellent. It is essential to recognize that those dual ranges are not hard and fast for all periods of manufacture. For instance: almost all Civil War carbines (Chapter VI-B) are listed in the lower ranges of Good to Fine, while a few specific models, such as the Smith carbine (9B-085); made during that same Civil War era, are most often found in better degrees of condition and hence are listed in the Guide under Very Good and Excellent as are Peabody carbines (9B-081). Other examples of differing ranges of conditions for various guns are especially evident in chapters discussing well-known gunmakers with extended production runs, such as Colt, Smith & Wesson, Remington, etc. Invariably their later cartridge models are encountered in finer average condition range than their earlier percussion models and are thus listed in this Guide.

Valuations for mint (or near mint) condition firearms have been purposefully avoided for almost all listings in this Guide. Essentially, they are not within the range of conditions chosen for inclusion in this Guide i.e. the category most apt to be found for sale in the collectors marketplace. Such optimum specimens are certain to be encountered; their frequency of availability in ever-diminishing numbers and vied for evermore furiously. With the search for such ultimate specimens in mint condition (or rare models in even lesser grades of Fine or Excellent) having reached imposing, often sensational price levels, they have sometimes been the subject of headlines and news stories in the firearms and general antiques press. Those lofty price plateaus have been primarily achieved at public auction (see further discussion Chapter I). There is little doubt that with the ever-rising popularity of almost all fields of collecting, especially of historical Americana and general antiques.and more particularly antique American firearms, that such remarkable values for prime rarities are merited. However, it is essential that collectors (and dealers, too!) retain rationality and do not become distracted by such record-breaking values in the belief (or, more likely, hopes) that those same spectacular prices are transferable pro rata to identical model guns in lesser degrees of condition. Rarely, if ever does that occur. And, it is just at the juncture of irrepressible optimism that expectations overwhelm rational judgment to take precedence in buying or attempting to sell similar models in lesser grades of condition or quality; invariably to be met with disappointment. Those spectacular values established for equally spectacular lone specimens do not a market make. On occasion they cast a pall over segments of the marketplace in anticipation that new life has suddenly been breathed into a specialized area of collecting, all due to the record prices achieved and the publicity devoted to a single, or a mere handful, of rarities. Ultimately, the market settles back and resumes normalcy, sometimes to the disappointment of a few speculators, but to the relief of most others, dependent on who may be selling and who may be buying!

IMPACT OF THE COMPUTER AGE The Internet, Websites, Dot.Coms and Email

Major changes have taken place since the issuance of the previous edition in the manner in which antique arms collecting in America is conducted and the impact of those changes continues to grow. They all came about in a relatively short time; their very first mention in these Guides was only in that last (8th) edition in 2001. Their significant effect has not merely altered the manner in which the commercial aspects of collecting are conducted, but encompasses the dissemination of information and communication between collectors, as well.

It’s difficult not to sit up and take notice how the antiques market has adapted itself to the computer age and vice versa. Less than a decade ago it may have been thought incongruous, if not irreverent, to discuss such unlikely topics as time-honored, historical antiques and cutting-edge electronics in the same breath. How greatly have the tables turned! The computer and the Internet brought with them alternative collecting patterns, many of which have a direct effect on values.

It is reasonable to believe that others are destined for the future as the inexpensive means of world-wide communication continues its unceasing growth. Slowly and grudgingly, it even appears to be ensnaring the geriatric set, the old-timers and seasoned collectors who ultimately realized it was necessary to change gears to stay active in the game (myself included).

Among the more noticeable changes engendered by the computer is its use as a means for auction bidding, augmenting and very often supplanting the telephone. Allowing those same auction houses an instant world-wide audience via the Internet, combined with their issuance of exceptionally well-illustrated catalogs, also eliminated even the necessity to personally attend auctions for many potential bidders. Further evidence of change brought about by the computer has been the virtual disappearance of antique arms dealers’ time-honored, printed mail-order catalogs. They are fast-vanishing from the scene, with but a handful of veterans still carrying the torch. On that score there’s little doubt that the net’s convenience as a means of buying, selling and trading antique arms has grown phenomenally, not merely by dealers, but allowing equal access for individual traders to the same enormous world-wide audience of arms collectors and potential arms collectors. My original observation in the 8th Edition, that the absence of many seasoned collectors [i.e. read: “old-timers”] from the electronic scene was influential in preventing it from reaching its full potential has distinctly given way to progress. It has become ever more apparent that traditional exchange of information via the postal system has yielded, with quickened pace, to email and the Internet. Inevitably, the future holds more useful distractions in store for these same remarkable systems.

The customary caveat and advice, offered to collectors since the early days of this hobby, to be aware of the small faction of fast buck artists, sharpers and con-men that sporadically operate on the periphery of this hobby at gun shows, and by mail order is equally applicable to the internet. The same sharks have rapidly adapted themselves to the computer age, often improving their questionable talents; enough, so to keep the collector on his toes! Firearms laws are also a matter of concern. Prior to free-wheeling and dealing electronically it is important that collectors be aware of laws and legal ramifications that may restrict the sale of various type firearms in state and interstate commerce.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT THE MEANING OF “GOOD” IS! (Or What’s In A Name?)

Semantics play an influential role in pricing; much more so than deserved. It’s very likely a cause for misconception in arriving at values. Considerable belabored thought and discussion was devoted to the innocent, innocuous, rather humdrum phraseology “GOOD” as the term employed to portray condition of an antique firearm. The word is widely seen throughout this “GUIDE”, valuing guns in one of the lowest condition ranges. Subject to varying interpretations, often at odds with one another, the term is universally used in firearms guides as well as those of other hobbies. More or less, a term of convenience, it usually indicates a grade of condition of the lower end of the scale. In its application to antique firearms, it may be both inept and misunderstood. All too often, collectors tend to make no correlation between the word itself and the actual condition it is supposed to describe.

Used in the context of describing antique guns, “GOOD” is merely a euphemism, i.e. a word or expression used in preference to a more direct word that sounds too harsh or disturbing; much like “between jobs” is substituted for “out-of-work”! “GOOD” is an artificiality, an over-nice word, agreeable to the ear to describe what, in antique gun collecting, is a condition that is really quite the opposite of that state! Unfortunately, it’s often taken in its literal sense (“satisfactory in quality; excellent; genuine; sound; free from blemish; relatively fine quality; or at the meat market: a grade below ‘choice; or ‘prime’”; as per the dictionary)…when, what is talked about is really not “good” at all. So, please take note, “GOOD” as it is used in this “GUIDE” indicates antique American guns in the following condition:

“Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or reblued, principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched, bruised, or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.”

In other words, it’s really rather low on the grading scale. Perhaps inappropriate and unsuited for the role, it is the term chosen for the only set of standards that were specifically adopted for antique guns that were established by the National Rifle Association many years ago; see full details and discussion in Chapter II. Thus, if the collector will bear in mind that the euphonious “GOOD” really indicates a fairly well worn specimen, he will be better able to gauge value.

INVESTORS, “INVESTMENT GRADE” GUNS & RECORD PRICES

A steadying influence, likely the underlying reason, for continued health of this hobby (quite the opposite that occurred in many other collecting fields) is the fact that it has never been inundated by “investors” i.e. those who purchase only for the sake of financial gain with no appreciation for the arms themselves. Whether happenstance or not, most earning their livelihood from this hobby, with but few exceptions, never strenuously promoted only its profit potential, combining to make for stability in the American antique firearms market. Hopefully it will never reach the point of self-aggrandizement, as have a few other collecting areas, where those dealing in the material consider themselves an “industry!”.

Composed, mostly, of collectors, with but the smallest group of “investors,” the antique arms market has been protected from the “boom or bust” wild swings of many other collecting fields. The fact that collectors did not desert the market in drastic economic swings has been a steadying influence, preventing any appreciable, price drop. “Investor” as it applies to gun collecting is not a derisive word but it does often imply that one has only a slight idea of the sphere in which they are operating. Those most successful in the long run are not “investors” attempting to forecast the market, but those who take the time to study the hobby to acquire an appreciation of it and buy items they will take pleasure from. It is this latter buyer who will invariably have the greatest gain when disposing of an item or collection. It is essential that the collector learn to discern misleading information disguised as “expert” opinion.

It has been noted that some other collecting markets have sustained well-reported diminishing buyers, prices and interest during various economic downturns. If and when they rebound, the euphemism currently in vogue by investors is “revitalize.” The term has not found its way into this hobby.

CHANGING STANDARDS FOR CONDITION

Condition is, of course, a key factor in determining value. Chapter II discusses the subject at great length. There have been subtle changes over these past years, in the acceptance by collectors of antique arms in condition a grade or two below what was formerly accepted as the norm for various specialities. Although most apparent with Single Shot Rifles, the trend is equally observed with lever action rifles of all types and semiautomatic guns, among many others. In the 1950s through 1970s collectors of those types would only accept mint or near mint pieces with prices drastically falling off for anything below those grades. Commencing with the 1980s through to today, such arms are often prized in considerably lower grades. It was only in the late 1950s that gun collecting became mildly condition-conscious. The search for, and the acceptance of, the ultimate “factory new” or “mint” antique arms began to reach feverish pitch in the 1960s, 70s and early 80s. Although not reversing the trend (those ultimate condition pieces are still equally sought and vied for) there has been a noticeable lessening of goals, indicating the increasing shortage of such “factory new” antique arms. These altered collecting patterns are quite evident with today’s collector and dealer, who may view the field from an entirely different perspective.

GUN SHOWS

There are literally dozens of gun shows throughout the U.S. on any given weekend. As far as antique and collector arms are concerned, there is a decided inverse ratio applicable: The more these shows proliferate, the less the quality and quantity of collectible arms are to be found on display. There are a few consistently fine, and usually exciting, shows throughout the year that have defined parameters for the type of antique and collectors arms allowed for display and sale. Established collector shows will be found a fine introduction to the hobby as long as the new collector tempers his enthusiasm with common sense! By far, the majority of gun shows are relegated to flea market status and the novice, especially, is cautioned that chances of finding the proverbial “sleeper” (i.e. falling into a sewer and coming up with a diamond) are greatly diminished. Very much in evidence at many of those shows are the same tired old guns offered by the same circuit riders at show after show, with the same tired, old, finger-smudged tags affixed.....with the same tired old prices! The tags themselves are the most obvious indication that the guns have been on the market, overpriced, for a long time.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The necessity for an accurate, up-to-date book encompassing all collectible American arms and their current market values was apparent; a one-volume source with simply stated, easily found specifications and corresponding prices. This book has been written to fill that want. It is intended to be of equal value and use to the advanced collector as well as to the neophyte; providing each with the basic material needed to assess values for a very wide range of American antique and collectors’ firearms. The book is not intended as the very last word for collecting each specialized field and the reader is reminded of that throughout; especially where minute variances and nuances play an important role on specific models. The goal has been to arm the reader with all the facts necessary to quickly identify an arm and accurately evaluate it; or to at least determine that the piece is out-of-the-ordinary and possesses distinctive features requiring further research before hastily placing a value, possibly inaccurate, on it.

As the basic intent is to be both value and identification guide, considerable effort has been made to include as many known American made firearms as were manufactured on a production basis. Prototypes, experimental pieces or one-of-a-kind developmental or evolutionary models seldom seen are kept to a minimum. An equal effort has been made to assist the reader in determining prices for many types of American weapons which were individually hand crafted and are strictly one-of-a-kind. The Kentucky rifle is the most obvious example, but there are others as well, including Colonial weapons and many types of muzzle loading sporting rifles and fowling pieces. To attempt to include every American arm ever made would be quite inconceivable. It should therefore be obvious, but worthy of mentioning, that the mere fact a gun does not appear listed in this book, does not necessarily mean it is a priceless rarity. It does decidedly indicate, though, that the particular piece may have interesting potential and is well worth further research for identification.

Comment should be made on the incompleteness and inadequacies of certain other basic primers and guides for gun collecting. Some volumes played highly important roles in development of the hobby and were actually milestones in its evolution. In the light of present-day data and knowledge many of those books have been made obsolete, failing to keep pace with the great many collecting developments of the past five decades. Several major fields of American arms collecting were completely overlooked and in other instances the values reflected failed to keep step with actual market conditions. The lack of an up-to-date guide presented a major challenge. It was felt that such a work should be written in the light of personal knowledge and experience to offer the reader intimate glimpses into the field of collecting, insights not previously dealt with in any other books.

Another prime objective of this book is to make available a quick and easily-used reference to all those fields which have achieved primary and secondary importance in the past decades. Included are arms of specific makers that had never been previously treated as individual entities—but were insignificantly grouped among larger categories.

This work, based on research in published and unpublished sources and on practical day-to-day experience, seeks to correct earlier published inconsistencies and misinformation. Making available data about American arms, in an easily found manner, their significance may be better appreciated by a wider element of collectors and dealers alike; some of whom would not otherwise bother to dig out the facts for themselves. There is every reason to believe that by so doing a much wider interest will be generated in those collecting fields. It was found inappropriate to refer to some available published reference material where certain information had been unsubstantiated; in such cases material presented here about those particular arms includes only descriptions and values of the guns, which in all cases are based on first-hand practical experience.

Lastly, in presenting this work, it is intended to arm the reader with as many facts as possible about a particular field or specialty of collecting in order that he may have the opportunity to dig deeper for himself. To that end each chapter, or sub-group within a chapter, offers a bibliography of books available on that particular subject. It is a reasonable echo of the sentiments of everyone associated with arms collecting to state that an arms library, and knowledge of how to use it, is the collector’s most important asset. If nothing more, the very awareness that such libraries do exist and that such titles are published should prompt further investigation.

LIMITATIONS

It would be quite impossible for a work of this wide scope to cover every conceivable variation and discuss every nuance of collecting; many of which significantly affect value. Neither can there be an infallible guide; no market in the world stands still and thus values cannot remain constant. By arming the reader with as many basic facts as space would allow, plus the details of the important published works in each field (so that all available tools to perform further research and investigation would be at his fingertips), the reader—with a bit of study, some forethought, some reading between the lines and, of course, a bit of luck- can assess the facts and the significant bits of minutiae which must be taken into account in arriving at values. The more unusual or special the weapon, the more thought, research and overall effort is required to arrive at an evaluation.

COVERAGE

For the most part the selection of American firearms in this work is those made prior to the turn of the century--1900. Some other semi-modern and modern pieces are included which, by general acceptance, are considered as “collectors” items. These latter pieces certainly could not be accurately called “antique” under the most severe definition of the word, but then again, that word as it is applicable to collecting is one that very often defies an exacting description. For the sake of the argumentation, a few definitions are presented from which the reader may make his own choice: From Webster’s New World Dictionary “...ancient, old, of ancient times, out of date, antiquated, of or in the style of a former period, anything from ancient times, relic, made in a former period.” A few substitute or synonymous words for “antique” from Roget’s International Thesaurus are “...ancient, of yore, time honored, venerable, hoary, second hand, aged, archaic, of other times, out of date, old fashioned, oldfangled, obsolete etc.” So, just where “antique” leaves off and a semi-modern piece begins is really a moot point. Some say it is with the muzzle-loading or percussion era, but that’s not fair definition at all, for the early metallic cartridge arms cannot by any stretch of the imagination be considered “semi-modern.” Choosing to avoid the pitfall of attempting to categorize “antique” American arms, attention is directed to listing and pricing all those generally considered as “collectible.” The omission of certain modern arms no longer manufactured and which bring premium prices as collectors’ items should not in any manner indicate that such pieces are not collectible. It merely reflects the feeling of the author that those guns are more often found in a “modern” collection and values more often seen in “modern” gun trading value guides and therefore beyond the scope of this volume.

ARRANGEMENT

Considerable thought was given to the arrangements of chapters and material within this book. Whenever and wherever possible, grouping has been alphabetical by the manufacturer’s name, such as with the more well known, longer-active and prolific makers. For the most part their production has been itemized chronologically; in those few instances varying from this pattern the reasons are explained in the accompanying text.

All remaining arms are listed by major collecting type, e.g., American military handguns, American percussion pistols, American metallic cartridge pistols, etc. In some categories listings have been arbitrarily determined; as evidenced with primary and secondary martial handguns and longarms. A conscientious effort was made to list specimens under their most suitable categories; in some difficult cases the arbitrary choice was based on personal experience in dealing with those exact guns over many years.

Cross-indexing has been extensively used to assist the reader in quick identification or classification. The primary listing of a gun was determined by where it was felt the reader was most likely to first seek information; the cross-indexing allowed him to know that the gun might rightfully belong in another collecting group as well. This is especially true of items in the martial arms field which might be collected either for their military association or as the product of a specific manufacturer. The mere listing of an arm as a cross-indexed piece does not necessarily indicate or influence its importance in that particular collecting field.

Photographs of every major type or style of gun described are used; an important aid to identification. It was found both impossible as well as impractical to illustrate all pieces on an exact relative scale. Thus, not a few illustrations will be found disproportionate in size.

Guns are listed by their original factory terminology whereever possible and/or their traditional or collector designated “proper names.” The sub-listings including alternative designations or popular “nicknames” (if any) preceded by the abbreviation “a.k.a.” which merely means “...also known as...”

THE NUMBER SYSTEM AND HOW TO USE IT

The major innovation introduced in the Second Edition was a standardized numbering system for antique American guns. That was the first time such a reference mechanism was employed. It has since proven itself an asset to the hobby and continues to be employed in ever-widening usage, lending standardization afforded to but few other major collecting areas.

Numbers have been assigned to each gun and variation thereof listed in this book The system has been designed so that all firearms are simply and quickly located.

The first two digits (or single digit and alphabet letter) indicate the chapter and section in the book in which a particular weapon is found. The last three digits indicate the numerical order within that particular chapter in which the gun is listed, described and priced. Thus, Item 5B-025 indicates a gun found in Chapter V, section “B”, Item 025 which is the Military Issue Colt Second Model Dragoon. Second example: 14-038 indicates a firearm listed in Chapter XIV, Item 038 which is a Peabody-Martini Creedmoor Mid-Range Rifle.

In instances where the collector has a gun not found listed in the book or a variant of one illustrated and described, simply use the reference “...similar to Number” and note the differences.

A TWO-EDGED SWORD

I am well aware that writing about, as well as establishing values for, an entire field of collecting may be likened to treading on thin ice. As has been the case with other books preceding this (in every field of collecting - guns included), the authors are damned for setting prices that are too low, being accused of doing so in order to buy such objects cheaply and hence make a killing for themselves; while on the opposite hand, they are damned for making the prices too high so they might sell their own items and hence, also make a killing! Writing price-guides is very much a two-edged sword. In either event, it is never possible to satisfy everybody and with the subjective nature of prices (especially antiques) and prices varying from section to section (as discussed later), it is quite possible—as a matter of fact it’s assured—that not all parties are going to see eye-to-eye on values. All too often prices are based on grand expectations rather than first-hand knowledge. With all candor, the reader is assured that I have no personal agenda to advance... or nest to feather...and, that a conscientious effort was made to reflect current retail value, in an open marketplace, for the listed antique arms in the various states of condition indicated.

READER TAKE NOTE!

Quite likely the major misuse of a book such as this is the failure to read the “fine print.” It has been the my experience, based on many years of observing human nature, that a great majority of those seeking an evaluation (and that includes advanced collectors, too) are guilty of seeing only what they want to see. They either don’t (or won’t) bother to read anything other than the listed price; which is very often the highest listed price without regard to condition. Jumping to such conclusions will likely result in disappointment. In order to utilize this book to the fullest, it is of the direct importance to read and digest the section discussing how various degrees of condition are arrived at and how those conditions radically affect price. Equally important is to know that desirable degrees of condition vary considerably with guns of different periods and makers. A discussion of condition has been purposely repeated throughout the book and it is strongly recommended that the reader often refers to that page in Chapter II giving details of standards for condition used for evaluations throughout this book.

COLLECTOR’S GIFT

Having set forth the motives and objectives for this book, and before leaving the reader to his own devices in buying, selling or trading, the author presents herewith a suggested format for an heraldic device the student may wish to use as a pattern for his personally devised crest or bookplate, signifying him a member of the arms collecting fraternity. The legend emblazoned within the riband stands as the most often heard, plaintive cry of the gun trader!

Norm Flayderman Post Office Box 2446 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33303 U.S.A.

*I’ve got more than that in it!