Here is a topic I have not seen covered on the S&W Forum: MINIATURE FIREARMS!
These are exact scale reproduction firearms, traditionally hand made using traditional machinist/gunsmith skills.
Historically, fabrication of a 1:2 scale miniature firearm was a Guild requirement to be awarded certification as a master gunsmith.
It is often considered that the difficulty of the work, and skill required, is exponential to the scale of reduction.
Many times, these miniature reproductions are fully functional and can be fired with specially manufactured miniature cartridges. Depending on your country of residency, these may or may not be legally classified as actual firearms.
In some countries, as the ammunition is not “commonly available”, miniature firearms can be freely purchased without restrictions. Given that they are also marvels of craftsmanship, they are thus often prized collectibles.
I first became exposed to miniature scale reproduction firearms in Canada.
As can be expected, there is a specialized niche of collectors who work in this field. The prices of these miniatures is generally commensurate with the skill level needed to produce them.
For example, a Leon Crottet miniature repro of, say, an Artillery Luger might run you about $20,000.
Here’s a video posted in Switzerland that might give you some idea of the world of miniature firearms (in spite of the language barrier).
https://youtu.be/QzGXTFgR3Q0?si=4Iwk2j9mpSo3mC1e
Here’s another video from an NRA convention:
https://youtu.be/27UVYWAoE8M?si=voB7ycre06GCP1-f
Better yet, is this video posted by Brad Simpson of Simpson Ltd. He is very knowledgeable and Simpson Ltd even offers a few Crottet repros for sale:
https://youtu.be/D1gKdjyLdrY?si=uOcepvLASdxvm7t2
Given the number of very knowledgeable collectors on this forum, I wonder if there is anyone here that can elaborate on this fascinating topic.
It can be difficult posting photo as they are meaningless unless seen in context of something to give a sense of scale. But, I added a couple that gives some idea of scale.
These are exact scale reproduction firearms, traditionally hand made using traditional machinist/gunsmith skills.
Historically, fabrication of a 1:2 scale miniature firearm was a Guild requirement to be awarded certification as a master gunsmith.
It is often considered that the difficulty of the work, and skill required, is exponential to the scale of reduction.
Many times, these miniature reproductions are fully functional and can be fired with specially manufactured miniature cartridges. Depending on your country of residency, these may or may not be legally classified as actual firearms.
In some countries, as the ammunition is not “commonly available”, miniature firearms can be freely purchased without restrictions. Given that they are also marvels of craftsmanship, they are thus often prized collectibles.
I first became exposed to miniature scale reproduction firearms in Canada.
As can be expected, there is a specialized niche of collectors who work in this field. The prices of these miniatures is generally commensurate with the skill level needed to produce them.
For example, a Leon Crottet miniature repro of, say, an Artillery Luger might run you about $20,000.
Here’s a video posted in Switzerland that might give you some idea of the world of miniature firearms (in spite of the language barrier).
https://youtu.be/QzGXTFgR3Q0?si=4Iwk2j9mpSo3mC1e
Here’s another video from an NRA convention:
https://youtu.be/27UVYWAoE8M?si=voB7ycre06GCP1-f
Better yet, is this video posted by Brad Simpson of Simpson Ltd. He is very knowledgeable and Simpson Ltd even offers a few Crottet repros for sale:
https://youtu.be/D1gKdjyLdrY?si=uOcepvLASdxvm7t2
Given the number of very knowledgeable collectors on this forum, I wonder if there is anyone here that can elaborate on this fascinating topic.
It can be difficult posting photo as they are meaningless unless seen in context of something to give a sense of scale. But, I added a couple that gives some idea of scale.
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