Protected One
Member
What distinguishes a gun "collector" from someone who is simply an enthusiast? Is it the number of guns one owns or is it which guns you have?
What makes you a "collector"?
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Caterpillars metamorphasize into butterflys when they outgrow their skin
Enthusiasts become Collectors when their accumulations outgrow their safes
Enthusiasts become Collectors when their accumulations outgrow their safes
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MCorps0311
US Veteran
I'd say which guns brand names you own as a collector.Just my opinion!!!
When I think of collectors I picture high condition 98-100% guns. I have a couple like that but mostly I own shooters in 70-90% range. I consider myself to be a accumulator and not a collector.
CBus660R
Member
I'd agree. I am definitely an accumulator.
Having a shooter grade 39-2 in the safe is a lot different than having an ANIB 39 no dash with a steel frame, the box, etc... as it came from the factory.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Well, I can only barely walk in my garage. Does that make me a collector or just disturbed?
jessebogan
Member
I am trying to "accumulate" at least one example of the WWII non automatic weapons from all participating nations. Although incomplete, I refer to my accumulation as a "collection". Assuming I live long enough, I *should* be able to complete my collection. None are perfect specimens, and all get shot at least some. Now looking for a "reasonably priced" 98K...My other guns are just "My Guns"
What is the maximum ratio of Glock's to non-Glocks for an enthusiast who wants to be considered a collector?
I think that you are a collector when you seek out individual guns with a theme in mind, as opposed to just buying whatever catches your fancy at any given moment. For instance, I am able to post this picture because I puposely sought out an 8-3/8" barrel blue revolver in each caliber that S&W offered them in:
From right to left:
M-17-4 .22LR
M-48-4 .22WMR
M-53-2 .22 Jet
M-14-4 .38 Special
M-27-2 .357 Magnum
M-29-3 .44 Magnum
M-25-9 .45 Colt
M-57-1 .41 Magnum (with scope)
Also
M-29-3 Silhouette 10-1/2"
Dan Wesson Model 15 with 15" barrel
This is just one example. As I say, I think the key to being a collector is having a theme, a common thread in mind.
From right to left:
M-17-4 .22LR
M-48-4 .22WMR
M-53-2 .22 Jet
M-14-4 .38 Special
M-27-2 .357 Magnum
M-29-3 .44 Magnum
M-25-9 .45 Colt
M-57-1 .41 Magnum (with scope)
Also
M-29-3 Silhouette 10-1/2"
Dan Wesson Model 15 with 15" barrel
This is just one example. As I say, I think the key to being a collector is having a theme, a common thread in mind.
I consider myself a 'have some'. Answered as when asked if I have guns? Yep, I have some.
And how many would be too many to qualify as 'have some'? Is there even such a thing as too many?
And how many would be too many to qualify as 'have some'? Is there even such a thing as too many?
hardcase60
Member
Whew! Lot's of good descriptions already posted about the difference between collector or accumulator. Just recently I was checking a potential acquisition and the seller referred to me as a collector. I don't view myself as such therefore he was politely informed as to his error. My accumulation is about 99% shooters which were in various degrees of decline when I adopted them. The 1% that might be considered collector items are LNIB with papers and tools. Yes, guns were made to be shot. But if a specimen has survived 40 to 60 years without that happening then I feel obligated to see that doesn't happen on my watch. Yes, when me becomes dust to dust the next caretaker might not think like I do. That's on them. My joy is finding ones I want/like, shooting them when I can, keeping them action ready and protecting how much I have invested. If a frog had wings.......... If I had deeper pockets then I might be a collector rather than what ever it is that I am. hardcase60
NAILED it!
Collectors buy collectable guns, and a lot of them look for specific ones. I've noticed that often they follow a theme - like all P&R S&W 38's, or all 44 specials, or whatever.
I'm an accumulator who looks for good values on well used (shooter grade) guns that fit into my selection of calibers - ones I reload for.
Tom K, now you need all the matching Marlin lever guns in those calibers. I used to have them all in both smiths and marlins but interests change. lee
"Hi, I'm Bob, and I'm an accumu-holic."
Let's focus on my problem. Postwar (yes, I have a nice Victory, but only one and nothing earlier). I-frames and J-frames, flat latches, .32s and .38s, the clean lines of fixed sights (with apologies to those who love kit guns, I don't care for that shark fin front sight), model numbers that start with a "3" (or their predecessors) and a particular fetish for round butts (although I have a gorgeous flat latch, diamond gripped Model 31, just like the one my Grandmother taught me to shoot when I was seven).
One is ANIB (1 of the 119 1977 Army overrun Model 36s with a lanyard ring) and another is an ANIB (minus the box) birth year 32 HE, 3¼". I'll cure that "as new" business come Spring.
Regarding the postwar 32 HEs: "the book" says "(2" also observed)." I observe it often, and it's a little cutie! My 4¼" is an early one -- service stocks and a LERK -- it's a cutie, too. The only one I can't yet confirm is the 6", but there's tomorrow.
Others that have caught my attention are postwar M&P .38s ("Special" or not). I only have two; I'm pacing myself.
You can do it. Let it out. Tell us about your addiction.
Cheers,
Bob
Let's focus on my problem. Postwar (yes, I have a nice Victory, but only one and nothing earlier). I-frames and J-frames, flat latches, .32s and .38s, the clean lines of fixed sights (with apologies to those who love kit guns, I don't care for that shark fin front sight), model numbers that start with a "3" (or their predecessors) and a particular fetish for round butts (although I have a gorgeous flat latch, diamond gripped Model 31, just like the one my Grandmother taught me to shoot when I was seven).
One is ANIB (1 of the 119 1977 Army overrun Model 36s with a lanyard ring) and another is an ANIB (minus the box) birth year 32 HE, 3¼". I'll cure that "as new" business come Spring.
Regarding the postwar 32 HEs: "the book" says "(2" also observed)." I observe it often, and it's a little cutie! My 4¼" is an early one -- service stocks and a LERK -- it's a cutie, too. The only one I can't yet confirm is the 6", but there's tomorrow.
Others that have caught my attention are postwar M&P .38s ("Special" or not). I only have two; I'm pacing myself.
You can do it. Let it out. Tell us about your addiction.
Cheers,
Bob
FifthWheel
US Veteran
One man's "collector" is another man's "hoarder"... 
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I would respectfully disagree. The condition of the guns you are able to accumulate only reflects the size of your wallet.
A random bunch of high-grade guns can be just as meaningless in terms of being a "collection" as a closet full of shooters.
On the other hand, I once knew a guy whose goal it was to collect every variation of pre-WW I "suicide special" topbreak revolver, which he scrounged up, frequently for much less than a hundred bucks, at estate sales, pawn shops, and gun shows. He could talk your ears off about all the details and obscure manufacturers. That was a true collector.
So I would distinguish the collector from the accumulator by the presence of a focus or special interest to the collection, be it a type, a brand, a specific model, or a historic time period, accompanied by the collector's desire and effort to gain specialized knowledge and expertise.
I agree. To limit the term "gun collector" solely to those folks with very deep pockets sounds a little biased to me.
On the other hand, those gun collectors who reject the term "collector" and, instead, favor the term "accumulator" seem to have a reverse sort of bias. 
You are on the right track. I personally prefer the term "theme" but "focus" is perfectly fine too.
To be a collector, at least part of what you own and seek out should have some identifiable theme or purpose or logic to it. You can also have multiple themes. Nowhere is it written that you are limited to just one. 
Have a blast! But here is where some folks make their mistake: Not every gun in your possession needs to have a theme.
Yes folks... you can still call yourself a collector (vs. an accumulator) if you have strayed outside of your main theme or focus or whatever...and bought something that doesn't fit!!! My guess is that up to 80 or 90 percent of the folks here who self-identify as "accumulators" are, in reality, gun collectors.
Perhaps they reject the term "collector" as being a bit too stuffy and limiting. To some extent, I think it's a self-effacing thing too. Lastly, at least in some cases, I see it as simply showing respect for those folks who truly are in the top echelon of high-end gun collecting. 
You're a collector of x-widget if you buy it simply to own it as opposed to buying it to use it?
