What exactly is a "Collector"?

[rburg]

Who knows? And who's business is it other than the collector? But I can tell you that if you think your pile of guns isn't a collection, you're probably right.

Those who feel confident on imposing rules on us to define our collections are out of line. We do as we please, its in the Constitution. There are no set rules to define it, and those who attempt to do so are usually motivated by less than honorable motives.

Way back, 40 years ago I was getting married. My mother hated guns, and she hated my dad's guns, and mine. I was moving stuff out of the basement where Dad had graciously allowed us to store things, and from my room. One evening, out came the guns. My mother real disgustedly commented about me taking my gun collection. Worse, that maybe my new wife to be wouldn't allow them. Lucky for me, my future FIL was there helping. He commented that if she didn't allow them, maybe I wouldn't allow her to stay! It really shocked my mother. FIL was an NRA instructor, and he liked guns. Wife couldn't care less. She had to move all her sewing stuff. She was busy with her own things, too busy to try to impose her views on me. Oh, we're still married.

And the huge collection consisted of the family heirloom 45-70, my 22, and my 870. I could carry all my ammo in a single wood box. Things are different these days...

My mother was disgusted, so she felt freedom to characterize my guns as a collection, as if I'd dedicated my life up to that point in getting them. The reality is I've dedicated my life since then to the pursuit. I want to call my pile of S&Ws a collection, so they are. If that's OK with you, fine.

 

[Joe in SC]

Good topic, one that I often ponder and toss around in my head.

I have thought that I am a collector. Then seeing what some members of this forum share with us I think that in the realm of gun collectors, I certainly do not qualify at that level.I suppose some museum collections are rivaled by our "top -level" collectors.

On the other hand you have to start somewhere. I know a hellofa lot of people who have, say, 10 guns or more, some new, some used, all well cared for, who consider themselves collectors. They don't participate in internet gun forums and could care less. In their mind they are gun collectors. They would probably tell me that I am trying to be elite or arrogant by dismissing them because all their guns aren't new or following a theme or overly expensive. They enjoy their guns just as much. They love to handle them, they enjoy showing them and many love to use their guns as the designer/maker intended.

I think it's just like everything else. No matter what you have in your collection there's always someone that can trump you with more guns, better and more pristine specimines and certainly rarer items. Does that make you a mere accumulator? I don't think so.

I think there is a wide range of, or many levels of gun collecting. From the guy or gal who has their grand daddy's gun or two all the way up to the world class collections of revolvers we see here.

So then, maybe you're a collector when you say you are and have a gun or two.

 

[handejector]

Entirely subjective thing.

If you think you are one, you probably are.
If you think you are not one, you probably aren't, but may well fit someone else's definition.

I have met people who proudly proclaimed to all that "I'm a gun collector!" because they bought every gun that seemed reasonably priced in every pawn shop or gun shop they could get to, often having little or no knowledge of any of their 'collection'.
Others focus on one brand or type while being extremely knowledgeable about one or more brands or types, and still don't consider themselves a collector.

Condition has little to do with being a collector, beyond seeking the best example possible among those available. If you collect Indian War guns, western lawmen SA's, Viet Nam captures, or police issued guns, you can tie up a fortune in a very impressive and historically significant collection that does not have a single high condition gun in it!

I do not even fit my own definition of 'collector'.
I have my fondnesses, and I've never met a Hand Ejector I didn't like, but focused I am not. I love them all.

I am simply an accumulector, or, if you prefer, a colleculator.

 

[29aholic]

I used to collect Colt SAA's but it got too expensive too quick. I have since overcome that addiction and dont see myself owning another one.
Obviously as my SN implies, I love the 44 magnum and have since my very first one. I have a pretty decent "collection" of them and keep adding to it. Of those, there are a few that are what I call "nice shooters" as they are somewhat less than pristine but have not been abused just show honest wear. I also have quite a bit of memorabilia on the 44.

I cant really say I am a S&W collector because I could care less about most models they make. I have no desire to own a 41 magnum even though the 57 and the 29 look identical. I would like to own a Registered Magnum but only if it had some REALLY cool provenance like being owned by a Texas Ranger or such. Something like that probably would not be pristine.
I do have several modified guns, one by me, and I love them because they are working guns modified with a specific purpose in mind.
I dont really mind refinished guns if they are done well, but wont usually buy one unless it's a model I want and cant afford an original. One of my guns, while not refinished, was sent back to the factory to have the barrel changed to a 6.5" from a 4" and is so marked and lettered.

Themes are a bitch. I onec thought of putting together a set of the K Target guns until I figured out finding a K32 that I could afford was going to be impossible and I REFUSE to give that much for a 32.
I also thought about trying to put together one of every model listed in the 1966 (my birth year) All Model Circular and shipped in 1966...impossible as there are several that had more or less been discontinued prior to that year but were still listed.
Sooner or later I will probably have all of the dash series in the 44 magnum up to a point, but will probably have to pay big bucks for a -1 unless I luck in to one.


I guess I am with Lee, I am an accumulector. I buy guns I like that I think are neat of all brands.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Dave T,

Not sure exactly why you're asking, but it's a good question. After all the answers here, some of which were very good (for me), all of which were right for those who posted them, I'm still not sure exactly who is and who isn't a collector. That's OK.

I only buy guns that I can shoot. I mean it. That said, I do appreciate new-looking guns in the S&W boxes of my youth. I have a few guns which I try to preserve as well as possible, keeping in mind that even NIB S&W guns have been fired. But I don't own a gun I won't carry and use - that's what they are for.

I have no disagreement with those who won't fire certain guns. Some day I may see their guns, a bit of history preserved. I appreciate their effort and expense, and my good fortune in benefitting from it. But I won't do it.

If we were all the same, most of us would be unnecessary.

 

[Dosgatos]

Geez, I thought I had a problem owning 14 top-breaks and about 10 hand ejectors, but after seeing Deadin's post I realize that I'm reasonably sane....

 

[dlbx2]

I'm sort of new here, but I feel that a collector looks at whatever he is collecting as a piece of art, or of history. That is what brings him joy or satisfaction. Whereas, an "accumulator" looks at his items as tools, and the exercising of the function of the item is his joy or satisfaction. Again, this is from a new guy on the block. A fifty-six year old new guy with a few guns, but new at this anyway. By the way, I sure do enjoy the photos that you guys post. Beautiful guns and excellent photography!

 

[gunslinger_h]

In my opinion, a collection of guns is two or more that make you happy. Shoot them and have fun. Hank.

 

[Dave T]

Model520Fan,

I asked because I had been thinking about it and thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss. I sure didn't mean to offend anyone. Seems I offended rburg non-the-less. I don't know what he's so ticked off about so I'm not even sure what to apologize for. Hope he has a better day tomorrow.

Dave

 

[RKmesa]

And the huge collection consisted of the family heirloom 45-70, my 22, and my 870. I could carry all my ammo in a single wood box. Things are different these days...

Dick:

I would certainly call you a collector... However, I do miss the days when you continually updated your gun count underneath your signature. Whenever my wife would complain that my collection was getting to large, I could point to your count on the forum and say "at least I'm not as bad as him" to which she would smile and say "....yet...."

 

[RABradbury]

To me a "serious" collector has a lot more money than I, but probably doesn't enjoy his "collection" any more than I do. I have the guns I have because I like them, shoot them, and enjoy shooting them either at the range, or for varmints. I gave up deer hunting - too many people out there who don't know what they are doing.
I would have to agree with the majority of the comments that say whatever you consider to be your collection is a collection - be it fancy or utilitarian.

 

[model70hunter]

Part of this is as old as the hunter gatherer. The more you had the better your chance of survival. When young I was a deadly marble player and had gallons of marbles in the barn loft. I traded extra marbles for pocket knives and old baseball cards. Both in boxes in the barn loft. dad sold the farm and did not let us know. The new owner wouldn't let my brother and I get our stuff. Later I had a great knife collection, old Winchesters, Case, Remington and others. I took a beating when I sold it to buy land. I had a mixed collection of long guns, pre-64's, Parkers, AH Fox, Westly Richards and Cogswell and Harrison plus some Brownings. I ended up selling all 1 at a time in child custody battle and divorce. Yes I got the kids and yes they wanted to be with me, that part was worthwhile. I feel I am an accumulator as much as a collector. I swore I would never have another collection. Soon I was up to 10 really nice pre 64's and lost interest. When I see an A Grade Parker I remember the one I used to own. I do not have a desire to own another. I sold 2 70's and bought Kimber 7mm08's, I sold another and bought a couple of Smiths, I sold another today and bought a couple more Smiths. I find the handguns more rewarding to own and fun to shoot. I never went out and about on the farm without a hand gun. Full Circle? I will not own a Smith "collectable rare NIB type" as I like shooters and users. I could not be trusted with a NIB safe queen. I am picking up various types of Smith's. 45 LC, 3 in 357, 44 mag, 2 22 Masterpieces. The only model I see that has the lure to make me aquire multiple variations is the pesky 27 or perhaps some day a pre 27 in 5". But now my drive is to enjoy the guns I acquire and do not feel driven to own one of each. To each his or her own. To some folks being a collector may be owning one old family gun or one may feel the need to own all S&W's made in 1955. Either is the individuals perogative. Price nor condition determines ones status if one feels they are a collector. I've accumulated 6 or 7 Smith's in the last several months. Collection? Naw, accumulating is for me, besides making an excellent trade and coming out way ahead is as much fun as running the pot and taking everyones marbles.