Collector or Accumulator?

BCDWYO

BCDWYO

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Reading another thread I saw a comment that made me wonder, what is the defining difference between these two terms? The post said something to the effect that if you do not concentrate on a specific era or type of firearm to focus your collection, you are an "just" an accumulator and not a collector. Seems like kind of a vague distinction to me. I personally have various frame sizes, various eras (though mostly 60s-80s), various calibers, and various levels of condition (though mostly in the 95%, "nice shooter" range). And with one exception (my Model 520 NYSP) I've shot every piece in my accumulation.

So does this mean I'm not a collector? Obviously I don't really care how others might define me, but I'm interested in what you all consider to be the essential difference between a "collector" and an "accumulator".
Brad
 
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I've seen this topic a few times since I joined the forum. If memory serves me my view is normally in the minority. Like you I don't lay awake at night due to how others would label or define me but ,to be honest, I think it's presumptuous for someone else to define my hobby.
In my mind I am a collector. Small scale to be sure, but still a collector. I like S&W revolvers, I seek to buy those I like, and I keep those I buy. I tell people I collect S&W revolvers, I am a member of the S&W Collectors Assn., I spend time on the S&W Forum, etc. My accumalation of S&W's may not be highly defined or refined but neither am I. I prefer (usually) K and N frames but there is nothing to say an I, J, or L frame won't someday strike my fancy and end up in my "collection".
I'm a collector but others may see it otherwise.
 
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I'm in the same boat. There are just so many S&Ws that have been made for so long, that I've never been able to just focus on one model or variation. I try to gain knowledge as much as I can, so maybe someday I'll know enough to focus in on just one type of gun. Probably would be an N frame....but there are some sweet old Ks.....then those old I frames really tickle my.........heck, just forget it. I'll just buy whatever strikes me just right.

Wait, I got it. Since I'm not into the break open models, or the autos, I'm a Hand Ejectollector!
 
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So many great guns.
So little time to find and enjoy them.
 
I am an accumulator. In my mind a collector will focus on XXX - brand, caliber, style, model, etc, etc, etc.

I enjoy quality firearms, regardless of brand, caliber, style, model, etc, etc, etc.

The key element is does the gun call my name? If not, I will find the one that does.

As was stated earlier, the definition is truly moot, if an individual sees themself as a collector, I will not disagree.

It is not an important issue compared to the true issue that requires intense discussion - say like charcoal vs. gas.
 
To me it is really simple. If you are into only one type of gun, you're a collector of that type of gun. For instance, if you buy only K-22s, you're a K-22 collector. If you buy only revolvers, you're a revolver collector and if you buy a wide variety of guns, you are a gun collector. All collectors are accumulators.
 
Couldnt you just be a Firearms Collector? You collect guns! Not caliber or type...just guns! Thats me :)

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DGT said:
To me it is really simple. If you are into only one type of gun, you're a collector of that type of gun. For instance, if you buy only K-22s, you're a K-22 collector. If you buy only revolvers, you're a revolver collector and if you buy a wide variety of guns, you are a gun collector. All collectors are accumulators.
Click to expand...

I think that is a good answer DGT...So I'm a collector of a wide variety of S&W revolvers....and boy they DO accumulate!
 
I've accumulated a collection. Other than being mostly S&W revolvers, it's a nonspecific, very eclectic collection of hand ejectors and break top guns. I have an S&W made in every decade from 1880 to 1990 with the possible exception of the 1930s. It just happened that way. DA, Safety Hammerless, Perfected... 3, 4, and 5 screws in I, J , K and N frames and in all different calibers... I like the different mechanics of them all. Would really love to have a Triple Lock in 44 Special. That's one of the great things about collecting, you can accumulate anything your heart desires, so long as your wallet can bear it!
John
 
I must be an accumulator with group tendancies.

Someone tell me if that doesn't makes sense. If no one else understands then I need to start my meds again.
 
According to my wife, I do not fall into either category.

She just calls me a dang pack rat, some other names also not suitable to print.
 
I don't "collect" any specific calibre, type or brand (although I am partial to S&W).

I don't "collect" rifles.

I have everything from a S&W 1911 E to a couple of Savage 1907's, an 1895 Nagant revolver and a TT-33 semi-auto, among others.

I buy what strikes me and keep what I like. I thoroughly enjoy learning the history behind the gun.

But, according to the state of Maryland, at least, that makes me a collector. It even said so on the letter I got for my "Collector's License" :D

So, I guess that settles that :rolleyes:
 
Do you pass out white gloves? = A discriminateing collector.
Do you buy guns with extra holes a few rust spots and pits? = A redneck accumilator.
I never considered what I was. I just bought what turned me on if it was cheap enough and I had the money.
 
I thought I was a collector

because I thought I knew all about what I was collecting... Sigh, I have found so many holes in my "knowledge base" (it looks worse than Swiss Cheese) by just hanging around here and reading posts that I KNOW I am an Accumulator but maybe some day I will know enough to be a Collector.
 
I am in the process of accumulating my collection,whatever I see and like I buy and add it to my accumulation to build my collection.
 
If you have ever owned or considered owning a Hi-Point or Saturday Night Special....
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
To me it is really simple. If you are into only one type of gun, you're a collector of that type of gun. For instance, if you buy only K-22s, you're a K-22 collector. If you buy only revolvers, you're a revolver collector and if you buy a wide variety of guns, you are a gun collector. All collectors are accumulators.
Click to expand...

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
 
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.
 
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."

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."
 
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