Collector or Accumulator?
- Thread starter BCDWYO
- Start date
Well, I guess I have to categorize myself as a collector of of accumulations. I have my accumulation of 1st gen SA pistols and my collection of NIB 1st gen SA pistols. Same for my acc/coll of 2nd and 3rd gen SA pistols. Then we get into the revolvers, some shooters, some new, some NIB, covering I, J, K, L and N frames. Not all conditions in all frame sizes, just a nice accumulation of what caught my eye at the time.
Then we come to the shotguns and rifles...
All I know is my insurance agent had a BIG smile on his face when I walked into his office this AM with check in hand.
Class III
Then we come to the shotguns and rifles...
All I know is my insurance agent had a BIG smile on his face when I walked into his office this AM with check in hand.
Class III
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I have a few friends (won't mention any names here - some are members of the Forum) that have simply bought guns JUST because the price was good. The gun itself was something they most likely would have passed on had the price been normal, but because they "stole it" they took it home. 95% of the time they wind up getting rid of it anyway, so those type of gun buyers are ACCUMULATORS.
To me a COLLECTOR is much more discriminating and deliberate. Most collectors I know will pay a premium for a super clean or complete gun along with the box & papers. They have the discipline and self control to walk away from a gun that just isn't exactly what they want and wait for one that is.
I consider myself a Shooter/Collector and have on occasion paid a bit too much for a pristine example of a hard to find gun. I do however shoot all my guns - after all isn't that what they are meant for?
Chief38
To me a COLLECTOR is much more discriminating and deliberate. Most collectors I know will pay a premium for a super clean or complete gun along with the box & papers. They have the discipline and self control to walk away from a gun that just isn't exactly what they want and wait for one that is.
I consider myself a Shooter/Collector and have on occasion paid a bit too much for a pristine example of a hard to find gun. I do however shoot all my guns - after all isn't that what they are meant for?
Chief38
GRIZZLYBEAR
US Veteran
I buy what I like with rhyme or reason so I guess am an accumulator.
quneur
Member
Accumulator = someone with too much money in his wallet which he should have spent on his wife.
Collector = an accumulator who tries justify his purchases to said wife.
Collector = an accumulator who tries justify his purchases to said wife.
forindooruseonly
Member
Best answer by far. The word collector has almost become a dirty word in the firearms community - all this backlash against safe-queens and pristine examples and the outrage I see from people saying guns are meant to be shot... It makes the collector sound like a soulless, abhorrent creature violating the natural order of the shooting world, someone who isn't even a shooter at all, just a "collector". As such, it seems to me that the definition of collector has narrowed and narrowed to the point of ridiculous specialization - "they collect only Triple Locks from x to y serial numbers". The term collector has become moot as people seek to avoid the label. I don't recall ten years ago there being a question over collectors/accumulators. In truth, the most fantastic collections I've ever seen were part of accumulations of other types of firearms. I've never met a serious collector who didn't have accumulations built. So, that said, who here only collects S&W revolvers in the strictest sense? I'm curious as to how many "collectors" there are...
Maybe I was just happier before the interwebz went around trying to define everyone's identity.
I have always used the term accumulator when discribing myself and my collection of firearms. While partial to S&W blue revolvers, I have more of everything else in the safe. I am trying to rectify that situation though.
I made the mistake of letting my wife see in the safe one day and she started asking a lot of questions as to where, when and how much. I'll not do that again.
I don't buy to sell or trade. I still own every firearm I ever owned. I, like others, buy what strikes my fancy and I can afford. They are all shooters by the way, regardless of condition.
LTC
I made the mistake of letting my wife see in the safe one day and she started asking a lot of questions as to where, when and how much. I'll not do that again.
I don't buy to sell or trade. I still own every firearm I ever owned. I, like others, buy what strikes my fancy and I can afford. They are all shooters by the way, regardless of condition.
LTC
A TRUE collector normally is collecting a theme or trying to complete a set.
For example my partner at work is collecting military trainers (22 cal rifles) from all over the world. (US, German, Swiss etc)
Other than that , He only ownes 4-5 other firearms.
He is a TRUE collector.
My old partner (retired now) collected 22cal target syle pistols
But only US made and ONLY US Property marked . And ONLY High STD and Colt
He ownes MANY target pistols in 22LR.
He is too , a true collector.
Some people I know ( especially Colt collectors, they are known for that) collect "condition" .
They collect guns that are not really rare, but got to be NIB with factory air trapped inside. LOL
With all the due respect I see them more like investors, not collectors.
Others I know, collect TRULLY rare guns of their choice.
Guns that are very hard to find in the first place, in ANY condition .
I accumulate guns that I carry and shoot. SOME of them might be collectible. But I am not a collector.
For example my partner at work is collecting military trainers (22 cal rifles) from all over the world. (US, German, Swiss etc)
Other than that , He only ownes 4-5 other firearms.
He is a TRUE collector.
My old partner (retired now) collected 22cal target syle pistols
But only US made and ONLY US Property marked . And ONLY High STD and Colt
He ownes MANY target pistols in 22LR.
He is too , a true collector.
Some people I know ( especially Colt collectors, they are known for that) collect "condition" .
They collect guns that are not really rare, but got to be NIB with factory air trapped inside. LOL
With all the due respect I see them more like investors, not collectors.
Others I know, collect TRULLY rare guns of their choice.
Guns that are very hard to find in the first place, in ANY condition .
I accumulate guns that I carry and shoot. SOME of them might be collectible. But I am not a collector.
As everybody states, what you are is whatever you think you are, and everybody has their own definition.
For me, a collector is someone who puts time and resources into researching and buying a specific type or types. Look at the vast knowledge available from some of the folks on this forum who can elucidate variations, factory information from the time frame of the guns they collect, and knowledge of ephemera such as proper boxes and other stuff that comes with their guns. And it's not information they got from some guy off of a website - they've put the time in researching old documents, going to collector shows, and discussing with other collectors.
They also put in an investment in money to buy and store the items, no small issue.
I'm glad they're willing to share the information with people like myself who just like guns.
For me, a collector is someone who puts time and resources into researching and buying a specific type or types. Look at the vast knowledge available from some of the folks on this forum who can elucidate variations, factory information from the time frame of the guns they collect, and knowledge of ephemera such as proper boxes and other stuff that comes with their guns. And it's not information they got from some guy off of a website - they've put the time in researching old documents, going to collector shows, and discussing with other collectors.
They also put in an investment in money to buy and store the items, no small issue.
I'm glad they're willing to share the information with people like myself who just like guns.
"For me, a collector is someone who puts time and resources into researching and buying a specific type or types. Look at the vast knowledge available from some of the folks on this forum who can elucidate variations, factory information from the time frame of the guns they collect, and knowledge of ephemera such as proper boxes and other stuff that comes with their guns. And it's not information they got from some guy off of a website - they've put the time in researching old documents, going to collector shows, and discussing with other collectors."
This is what I think of when someone says "collector," with the additional characterisitic of investing a sunstantial amount of money, often with a view to turning a long-term profit or passing along the collection as part of an estate. Guys like me are just gun guys, buying stuff that looks fun to shoot. Of course, among certian members of the media, any of us with more than one gun and 50 rounds of ammo is "building an arsenal."
This is what I think of when someone says "collector," with the additional characterisitic of investing a sunstantial amount of money, often with a view to turning a long-term profit or passing along the collection as part of an estate. Guys like me are just gun guys, buying stuff that looks fun to shoot. Of course, among certian members of the media, any of us with more than one gun and 50 rounds of ammo is "building an arsenal."
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
What everyone does is right for them and whatever floats your boat. The hugest factor even above knowledge is money or lack of it.
If you are educated in different type guns and era,s you might even make money to update your collections. I happen to like old western guns, plus I think I have pretty good knowledge of what I call classic smiths, colts and winchesters. The more you know about other guns the better your chances of spotting sleepers and underpriced guns that you can turn over to improve your collection. Some few lucky people with deep pockets can be more selective. But then too, I would think a rich man wouldnt get as big of a thrill out of buying any gun as much as most other scroungers as if you have a mountain of money behind you, you can even hire buyers. Whats the thrill in that?
Once I was in mexico and a old apache-mexican man had to show me a beat up single shot cheap generic shotgun. I swear he was more proud of that gun than many of us would be with finding a cheap volcanic or colt walker!
If you are educated in different type guns and era,s you might even make money to update your collections. I happen to like old western guns, plus I think I have pretty good knowledge of what I call classic smiths, colts and winchesters. The more you know about other guns the better your chances of spotting sleepers and underpriced guns that you can turn over to improve your collection. Some few lucky people with deep pockets can be more selective. But then too, I would think a rich man wouldnt get as big of a thrill out of buying any gun as much as most other scroungers as if you have a mountain of money behind you, you can even hire buyers. Whats the thrill in that?
Once I was in mexico and a old apache-mexican man had to show me a beat up single shot cheap generic shotgun. I swear he was more proud of that gun than many of us would be with finding a cheap volcanic or colt walker!
rburg
Member
I collect my guns. I accumulate ammo. I don't really care what anyone feels about it. On the other hand, my wife knows what to do when I croak. She'll turn the guns over to DC and my sons will truck the ammo away without saying a word. No one in their right mind would pay for ammo. I did, but then I've never been accused of being in my right mind.
I collect dust and I am very, very good at it. Quite a bit of it is early vintage.
dereksfl
Member
Collector
Accumulator
They need a third category for some of us
Hoarder!
Accumulator
They need a third category for some of us
Hoarder!
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Well I can't say that we wear white gloves when I show someone my guns...... I simply wipe them all down with an oil rag after my guests have gone home.
Actually, this works very well for me because I get to inspect and wipe down some of my guns that haven't been used for a while. I'll usually pull an oily patch through the barrel & cylinders while I am at it. This way even guns that have been idle for a while get lubed and coated with rust preventative.
Chief38
Actually, this works very well for me because I get to inspect and wipe down some of my guns that haven't been used for a while. I'll usually pull an oily patch through the barrel & cylinders while I am at it. This way even guns that have been idle for a while get lubed and coated with rust preventative.
Chief38
retarmyaviator
US Veteran
For some context to the post that started this thread, this link will take you to the original thread commented on -
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...261941-would-like-advice-collecting-guns.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...261941-would-like-advice-collecting-guns.html
jwh32
Member
an accumulator is only 50% nuts, a "collector" is certified card-carrying 100%. IMHO.
john
john
Duke426
Member
Joe Montana = Collector of championships
Brett Favre = Accumulator of meaningless statistics
I'd rather be a collector than an accumulator...
Brett Favre = Accumulator of meaningless statistics
I'd rather be a collector than an accumulator...
If an accumulator manages to accumulate the accepted market holy grails they are considered a collector at some point. I always felt an accumulator dealt in the easily attained guns. Not all M66's are collectible to me. But a collection of the more odd and rare variants would make you a collector (or an oddball). My stepfather bought anything that caught his eye, but he had a good eye. Years later a lot of these guns became desireable, and he became a collector. He did not set out to collect. We did buy guns in boxes we did not open and fire, but it was not done because we thought they would go up in value, we just didn't get to them.
sqhead
US Veteran
if i can just throw out some numbers at you,43,617,19,34,etc and you know what i'm talking about,then your probably a smith collecter.I collect/accumulate smith 22's,that's where my interest's took me...you name it ,i have it,sometimes 2 or 3...i feel they should be like new,boxed,papers p&r,etc,but if rare or cool,then not required.......i have alot of others,some will never leave,and some will have too in order to maybe get the one's i am looking for...........that's how i roll.Now i like 32 cal. so i think i'm in trouble.if i have to give up a 617 ,8 incher to get a 631...it would be painfull , buttttt,lol signed smith collecter/nutt where do you get white gloves?
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