What's an accumulator vs. a collector?

[glowe]

Not to spoil a pointless thread, but accumulator isn‘t a customary term in English and this is an artificial dichotomy . . .

Must be a official term since it is in the Google Dictionary:

ac·cu·mu·la·tor
/əˈkyo͞oməˌlādər/
noun
noun: accumulator; plural noun: accumulators
1. a person or thing that accumulates something.
"he's a voracious accumulator of economic facts and data"

An accumulator does not mind shooting his guns recognizing that is what they were made for. A collector rarely shoots his guns . . . Accumulators have more fun and collectors heirs sell or shoot his guns...

I am a collector and specialize in Pre-WWII K frames. I shoot all my collection, even my accumulation of Tip-Ups. A good case in point are the last two S&Ws I have purchased. First was a Model 1899, US Army one of one-thousand 38 Long Colt revolver. To date, I have shot two boxes of ammo through it, but I would definitely call this example as part of my collection. Will I shoot it more, for sure.

I also just added a gun to my accumulation, a Post-WWII K38 Combat Masterpiece. Will I shoot the heck out of it? Absolutely, but other than a more pronounced turn-line it will always look near new. Big difference between the two has nothing to do with shooting them, it has to do with the fact that I do not concentrate on post WWII guns but this one peaked my curiosity about how accurate the are, so does not fit my definition of a collection example. Now as for people who concentrate on Masterpiece revolvers, this one would be a great addition to any of those collections.

 

[Kurusu]

Well, there is a line to cross.

But as Jake Spoon said:

"I never seen no line, Gus"

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A Collector is somewhat organized, oriented and generally well informed on the items of interest.
Accumulators tend to strash around and move in different directions and purchase seemingly random items without warning or obvious rationale.
That’s why I’m a Gun Collector but a Knife Accumulator.

 

[Old Corp]

From many years of observation and many hours behind a gun counter, can attest that it's much easier to be a true 'collector' if you have no budget constraints. As in ~none~. Determining factor of 'I want this, check yes or no'.
I've seen it many times. It helps. A lot.

 

[JP@AK]

But as Jake Spoon said:

"I never seen no line, Gus"

Boy! I hope the analogy stops there! Jake was about to be hung for being mixed up with horse thieves and murderers of innocent people.

 

[daddio202]

By my way of thinking- if you call yourself a collector then you better have some real doozies in your collection. I call myself an accumulator because I shoot all my guns and none are over $5000 in cost. When your start spending more than $5000 on a single gun- you are a collector.

 

[Muley Gil]

"For instance, I seek out P&R..."

Why limit yourself to Magnums and rimfires?

 

[gmborkovic]

If you are an investor/collector, hold on for the long run. You just can not call a broker and liquidate for a profit. Lots of fees in that path.
just buy what you like and can afford. Oh, and shoot it.

 

[deadin]

Taking the definitions from above, when I look in my safe it appears that I have accumulated a collection of several diverse collections.
(Or have I accumulated them???)

 

[larryofcc]

I have around 180 guns of all types, so I must be a collector/accumulator. I specialize in lever Winchesters, 22 Winchesters, and a bunch of S&W's. Oh yeah, I also have Colts, High Standards, Rugers, Springfields, ETC,ETC, I have never collected to make a profit, although I have done quite well over the years. I learned my trade well, never bought junk guns, or the excuse types. I bought what I could afford. Still do.
I do not shoot my high $$ collectibles. I Ren wax them and put them in the safe. I am 76 years old and already have my guns doled out in a Living Trust.
Like some, I buy what I like. I have many shooters and tons of ammo. I like shooting my 22's best. Big Larry

 

[lamarw]

This is my opinion and is based upon personal observations of those into antique clocks and watches for many years and more recently those of us into firearms.

The collector is cold, calculating and rationally based decision making in what they acquire.

The accumulator, your truly included, is one who goes forth with emotions and personal self satisfaction gathering.

 

[DWalt]

By my definition, a collector has a specific theme to the items he collects (not necessarily just guns). For example, collecting all styles and calibers of Winchester Model 70 rifles. An accumulator, by contrast, doesn't necessarily have a particular theme, he just buys whatever strikes him as being interesting regardless. Many years ago I was the former (specifically US-made .32 and .380 pocket pistols and late 19th-early 20th century US-made regulator wall clocks - Ansonia, Gilbert, Ingraham, Seth Thomas, etc.), but have been for a long time much more the latter. I have some of about everything.

 

[GypsmJim]

See post #24. That is the correct answer.

 

[Green Frog]

I started referring to myself as an accumulator many years ago specifically because I don’t have a single thrust or theme to the guns I obtain, except that they strike my fancy and I want them. Sometimes this leads to gathering up groups of guns that share some characteristic that attracts my attention, such as snub-nosed I-frames,but then I add a Baby Chief, so is this collecting or accumulating? I maintain it’s the latter. So I boldly embrace my accumulator status... that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Froggie

 

[tenntex32]

By my way of thinking- if you call yourself a collector then you better have some real doozies in your collection. I call myself an accumulator because I shoot all my guns and none are over $5000 in cost. When your start spending more than $5000 on a single gun- you are a collector.

I used to think I accumulated some things and collected others. If $5000 is the line in the sand for collecting then I've been wrong all along! (Waaaaaay wrong.)

Dale

 

[DWalt]

"Like some, I buy what I like. I have many shooters and tons of ammo. I like shooting my 22's best."

So do I. As time marches on, I find myself shooting my .22 rifles and handguns more and more. Less noise, less recoil, less weight, and I don't have to reload for them.

 

[Jack Flash]

I always thought a collector buys the highest grade specimens he can find in a narrowly focused area. That is, he is focused and disciplined. He is looking only for those pieces that fit his collection. A true collector with limited financial resources must be a very frustrated individual.

Whereas an accumulator is a more happy go lucky type. Today he sees a 1930s Brazilian Contract M1917 in good working order (albeit somewhat the worse for wear) and he buys it because he likes it. Next month, he sees a 1970s P&R M28-2, also a little beat up but that shoots just fine so he buys that too. He buys what he likes and likes what he buys.

I don't know if one is superior to the other. I hope they are both happy in their own way.

 

[Laketime]

I don't think it's that cut and dry of a topic.For what it's worth here's my observation .I keep hearing the term profit and investment on the collectors side.In the Art or Vase world that would be broker not a collector. Same applies to Swiss watches.Many people collect the latter three items when they are a new item to the market and care for them almost aging themfor decades.For the one that collects paintings he would have to also have the tripod that was used , the covering he received when he bought it on every painting to be considered a serious collector by Gun standards.A lot of members are reluctant to say they own a collection of guns because it might offend a serious collector?? I know of one past member here that started buying his first ever revolvers. He bought droves of Smith & Wesson with part of his retirement plan.He bought nice complete packages for top dollars at the auctions.Would he be more a collector then some of the older guys here who have cared for and shot such fine weapons that I see posted here.

 

[deadin]

Well, if a "collection" has to have a theme, my "theme" is that my collection has to be older than I am.
(This allows me to accumulate all sorts of stuff...)

 

[Wee Hooker]

A Collector is someone who collects (guns) with purpose towards a goal and within guidelines of where they want their collection to go. An Accumulator is someone who accumulates guns but has little guidelines, purpose or goals. I used to be an Accumulator, then I evolved to be a Collector , now I'm an Accumulator of Collections........ I think... Wait, maybe a Collector of Accumulations....