Norm Flayderman

There comes a time in every collector’s life when he has to sell a gun or guns, or just try his hand at turning a profit. No matter how great the protestation everybody meets the situation face to face at one time or another.

We have recently witnessed a significant change in the influence of the gun auction market and the firms that participate in it. Certainly, the most obvious indicator has been the many record-breaking prices achieved by a wide variety of models and types of antique American firearms, their levels of quality and/or rarity.

Surrounded as we are with thieves, scoundrels, rogues, knaves, scalawags, prowlers and the light-fingered in this modern civilized era, the collector would do well to take safeguards to protect his valuable guns.

The reasons for collecting antique firearms are endless, but certain ones are basic. Although the investment angle must play a role, it should be but part and parcel of stronger motivations which tie the collecting activities to some personal preference that has captured the imagination and curiosity of the prospective collector.