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THE COLT COLLECTOR:

PINNACLES & PITFALLS

If you have ever thought that you might want to begin a collection of Colt (or other) firearms, you are in for a challenging and entertaining learning experience. Surprisingly, you do not have to begin with thousands of dollars to devote to the hobby, either. Over time, you may want to extend your interests to the more fascinating (and expensive) corners of Colt collecting – the earliest models that generally become available seem to be the 1850s Dragoons and Walkers – but whatever you decide, you will want to start quietly and carefully, learning as you go, enjoying the trip.

INTERVIEW WITH A COLLECTOR

To learn more about the fun, fascinating and potentially lucrative hobby of collecting Colt firearms, we turned to an expert, Ed Cox of Fernley, Nevada. Ed is a member of the Colt Collector’s Association (www.coltcollectorsassoc.com) as well as the owner of www.antiquegunlist.com and other Internet sites.

RS: Good morning, Ed. How would you describe yourself as a Colt firearms collector?

Ed: I’m not a staunch collector like many people are. I kind of half-way collect and deal, buy and sell. I mean, some of these folks get a gun and just absolutely would not turn it loose for anything. I don’t look at it that way. When I’m ready to sell a gun, I put a price on it and if somebody gives me that price then they own it. It’s theirs. I think I’m more of a dealer than a collector, but they are all “my Colts” as long as I have them in my possession until I sell them.

RS: How long have you been involved in the gun collecting field?

Ed: Well, I really don’t know as far as collecting is concerned…. You know, you start out as a kid shooting and maybe owning a gun and I think at that time it’s kind of planted in you that there are a certain number of guns around, whether they are hunting guns or just pistols that you can take out and shoot. This interest and familiarity with guns just naturally leads into collecting.

These days most people don’t have the luxury of growing up with guns, though. It would be nice if people could start collecting a little earlier, but most have to wait until the kids are gone and all the school bills are paid.

RS: How many Colts do you own at the present time?

Ed: Counting the broken ones and the ones I’d never part with and the ones that are for sale, maybe a couple hundred.

RS: How would you describe the impulse to collect?

Ed: Well, I think that for each person it is different. For me, it is the nostalgia of the 1800s. I don’t collect anything much into the 1900s, but there are many collectors who specialize in Colt semi-automatics and machine guns and newer stuff. Some people collect only the commemorative issues. So for each person it is different. That kernel of itch and interest pushes us all in a little different direction.

With the antique guns, there is a lot of nostalgia connected to collecting them and they will consistently go up in value more than anything you can think of, including the stock market.

RS: So which of the old Colts do you collect? The Patersons? Percussion Era guns?

Ed: Well, I don’t go back that far. A real Paterson in good condition today would probably cost between $200,000 and $300,000. And in the single actions, some of those guns run to $40,000 or $50,000.

I am in the Percussion Era, though, and the Dragoons are a little bit more in my price range. For an authentic Dragoon, you’re probably talking about $5,000.

RS: Do you do any cowboy shooting, Ed? Are you a member of the Single Action Shooting Society?

Ed: I don’t do any cowboy shooting. Even though I could shoot some of the guns I own, I don’t. When you pay a certain amount of money – and some people will disagree with this – you don’t want to stick a bullet in it and risk blowing it up. Old guns are made of old steel and I know of people who have bought a single action gun from the 1880s and they just had to shoot it so they put a modern round through it and blew up the gun.

RS: A gun from the 1880s would have been built in the black powder era, wouldn’t it, so pressures and proof testing and what-not would be different.

Ed: Now, if you shot that 1880s gun with a light black powder load, you might not have any problem. I have the reloading knowledge and even have all the black powder components here, so I could go out and shoot, but I don’t want to. For me, it’s more about collecting. I just want to look at this piece. I’ve got a Burgess rifle sitting above the window here in my office and I look at it all the time and I want to think of what cowboy had this gun; what sheriff or bad guy had this. If the gun could only talk it would probably tell some great stories.1 But as far as taking that gun down and putting a bullet in it and shooting, well I could with no problem, but I don’t have the desire to do that.

RS: I understand that most dedicated collectors would never shoot the guns in their collection. In fact, with a commemorative gun a single shot would cause minor scratches and detract from its value, and with an antique gun … well, what’s the point?

Ed: That’s partially true. Parts just are not available for many of these old guns unless a collector can get something hand made and that would simply destroy the gun’s re-sale value. So you’re right on that account: what would be the point?

With commemoratives, some collectors like them because they want a mint gun in the box and they are certainly not going to run a round through it. They become valuable because Colt just doesn’t make these guns anymore.

I prefer the older stuff that I can cock, though, guns that I can oil and take care of short of firing a round through them.

RS: So your guns are mechanically in good condition, but you choose not to shoot them. Do most collectors do maintenance to this extent?

Ed: You still have a lot of people who think that if the gun came to them this way, it’s just a “leave it alone” proposition; they don’t do anything to it. But you’ve also got a number of the modern collectors who want the gun working, at least functional even though they won’t go out and shoot it. It gives them some satisfaction to know that they could go out and shoot it if they wanted to.

RS: Would you say that it takes several thousand dollars to begin serious collecting?

Ed: No, it doesn’t, because even a lot of the early Sturm-Rugers from the ‘50s are collectible today. A lot of other companies are becoming collectible, too. The Iver Johnsons, for instance, and lots of off the wall guns. Even the so-called “Saturday night specials” are becoming collectible and you can start out buying those guns for $150 to $200.

Colt collecting is like the Cadillac of gun collecting, the ultimate. Colt and Winchester. Not that some of the other guns aren’t reaching peaks on rarity and getting up there like Colt. But Colt and Winchester are still the top of the line of collecting, and it seems like everybody wants a Colt or a Winchester. Take Winchester. The old line company is gone now. The manufacturing factory is closed. They’re no longer in business. If that happens to Colt, everybody is going to want a piece of the history of Colt and prices for Colt guns are going to go through the roof.

RS: So what do collectors say about Colt? What’s the future look like?

Ed: It’s hard to say what’ll happen to Colt. They still produce guns for us consumers, but it’s got to come out of the Custom Shop so that’s limited in quantity. It’s just depends on their management and ownership. I don’t want to speak publicly about Colt, but I don’t know where they are going to go, either. Colt is an icon, but I’ve even seen articles that have said they’ve gone out of the commercial business. Of course, Colt says it’s going to be around a long time, but whether they are or not, I don’t know.

RS: When somebody gets into collecting Colt or Smith & Wesson or any other brand, will they get to a point where they want to show off their collection, say at the annual meeting of the Colt Collector’s Association … or do most people keep their guns locked away and private for safe keeping?

Ed: The Collector’s Association holds a convention somewhere in the U.S. every year. But there again, I live in Nevada and if the convention is in West Virginia, that’s a long drive. I’m lucky this year because the convention is in Reno and I’m right here.

As far as showing off fine collections of guns, that’s nice, but I know guys who have a lot of guns and they don’t show them at all.

I think a lot of collectors don’t want to display their guns. They keep them under lock and key. Some of the people who can afford it eventually build some kind of place to show their gun collection. I know guys in the CCA who have vaults and have their guns hanging up on display in there so they can just go in and look up and enjoy them any time they want, but that costs quite a bit of money.

RS: When someone decides to get into collecting, is it customary for them to identify some niche that interests them, and then concentrate on it? I’m thinking, for instance, of collecting all variations of the New Police, or Single Action Army or Pre-1911 Colt Semi-Autos.

Ed: I think the urge to collect stems from someone’s background with guns, like in hunting. They find a gun that interests them and they read a little and begin to learn more and, pretty soon, they find another gun that is of similar interest but maybe just a little different and they buy that and read and learn a little more.

It takes a good size library to collect guns. You can’t just run out and buy guns without reading and learning about them, and about the marketplace. Now, some people do, but they are the ones who usually get hurt because they don’t know what they are buying and they pay too much. Let’s face it. You can pay any kind of astronomical price for a gun. If you want it, but the guy who owns it doesn’t want to let go of it, he’ll put a very high price on it – and if you want it bad enough, you’ll have to pay that high price if you want to own it bad enough. I guess, in that way, it’s no different than if you collect automobiles.

I do believe that you’ve got to have an extensive library of books. I’ve probably got between 50 and 100 books about guns and I’ve read and studied most of them, especially the parts about what I want to collect or trade. Eventually your knowledge builds from just hanging around collectors, and buying and selling a few guns.

I don’t think I started off collecting and decided, “Well, I’m going to just collect Pythons.” Of course, I don’t collect Pythons. That’s a new gun, but some guys do collect them because they like them.

I happen to collect anything chambered for the .41 caliber cartridge. For me, it is just a nostalgic caliber that’s not made any more. They don’t even produce the ammunition in the United States now, and if you want to fire one of the old .41s, you have to build the ammo yourself. I know of some guys who load the .41 for cowboy action shooting, but it’s still an obsolete caliber. I just kind of like it and want to try to collect one of every model Colt produced in that caliber. Some of them are quite rare, too, and then you had the .41 rimfire and the .41 Long, but Colt didn’t offer a .41 Long after about 1923. So the history goes back quite a long way for me. And no, they never made a semi-auto in .41 caliber.

RS: You make collecting firearms sound like a pretty fascinating hobby.

Ed: Well, that is what it is for me, because it connects me to a fascination with the cowboy era. Along with that is the Single Action Army revolver and whatever, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane and Buffalo Bill Cody, but everyone goes their own way for whatever personal reason.

I’ve collected many things over the years just because I was interested in them, and then got rid of them. But the .41s … I just kind of stayed with them.

So I would say that if you are going to collect anything, you first ought to go out and buy some books on the subject and read them. Now there aren’t going to be books on every possible Colt gun that you can collect, but there are some that will kind of help you along. One of them is the book Colt: An American Legend by R.L. Wilson that covers just about every gun Colt made up until the mid 1980s, and it’s a good book. But then again, if you were going to specialize in collecting the ’49 Pocket or the ‘51 Navy, you’d want to try to find a book specifically on them.

You know, just the accoutrements of black powder, they have a book on that and some people just collect that sort of thing. So it just depends on where your interest lies and finding the book on that. Of course they’re always writing new books and one of them may be in an interest you like. And if there isn’t a book in the particular area you want, you need to belong to the Colt Collector’s Association and get to know the people who have been doing this for a really long time and they will kind of help you out and help you get started with some ideas about what you should do and what you should look out for.

I think collecting should always be … you should always buy the best your money can afford. Buy low end if that is all you can afford, but buy authentic. The older guns are only going to increase in value if you take care of them. Eventually you’ll move out of the low end, maybe after buying two or three, and be able to trade up to a more valuable gun.

RS: Is there a certification process for gun appraisers? Even a voluntary system through the CCA, for instance?

Ed: No, there’s no certification. I know there are a lot of good people out there who can give you a rough idea on almost any gun, but there really are a few people in any particular field who are specialists and can give you a evaluation of what a particular gun is worth.

You take John Kopec [phone 532-222-4440; “U.S. Cavalry and Artillery Authentication Service”] who does letters on Single Action Army military guns – well, people like his letters because he wrote the book and he is constantly studying this gun. People like to be able to say, “Kopec said there was nothing wrong with this gun or to watch for such and such ….” Because most of the military guns have gone up in value quite drastically, you want to make sure that what you bought, or are just thinking about buying, is authentic and not something put together. Kopec wrote the book on the Single Action Army military guns2 and there isn’t anyone out there who is a lot more knowledgeable about the subject than him.

Now, there are many other guys out there who are specialists in particular types of guns like the percussion Dragoons. You can find these fellows. You just have to hunt for them on line and through the Colt Collector’s Association. The CCA is a good source if you are even considering buying an old gun, unless you are buying from an auction house and the auction house would supply its own certificate of authenticity and then stand behind it. Most auction houses will and do. I won’t say that all of them do (stand behind or guarantee the authenticity of the product they sell), but generally, if an auction house says that something is genuine or real, they mean it that way. And nowadays, a lot of people are going to auctions to buy.

RS: Is there one best way to buy a collectible gun, a way that is better than others?

Ed: No, but if you are an up and coming collector, you need to find somebody that you can trust and then buy through him for a while and let him help you work your way up the ladder. That way, when you are ready to get out there on your own, you won’t get stuck. There are bad guns out there, fakes, guns that have been put together from parts or with new parts or whatnot. So you do have to be careful.

RS: It sounds a lot like stamp collecting, just involving a little more money.

Ed: Yes, I’d say so. Sometimes you reach out there and think you’re getting a real good deal and then discover that it wasn’t a good deal at all. And you need to be careful of that. I guess that one sour experience can make you cautious, but most of the time the collectors in this field are pretty honest guys who got into it because they love it and making money on it comes round about the fun they have.

RS: Ed, thank you very much for sharing all this with us and I look forward to meeting you at a Colt Collector’s Association gathering one of these years.

INTERVIEW NOTES

1. The Colt-Burgess Lever Action Rifle was brought to Colt by gun designer Andrew Burgess and was produced from 1883 to 1885. It was Colt’s only attempt to compete with Winchester for the lever action rifle market. It is said that when Winchester started to produce revolving handguns for prospective marketing, Colt dropped the Burgess from its line. The rifle is chambered for .44-40 and has a 25.5 inch barrel with a 15-shot tubular magazine. The Carbine version has a 20.5 inch barrel and a 12 shot magazine. The finish is blued, with a case colored hammer and lever while the stock is walnut with an oil finish. The Colt Hartford address is on the barrel, and “Burgess Patents” is stamped on the bottom of the lever. A total of 3,775 rifles were manufactured: 1,219 with round barrels and 2,556 with octagonal barrels. There were also 2,593 carbines. In “Good” condition with an octagonal or a round barrel, one would expect to pay at least $3,500.

2. With Ron Graham and Kenneth Moore, John Kopec authored “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” and printed it privately in 1976. Although it is no longer in print, copies still come available from time to time from Colt enthusiasts and this handbook has itself become collectible.

GUN RATING SYSTEMS

Accurately describing a gun’s condition is critical when one evaluates a firearm, because from that evaluation, one will estimate the gun’s value. Differences in condition can easily cut the value of a collectible gun in half, or double it. Terms used to evaluate firearms condition have specific meanings.

In the opinion of the editor, all grading systems are subjective. It is my task to offer the collector and dealer a measurement that most closely reflects a general consensus on condition. The system used here seems to come closest to describing a firearm in universal terms. I strongly recommend that the reader acquaint himself with this grading system before attempting to determine the correct price for a particular firearm’s condition. Remember, in most cases condition determines price.

NIB —NEW IN BOX

This category can sometimes be misleading. It means that the firearm is in its original factory carton with all of the appropriate papers. It also means the firearm is new; that it has not been fired and has no wear. This classification brings a substantial premium for both the collector and shooter.

EXCELLENT

Collector quality firearms in this condition are highly desirable. The firearm must be in at least 98 percent condition with respect to blue wear, stock or grip finish, and bore. The firearm must also be in 100 percent original factory condition without refinishing, repair, alterations or additions of any kind. Sights must be factory original as well. This grading classification includes both modern and antique (manufactured prior to 1898) firearms.

VERY GOOD

Firearms in this category are also sought after both by the collector and shooter. Modern firearms must be in working order and retain approximately 92 percent original metal and wood finish. It must be 100 percent factory original, but may have some small repairs, alterations, or non-factory additions. No refinishing is permitted in this category. Antique firearms must have 80 percent original finish with no repairs.

GOOD

Modern firearms in this category may not be considered to be as collectable as the previous grades, but antique firearms are considered desirable. Modern firearms must retain at least 80 percent metal and wood finish, but may display evidence of old refinishing. Small repairs, alterations, or non-factory additions are sometimes encountered in this class. Factory replacement parts are permitted. The overall working condition of the firearm must be good as well as safe. The bore may exhibit wear or some corrosion, especially in antique arms. Antique firearms may be included in this category if their metal and wood finish is at least 50 percent original factory finish.

FAIR

Firearms in this category should be in satisfactory working order and safe to shoot. The overall metal and wood finish on the modern firearm must be at least 30 percent and antique firearms must have at least some original finish or old re-finish remaining. Repairs, alterations, nonfactory additions, and recent refinishing would all place a firearm in this classification. However, the modern firearm must be in working condition, while the antique firearm may not function. In either case the firearm must be considered safe to fire if in a working state.

POOR

Neither collectors nor shooters are likely to exhibit much interest in firearms in this condition. Modern firearms are likely to retain little metal or wood finish. Pitting and rust will be seen in firearms in this category. Modern firearms may not be in working order and may not be safe to shoot. Repairs and refinishing would be necessary to restore the firearm to safe working order. Antique firearms will have no finish and will not function. In the case of modern firearms their principal value lies in spare parts. On the other hand, antique firearms in this condition may be used as “wall hangers” or as an example of an extremely rare variation or have some kind of historical significance.

PRICING SAMPLE FORMAT

THE COLT ARCHIVE LETT ER

Courtesy of Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC:

Considered one of the most unique and prestigious services offered by Colt, the Archive Letter is universally recognized as an unparalleled investment in Colt firearms collecting. The Archive Department will search through Colt’s vast archives to provide you with accurate and documented details confirming the original specifications and delivery of your particular Colt firearm. You will then receive a personal letter outlining all the fine points of your firearm, written on Archive Department’s distinctive stationery, embossed with the official seal and signature of the Colt Historian.

Whether your Colt is a treasured family heirloom or a more recent purchase, a Colt Archive Letter can provide fascinating and valuable information of historical or anecdotal importance. When it is authenticated in this exceptional fashion, the value and collectability of the weapon referred to in a Colt Archive Letter is significantly enhanced.

Colt Archive Letters can finally provide descriptive details about custom engraving and other special features that will ensure the value of the firearm for future generations to treasure.

COLT ARCHIVE SERVICES PRICE LIST (WWW.COLTSMFG.COM/CMCI/HISTORICAL.ASP)

Prices and specifications are current as of April of 2006 and are subject to change without notice.

PERCUSSION MODELS

• $300.00 - 1851 Navy (98,000 to 132,000), 1861 Navy (1 to 12,000) and 1860 Army Revolvers (1 to 140,000). Records are only available on these models within the specified serial number ranges as noted above.

• $200.00 – Some 1849 Pocket Revolvers are available – call prior to ordering (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

MODEL 1871 TO 1872 OPEN TOP REVOLVER

• $200.00 (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 RIMFIRE

• $200.00 (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

REVOLVERS

• $75.00 – Agent, Army Special, Anaconda, Banker’s Special, Border Patrol (c. 1970), Cobra, Commando, Courier, Cowboy, Deringer (4th Model), Lord & Lady Deringer, Detective Special, DS II, Diamondback, Frontier Scout, King Cobra, Marshal, New Frontier .22, Officer’s Model, Officer’s Model Match, Official Police, Pequano, Pocket Positive, Police Positive, Police Positive Special, Python, Peacemaker .22, Three-fifty-seven Magnum, Trooper, Reproduction Black Powder models (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

• $100.00 – Aircrewman, Bisley, Border Patrol (c. 1952), Camp Perry, Marine Corps Model, 1889 Navy, New Army, New Line, New Navy, New Pocket, New Police, New Service, New House, New Frontier SAA, Open Top Pocket, Shooting Master, Single Action Army, 1877 Double Action, 1878 Double Action (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

PISTOLS

• $75.00 – Ace, 38AMU Kit, Challenger, .45-22 Conversion Units, Colt .22 Auto, Government Model .380s, Huntsman, Jr. Colt, Match Target, Mustang .380s, 1903 Pocket Hammer (.38), 1903 Pocket Hammerless (.32), Pony .380 Series 90, Targetsman, Woodsman (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

• $100.00 – All American, .38 AMU Automatic Pistol, .22-45 Conversion Units, Combat Elite, Commander models, Delta Elites, Double Eagles, Gold Cup, Government Model, National Match, Officer’s ACP, .38 Super & Super Match, .38 Special Kit, 1900 Automatic, CZ-40, 1902 Military & Sporting, 1905 Automatic, 1911 & 1911A1 Automatics, M1991A1 Automatics

RIFLES

• $75.00 – Colteer, Courier, Coltsman Bolt Action, Stagecoach

• $100.00 – AR-15 Sporter, Burgess Model, Sharps Rifle (limited records), Lightning Rifles (limited records), Sauer (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

SHOTGUNS

• $100.00 – 1878 Hammer, 1883 Hammerless (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

SPECIAL EDITIONS

• $100.00 (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

COMMEMORATIVES

• $100.00 (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

NOTES

About Premium Pricing: This pricing is added to the base price of the letter when the following special features are noted:

• Standard engraving – $100.00

• Expert engraving – $125.00

• Master engraving, no gold inlays – $150.00

• Gold inlays with scroll engraving quoted individually

• Unique shipping destination – cost as follows:

o Company Executives – add $50.00

o Buffalo Bill, Bat Masterson, etc. – add $200.00

o Colt family members – add $100.00

o Retype Service: A previously prepared Colt historical letter can be submitted for verification and reissued in the current owner’s name – $35.00

o Retypes for custom engraved firearms – $50.00

ARCHIVE PHONE SERVICE

This premium service enables our customers to obtain all the pertinent information on 1st Generation Single Actions up to the 343,000 serial number range over the phone. This does not include the Bisley Model. A historical document containing the information will follow within two to three weeks. A MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover Card is required as a method of payment for this service. This expedited service is also offered on the 2nd Generation Single Actions. However, we require one day to process these requests.

• 1st Generation Single Action Army Phone Service: $150.00 – up to serial range of 343,000 (see Premium Pricing for additional charges)

• Expedited Phone Service – applies to all other models – Standard letter fee plus additional $100.00: Requires three days to process (see Premium Pricing for additional charges )

• Dates of Manufacture – $25.00

• Identification Service – $50.00: This service provides novice collectors and customers with identification and general information on a specific firearm

• Memorabilia Identification Service - $25.00: This provides novice collectors and customers with identification and general information and approximate value on a specific Colt memorabilia item

DISCOUNTS

A 10% discount will be given to all members of the Colt Collector’s Association. (This discount may not be combined with quantity discounts.)

QUANTITY DISCOUNTS:

• Requests for 5-10 historical documents qualify for a 10% discount

• Requests for 11-20 historical documents qualify for a 15% discount

• Requests for more than 20 historical documents qualify for a 20% discount

REFUND POLICY

If we have records available and can attempt the research, but do not locate the firearm in question, a research fee will apply as follows:

• $75 & $100 requests will be charged a $50.00 research fee

• $200 requests will be charged a $100.00 research fee

• $300 requests will be charged a $100.00 research fee

No fee will be charged for Single Actions serialized under 343,000 (which include the Phone Service) that are non-record guns. Please make check or money order payable to Colt Archive Properties. MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover Card are accepted for all services

GUN COLLECTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

BY JOHN CARADIMAS, EXCERPTED FROM WWW.M1911.ORG

Once you begin collecting, you may find that index cards with handwritten notes serve just as well to keep track as anything. As your collecting expands, however, as you meet additional collectors and consider tracking purchases and sales prices, the index cards may become more confusing than helpful. At that point, you may want to turn to a specialized computer program.

Several programs have been developed especially for gun collecting: NM Gun Collector, Gun Inventory, GunTracker, GunSafe and KollectAll, among others. [Editor’s Note: These and other collection management programs can be located for download or purchase through any web search site such as Google or Dogpile.]

KOLLECTALL

This is a generic “Collection Management Software.” It allows you to organize anything that you may be collecting, from books to stamps to guns, with everything in between. The program comes with some predefined “collections,” including guns.

Unfortunately, by trying to be all things to all collections and collectors, this program lacks several features of the more specialized programs. This generic philosophy shows up with the lack of dedicated help fields, fields that have predefined values from which to select. Also, the data entry form is organized in a strange way, where the various gun-related fields, which should be grouped together, are spread all over the form, in no rational order, at least for a gun owner. Being the “Jack of all trades” is not always the best approach.

On the other hand, KollectAll allows you to summarize the value of your collection, and to add images of any gun stored in its file. Unfortunately, the images are only loosely connected to the related item, which only shows you the image of that particular item after you have clicked the “Images” tab. From then on, however, you can browse all the images you have stored in the program’s files. Finally, the program can show you a list of all your guns.

GUN SAFE

Gun Safe is a dedicated gun collection organizer program, made by Kevin Kelly. Kelly is a shooter and a collector, and he has used his experience to good effect when developing this program.

From the program’s main menu, you can select your next step. The data entry screen is very well organized with drop-down menus helping you fill in the various fields. There is a huge manufacturer’s list, a list of all possible calibers, a configuration list (single action, double action, pump, semi-auto, etc.), a type list (pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine-gun, etc.), a stock/grips list (with various stock or grips to select from), a finish list (blue, stainless, Parkerized, etc.) and more.

What’s significant is that all these lists are customizable, so you can alter them to suit your needs. For example, if one is collecting only 1911 pistols, you can edit the manufacturers list, to include only 1911 manufacturers. You can edit the caliber list to include only those calibers that a 1911 is available in, and so on. I liked that feature. Such lists exist also in the other data entry screens. In the same screen the user can fill in other useful details, such as manufacturing date, purchasing date, condition, if he has the original box or not, if the item is a C&R or not, where the gun is stored, what accessories he has for that particular firearm and more.

Gun Safe has separate forms for entering purchasing and sale information. There is a list of “Transaction Kinds,” from which you can select how the gun was acquired (gun shop, on-line shop, auction, etc) and enter details about the seller. Likewise, there is a separate form for the sale of the gun while another allows you to maintain detailed records of when that particular firearm was maintained and what was done to it at that time. Still another form allows you to enter notes for that particular firearm, very useful for keeping important information, such as favorite loads.

The program has a final data entry screen in which you can enter pictures of that firearm. An unlimited number of pictures can be entered, which however are not directly associated with that particular gun. Even though the program will show you the picture associated with that gun first, it will also continue and show you all other pictures entered in its database, something not very intuitive. You can also, of course, ask to see a complete list of your collection.

Apart from a few minor idiosyncrasies, the program is very nice and should cover the needs of the average gun owner. What serious collectors will miss is the ability to see the total value of your collection, something Gun Safe does not offer.

GUNTRACKER 2.4

This program will appeal to the serious gun collector. Included is a database with almost every possible firearm manufacturer (something tells me that the maker of this program is licensing the Blue Book of Values database). For each manufacturer, the program includes an incredible number of predefined models (every model that this particular manufacturer has ever produced). There are so many manufacturers and models and model variations that it is easy to become frustrated with the details.

The program does not force you to select from its internal database, by browsing through the models produced by a specific manufacturer. You can use the Search function to narrow your selection. And you can enter a firearm record without using the built-in database; so the user can select his method of data entry.

The data entry form has all the fields that a gun owner or a collector will need. In addition to the usual fields of maker, model, serial number, etc. the program allows you to enter the current value of the firearm as well as the price paid for it. It also allows scheduling the next maintenance session, to enter an insured value, storage location and a personal rating. This program allows you to associate pictures with each firearm, and the images for each firearm are associated to that particular firearm alone (a nice touch). It also allows you to enter notes about the gun.

From the data entered, the user can get a variety of reports, such as a Full Collection Report, or a Scheduled Maintenance Report or a report of firearms per storage location. A “Wanted” report shows which firearms you have defined as desirable. Finally, a customized report option is available, but I didn’t have the time to try this out.

Overall, this is a program for the serious gun collector, a bit too difficult to use for the average Joe who owns some firearms and wants to have an electronic reference for them.

NM GUNCOLLECTOR

Once you start the program, its title changes to NM Firearms. It comes with a full installation procedure and it is quite intuitive to use. There are some tabs on the top, from where you select what you want to see, and a few buttons, like “Add Item,” “Delete Item,” etc.

On a data screen, wherever you see a down-arrow next to a field, there is a hidden list of options you can use. For example, if you click on the arrow next to “Manufacturer,” a list of manufacturers will appear, from which you can select the one who made your firearm. Manufacturers, types and calibers are already predefined, but you may want to alter the lists to suit your needs. For example, I personally would edit the manufacturer list and leave in only the ones who produce M1911 pistols.

The Receipt tab allows you to enter information related to the seller of that firearm, while Disposition is the area where you enter information about whom you sold it to. In these screens you can enter the amount of money you paid for the gun and the amount of money you got when you sold it.

A separate tab allows you to enter pictures of the selected firearm, an unlimited number of pictures can be entered and the program includes a nice feature to show you those pictures in thumbnail form. There is a “Statistics” tab where you can see a list of your whole collection, together with the total values etc. Finally, there is a “Lists Edit” tab, from which you can alter the predefined lists that appear in certain fields in the data entry screen.

One unique feature of this program is the fact that it incorporates a bar code feature, which allows you to print bar code labels for your firearms. The program also allows you to maintain firearm records as if you were an FFL dealer or a C&R collector, and it will generate the BATFE required lists for you, warning you several days before your license expires etc.

Using this program, one appreciates its simplicity and also its flexibility and power. What I liked is how easy it is to enter the information for each firearm you own, and how easy it is to change the predefined lists of values. An M1911 collector can easily erase all the other calibers, for example, except the ones related to the 1911.

Overall, for the average shooter, this is a very nice program to manage his collection.

FIREARMS ENGRAVING & GUN VALUES

BY JIM SUPICA, OLD TOWN STATION, LTD., COLLECTIBLE FIREARMS (WWW.ARMCHAIRGUNSHOW.COM)

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN NRA’S INSIGHTS MAGAZINE )

What in the world could make a gun worth more than a new car? Or worth more than a new house, for that matter? In most cases, when a gun is hammered “sold” for five or six figures at one of the high-end auction houses, part of the answer is “engraving.” But if that is the case, how come that engraved commemorative you saw at the last gun show was offered for less than a standard model? To explain this situation, let’s take a look at the history of firearms engraving, and the market for old and new engraved guns today.

THE ORIGIN OF ENGRAVING

The origin of decorated arms is lost in the mists of pre-history. The role of man’s earliest weapons in providing food and ensuring his survival made them some of the earliest and most important tools. The impulse to decorate and personalize them must have accounted for some of humankind’s first artistic endeavors.

As societies and their technology evolved, the bond between art and arms logically continued. Whether for a king or a tribal chieftain, weaponry represented the means to acquiring and holding political power, and the enhancement of these to suit the status of the owner was a given. What are a scepter and crown, if not vestigial arm and armor?

Whatever the origins, by the time the first firearms were developed, the tradition of decorating arms (and armor) had long been established. The earliest matchlocks were more or less standard military issue tools (used by commoners), and hence not often decorated. However as wheellocks and then flintlocks evolved, some of the finest artistic efforts of the Post-Medieval Epoch, the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, were applied to them. A strong firearms engraving tradition grew in Europe, with separate and identifiable German, French and British styles evolving. The French engraved arms of the Louis XIII and XIV era (roughly 1610 to 1715) are justly famous as masterpieces.

Before the industrial revolution and efficient mass production utilizing interchangeable parts, each gun was hand crafted individually. During this flintlock and early percussion era, the vast majority of firearms included some sort of decoration. Usually this took the form of engraving designs, patterns or images directly on the metal of the lock, barrel and hardware, along with carving and possibly inlaying the wood of the stock. Only military issue weapons of the era tended to lack this type of embellishment, and even these can often be found with an individuals initials carved into the stock or scratched into the metal, probably during a long night’s encampment.

In America of the 1800s, the production of firearms represented the cutting edge of evolving technology and art. As Eli Whitney introduced mass production techniques, Whitney firearms were among the first products so made.

When Samuel Colt introduced the first perfected repeating firearms, his percussion revolvers, he also continued the tradition of decorated arms by rolling various scenes onto the cylinders, including a dragoon battle, a naval engagement and a stagecoach holdup on various models. In addition to these standard mass produced scenes, Colt also offered individually engraved pieces, either custom ordered or made by Colt for presentation to prominent individuals to promote the firm’s wares.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF ENGRAVING

The second half of the 19th century, from just before the Civil War to the turn of the century is considered the “Golden Age” of firearms engraving. During this period, nearly all of the major gun manufacturers offered fancy engraved firearms for their well-heeled or more discerning customers, with Colt, Winchester and Smith & Wesson particularly utilizing the services of the master engravers of the era.

This is the period when a distinctly American style of engraving came into its own. It evolved from the Germanic vine scroll style brought to this country by the great masters of the era: Louis D. Nimschke, Gustave Young (Jung) and Conrad Ulrich. The style incorporated larger, more flowing scrollwork, and came to be most associated with Nimschke. Today, it is often called “Nimschke style” or perhaps “New York style” engraving. The next generation of great engravers included the sons of Young, the sons and grandsons of Ulrich, and Cuno Helfricht, along with many other master engravers.

Some of the driving forces behind this artistic explosion were the practice of giving “presentation” arms to influential friends, and the great national and international expositions of the era. During and after the Civil War, it was customary to express appreciation to civic or military leaders, or to a valued business associate or loved family member, by giving a specially engraved firearm. Sometimes this involved a simple inscription of the recipient’s and possibly the giver’s names, but it sometimes included extensive decoration. The great expositions were “fairs” where manufacturers would display their best products, and the arms makers vied with each other to produce the most strikingly eye-catching artworks.

ENGRAVING IN RECENT HISTORY & TODAY

Firearms engraving declined during the first half of the 20th century, although it was kept alive by such great engravers as R.J. Kornbrath. However, the years following World War II saw a resurgence of the interest in engraving, both contemporary work and collectible classic firearms art.

In the 1960s and ‘70s, there was a trend of mass-produced decorated firearms, probably most notably the many “commemoratives” marketed by Colt and Winchester. Rather than individual hand-crafted pieces, thousands of identically decorated guns would be sold commemorating an individual, event, or even a general “concept,” such as “Antlered Game.” During this period, organizations such as Ducks Unlimited or various law enforcement agencies would also commission special limited runs of mass produced decorated firearms.

The 1980s and ‘90s saw a resurgence of truly exceptional engraving. The custom departments at Smith & Wesson and Colt, along with several gifted private engravers in America and Europe (Perazzi shotguns, for example, from Botticino, Italy) are currently producing working firearms that rival and in some cases surpass the “Golden Age” masterpieces.

Given this rich history, and the undeniable timeless appeal of decorated arms, how does one establish a value for an engraved gun? Let’s take a look at some of the choices.

COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES

These guns tend to be valued for their scarcity as collectibles or for their general eye appeal. If individual hand engraved guns are considered and evaluated as unique works of art, these mass produced pieces are perhaps more similar to limited edition prints of artwork or other items intentionally made to be collectibles, such as limited edition Christmas ornaments. The various price guides such as Blue Book of Gun Values or Standard Catalog of Firearms provide a good indication of the retail price of these arms. Generally speaking, the fewer produced, the older the commemorative, and the more attractive the decoration, the greater the value.

To command close to full “book” value, a commemorative type arm must be in NIB or “new in the box” condition, definitely unfired and preferably without the action having ever been worked! (Due to manufacturing tolerances, such actions as rotating the cylinder of a revolver or working the lever of a rifle can create minute scratches in the finish that will reduce the desirability of a collectible commemorative). Once a commemorative has been fired, its value begins to rapidly decline towards that of a standard non-decorated example of the same model. A commemorative that shows extensive wear will often bring much less than a plain model with similar wear.

Although the interest in commemoratives declined in the 1970s and 1980s, probably due to over-production, today’s market shows some signs of renewed interest.

INSCRIBED PIECES

A gun which has no decoration other than an individual’s name or other inscription may bring more or less than a similar gun without any special marking. There are two factors that determine the value, historical significance and authenticity.

Of these factors, authenticity of the inscription will make or break the piece. Unfortunately, out and out fraudulent inscribed guns are not that uncommon. Often, the documentation accompanying the piece and providing some “provenance” of the authenticity of the inscription will be a deciding factor.

Once determined to be authentic, the premium that an inscribed piece brings will be determined by its historical significance. As can be imagined, a modern gun that just has “someone else’s name” on it will generally be less desirable for a shooter than a plain gun, and may be worth less because of the inscription. On the other hand, authentically inscribed guns which can be proven to have been owned by a famous (or infamous) individual can bring astronomical prices for the history they embody.

Any authentic inscription that is more than 100 years old will generally add some interest and value to a gun.

MODERN ENGRAVED GUNS

Engraved firearms have to be evaluated as individual works of art. Some of the factors that must be considered include skill of workmanship, extent of coverage, artistic appeal and uniqueness. Factory engraving will bring a premium over engraving of unknown origin. Sparse coverage brings less than full coverage.

For example, Smith & Wesson offers three standard levels of engraving. Their “C” is 1/3 coverage, with recent pricing ranging in the $800 to $1,250 range, depending on the size of the gun (this is the engraving charge, and does not include the base price of the gun). The S&W “B” engraving is 2/3 coverage and runs in the $1,300 to $1,500 range, while full or “A” coverage engraving costs around $1,400 to $1,900.

Colt’s custom engraving runs the opposite direction. Colt’s “A” engraving is the least coverage, and the scale runs up to “D” grade full coverage. Colt also offers varying qualities of engraving: Standard, Expert and Master. According to the Blue Book of Gun Values recent pricing for Colt’s top of the line Master grade engraving, signed by the master engraver, on a Colt Single Action Army was $1,163 for A; $2,324 for B; $3,487 for C; and $4,647 for D.

These values are for standard scrollwork patterns. Special jobs requiring artistic talent in the development of a unique design can run considerably more.

A major determining factor on non-factory engraved guns is the reputation and skill of the engraver. As with other artists, the acknowledged masters of the form will bring substantial premiums over unknown engravers. When dealing with an unknown engraver, the quality of the work will determine its final value. The finest engraving is always done with hand tools, chisel and hammer. Crudely done engraving can actually lessen the value of a firearm.

ANTIQUE ENGRAVING

Older engraving is valued in a similar way to modern engraving: the artistic quality, extent of coverage and reputation of the engraver are of greatest importance. However, most 19th century engraving was not signed by the engraver, and attribution to a particular hand is much more art than science, and that art has been mastered by only a few students after many years of study.

Fortunately, factory records for firms such as Winchester, Colt and Smith & Wesson are intact and originality of engraving on a particular serial numbered gun can often be determined by a search of the records. On the other hand, much 19th century engraving was ordered by the distributors, such as giant M.W. Robinson, rather than the manufacturers. Sometimes, a factory notation that a gun was shipped to a distributor “soft” or “in the white” indicates that the gun was intended to be engraved. Some of the finest engraved guns were commissioned by distributors or even by individual owners. When considering paying a premium for old engraving, it’s a very good idea to get an expert opinion on the authenticity and quality.

Ultimately, gun value and engraving come down to individual taste. Most shooters and firearms enthusiasts find that sooner or later they get the hankering for a “fancy” gun. Even individuals who may not be interested in guns can appreciate the artistry of a beautifully engraved firearm.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The recently published book Steel Canvas by R. L. Wilson features a fascinating and authoritative discussion of arms engraving along with beautiful photographs of some of the finest firearms ever made. Earlier works by the same author include Winchester Engraving, Colt Engraving, and Nimschke’s pattern book published as L.D. Nimschke, Firearms Engraver. Firearms Engraving as Decorative Art by Frederic Harris provides an interesting discussion of the origins of engraving motif’s in oriental art along with a theory about identifying individual engravers by a detailed study of their cutting style.

COLT COLLECTOR’S ASSOCIATION, INC. 2006 “SHOW GUN”

As an example of the quality of engraving on specialty Colt firearms available to and desired by avid collectors, the Colt Collector’s Association, Inc. offered the following revolver as the “Show Gun” during its annual three day show in Louisville, Kentucky in October, 2006. This gun is the highest example of gun engraving and decoration today and the gun is so designed for display only. It will never be fired and the action will, in all likelihood, never be worked and this will prevent any scarring of the internal mechanisms.

The following description was prepared for the CCA Internet site by 2006 CCA Louisville Show Gun Project Manager Earl L. Whitney and can be found through the CCA Internet site at www.coltcollectorsassoc.com/index.htm. The Show Gun Committee was composed of Project Manager Earl L. Whitney, Project Manager; David Grunberg, Technical Advisor; Michael W. Dubber, Artistic Engraver Coordinator; Joe Canali, Firearm Coordinator; and Dr. Tom Covault, Firearm Coordinator.

THE SHOW GUN

The 2006 CCA Louisville Show Gun was designed after the .22 RF Flattop Target Model of the 1888 to 1895 period. Less than 925 Flattop Target Models were built by Colt during that period and less than 92 in the .22 RF caliber. According to historical research this is the only Colt Flattop Target Model made with an 8.5 inch barrel.

• Colt Single Action Army

• Flattop Target Model

• .22 RF caliber

• 8.5 inch barrel

• Deluxe Exhibition Grade engraving by Michael W. Dubber

• Colt oxide black finish

• Carved ivory one piece grips: The left side has a thoroughbred racing horse with the Kentucky Derby winner’s garland of roses. The right side shows the profiles of Kentucky native sons Daniel Boone and James Bowie.

• Serial number #CCA2006 engraved on a 24k gold inlaid plate.

• Signed under barrel “M. W. Dubber Engr.” this firearm is also signed on the back of the cylinder. All gun parts are marked with MWD.

• Museum Exhibition Grade case: Mission style finish English oak roll top desk with one drawer, full top beveled glass viewing area and French fit red velvet cloth.

• Master engraved Exhibition Grade argentium silver die cut description plate for the display case having the Kentucky theme.

• Six custom made .22 RF blank gold plated cartridges by Michael W. Dubber.

• Engraver’s leather journal showing construction of the CCA Show Gun with photos, compact disk, master plates showing patterns, drawings, prototype laser art on ivory pieces and other items used in the production of this firearm.

• Five piece accessory set, ivory handles with lased art “Serpentine Colt” logo, oxide black and gold plate finish, 24k gold inlaid and scroll engraved oil bottle. The ferrules on the accessories are scroll engraved and gold plated.

• A three quarter scale ivory handle Bowie Knife with oxide black raindrop Damascus blade, 24k raised inlay feather pattern design on the guard and the bolster.

• Lased art ivory handles showing Serpentine “COLT” on the right panel and “CCA—LOUISVILLE—2006” banner on the left panel.

• Ivory plaque carving of the Colt factory dome

ENGRAVING DESCRIPTION

The 2006 Louisville Show Gun is a “Colt Single Action Army Flattop Target Model” with serial number #CCA2006. The gun is Exhibition Grade embellished by Colt Master Engraver Michael W. Dubber with 100 percent coverage in American style scroll engraving: 24k gold lines and vignettes, 24k gold and pure platinum raised and flush inlays with period Kentucky state and historical themes.

• Custom Exhibition Grade engraved in the American Scroll pattern

• 24k gold Kentucky state map on the flattop panel. Raised inlay with single star for the state capital at Frankfort.

• 24k gold fifteen stars flush inlaid on flattop represent Kentucky becoming the 15th state in the Union in 1792.

• 24k gold “CCA LOUISVILLE 2006” banner raised inlay on left side of barrel

• 24k gold “CCA2006” serial number engraved on a flush gold inlaid plate

• 24k gold and platinum “MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME” (the Kentucky state song) with an artistic musical scale and images flush inlaid in gold and platinum on the right side of the barrel.

• 24k gold “The Blue Grass State” in 24k gold flush letters on back strap

• 24k gold Fort Knox in raised image with flush inlaid 24k gold letters “Ft. Knox” on back strap

• 24k gold and platinum northern cardinal, the Kentucky state bird, is inlaid in 24k raised gold with platinum branch on the trigger guard

• 24k gold trigger guard inlaid in flush 24k gold borders and vignettes

• 24k gold ejector housing with highly decorative filigree vignette ejector rod operating piece is lightly engraved in a geometric pattern

• 24k gold back strap and butt strap outlined in decorative flush borders and tracery

• 24k gold front sight fitted with a solid gold adjustable insert, front site is flush engraved and inlaid in gold vignette

• 24k gold rear sight is inlaid with 24k gold aiming notch

• 24k gold horseshoe in raised 24k gold inlay on the muzzle end of the barrel

• 24k gold Colt patent address flush letters with gold border and tracery

• 24k gold .22 RF in flush gold inlay gold banner

• 24k muzzle end flush inlaid wide and narrow bands with gold and platinum tracery flowing forward

• 24k gold bands, one wide and one narrow, flush inlaid on the receiver end barrel

• 24k gold frame trimmed in flush gold borders and vignettes. Vignettes have raised 24k gold dots on the ends.

• 24k gold hammer, gold sides and top are flush inlaid in decorative gold borders and vignettes

• 24k gold Kentucky Derby rose, the official flower of the Kentucky Derby, raised inlay on right side of frame in front of the cylinder

• 24k gold and platinum Churchill Downs spire, raised inlaid on left side of the frame in front of the cylinder, the official trademark of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the first race each year of horse racing’s “Triple Crown” circuit.

• 24k gold Rampant Colt trademark on frame raised gold inlay and flush 24k patent dates

• 24k gold Kentucky thoroughbred horse, the Kentucky state horse, raised inlay on recoil shield finished in Italian Bulino style detail

• 24k gold and platinum Bowie Knife on right side of frame 24k handle raised inlay and Bowie blade pure platinum raised inlay

• 24k gold and platinum Kentucky gray squirrel, raised inlay of pure platinum finished in fine line detail with 24k gold raised acorns on loading gate

• 24k gold two raised acorns with engraved oak leaf in recoil shield recess

• Six gold plated custom made .22 RF cartridges

• Trigger: front has been finished with hand cut checkering

• Cylinder is flush inlaid in one wide and one narrow gold line

• Cylinder rear line is flush engraved in “feather pattern” design

• Cylinder flutes are outlined in flush 24k gold line

• Cylinder flutes are flush scroll engraved at the front

• Cylinder front engraved in scroll pattern

• Cylinder pin is inlaid with a raised gold dot with star pattern engraving on end

• Turned boss is engraved in rope pattern

• Qualified screws

• The following screws are engraved:

o Three mainframe screws

o Butt screw

o Front trigger guard screw

o Ejector rod housing screw