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Firearms - Getting Started
- Thread starter cwbullet
- Start date
First Purchase
Chuck,
In my humble opinion, a firearm collector's first purchase should reflect the reasons that stimulated the person's interest in firearms to begin with. Because of the vast number, and incredible diversity, of the types of firearms used during the American Civil War, the choices and price range are varied.
Personally, my initial attraction was twofold. I shoot contemporary high power rifle and have always been fascinated by Civil War longarms. On my first visit to the Devil's Den, one of the major impressions that I had was how difficult a shot it would be to hit a target accurately at the top of Little Round Top, especially with a weapon that threw a one ounce projectile at about 850 fps. I started looking more closely at the available Springfield and contract weapons and the first time I held one in my hands I was hooked. Secondly, I have an engineering background and have always been concerned with the lessening of quality manufacturing in the United States. That first Springfield showed the quality and care of a true craftsman, attributes that are sorely lacking in many contemporary firearms. My initial impression was that more time and thought had gone into carving the stock to properly accept the lock and action than go into most complete contemporary firearms, and I was extremely proud to know that this remarkable weapon was manufactured in the good old USA.
For a beginning collector, there are many wonderful first purchases. A collection can be started inexpensively by looking into some of the more esoteric pistol manufacturers, Ethan Allen and his partners for example. Allens can be purchased for the price of some of the rarer bullets and I know collectors that have spent years finding and purchasing the numerous variations and styles of the pepperbox alone.
The one absolute truth that I learned about collecting CW firearms is DO THE HOMEWORK! Whatever you choose to be your first purchase, research the weapon and become an educated buyer. Alterations can seriously affect the value of the weapon, and therefore the collectability.
Choose a firearm style, buy the available research books and know the weapon before you buy.
Again, just a humble opinion.
TomH
Chuck,
In my humble opinion, a firearm collector's first purchase should reflect the reasons that stimulated the person's interest in firearms to begin with. Because of the vast number, and incredible diversity, of the types of firearms used during the American Civil War, the choices and price range are varied.
Personally, my initial attraction was twofold. I shoot contemporary high power rifle and have always been fascinated by Civil War longarms. On my first visit to the Devil's Den, one of the major impressions that I had was how difficult a shot it would be to hit a target accurately at the top of Little Round Top, especially with a weapon that threw a one ounce projectile at about 850 fps. I started looking more closely at the available Springfield and contract weapons and the first time I held one in my hands I was hooked. Secondly, I have an engineering background and have always been concerned with the lessening of quality manufacturing in the United States. That first Springfield showed the quality and care of a true craftsman, attributes that are sorely lacking in many contemporary firearms. My initial impression was that more time and thought had gone into carving the stock to properly accept the lock and action than go into most complete contemporary firearms, and I was extremely proud to know that this remarkable weapon was manufactured in the good old USA.
For a beginning collector, there are many wonderful first purchases. A collection can be started inexpensively by looking into some of the more esoteric pistol manufacturers, Ethan Allen and his partners for example. Allens can be purchased for the price of some of the rarer bullets and I know collectors that have spent years finding and purchasing the numerous variations and styles of the pepperbox alone.
The one absolute truth that I learned about collecting CW firearms is DO THE HOMEWORK! Whatever you choose to be your first purchase, research the weapon and become an educated buyer. Alterations can seriously affect the value of the weapon, and therefore the collectability.
Choose a firearm style, buy the available research books and know the weapon before you buy.
Again, just a humble opinion.
TomH