I want to be a "collector," but.....

[Redcoat3340]

I'd like to think of myself as a collector. Finns and Mausers and Enfields in long guns; older Berettas, S&W, Star in pistols. Plus some others. Plus some plastic guns as well.

But, and there's two buts, 1) I can't really afford complete collections or prize specimens and 2) I got nobody to show it off to. And that's the real problem.

For instance, I decided I could afford some limited runs of pistols...like a P38/P1, Beretta 1951, 92S and 92FS to show the evolution of Beretta's best known pistol. Or one of each generation of S&W 39s and 59s. Not in pristine shape, but in decent shape and very good shooters. I did the same with Stars...from the B to the UltraStar.

I really like what I have and I shoot 'em as much as possible.

But here's my frustration: there's no way to display or show off my "collection" or accumulation, depending on how you define those words.

In today's world, having them in the house, in a show case or hanging on the wall like in the old days, with maybe some other artifacts from the time periods, is out of the question. They are in the safe, locked away and I really don't even talk about them too much unless its with other gun people.

There's a lot of history in a P14 Enfield, or Finn M30 or 1916 Mauser. But it doesn't seem prudent to share that history, and the opportunity to share it seems no longer available.

I used to "teach" the American War of Independence in local schools as my wife and I both reenacted the Revolution for about 10 years. I'd take my whole kit into the class and the kids could see what it was like to be a soldier of the King or rebel circa 1778. Not any more. The idea of bringing a Brown Bess into a school, or a bayonet, hanger, naval boarding ax, sailor's pike or even a folding soldier's knife died. And so now the kids just get to read a book or watch an excerpt from "The Patriot" (a terrible and really incorrect depiction of the AWI.)

Anyone else share my frustration. Not with not being rich enough to buy first model single action Colts (I don't do Colts) or Singer 1911's, but with not being able to share the hobby. Or is this just my problem and others have figured out a way to display?

 

[Leadhead]

At least you can share your collection on line with other gun enthusiasts.
Is that a Finnish Lahti or Swedish? I missed out on a nice Swede a couple years ago at a great price.
The 1951 is nice as well, I don't have an Italian version but I did mange to pick up the Iraqi made Tariq a few years ago.
Times are changing but here in Canada there seems to be a growing interest in guns and shooting by the younger generation which is a nice change.

 

[AZAndy]

That's what The High Road needs-- a "collector's corner" sub-forum. I've seen some amazing pieces here, scattered about, over the years. In the meantime, I'll gladly appreciate any and all photos you care to share.

 

[bannockburn]

Redcoat3340

That's what being here on THR, as well as other online gun forums, is all about. It makes it possible for you to share your collection and experiences with other gun enthusiasts without the inherent risk of the wrong people finding out you have guns in your house.

It also can introduce you to another hobby: namely photography. Instead of displaying your guns in some sort of display or hanging on some wall in your family room you now have another means by which you can show them to others. I have several decent digital cameras and started by taking photos of my guns for insurance purposes. Then when I began posting on various websites I decided to get a little more creative with my photographic efforts. That way I can share my collection with others and at the same time learn a great deal more from fellow members here on THR.

 

[M-Cameron]

1) your house, your rules......if you want to display your guns openly in your house, there are ways to do so, and still keep them secured.

2) you should be collecting for your own enjoyment, not for the enjoyment of others........if collecting guns makes you happy, do it, and dont worry about having no one to show them to.....

3) you budget your collection the same way you budget everything else........set aside a few $$ every month dedicated to your collection.

no one just goes out and buys all of their guns at once.....collections take time.

 

[Krogen]

How about a display table at one of the WAC gunshows? You're sure to find a gaggle of like-minded folks. You'll probably spend an entire weekend talking about your collection. Or you may wind up doing some "horse trading." As a member you get one free table per year. The current newsletter stated that table fees are being reduced for a while.

 

[joem1945]

IMHO there is no good way to display a collection. The scum buckets will do a smash and grab. As with any collection it takes time to find the right fit to your collecting venue.

 

[fireman 9731]

Online sharing is a good option. But what it really comes down to is if you enjoy your collection just knowing you have them, or wanting to look at them on display all the time.

Most people collect because they enjoy it, not to just show them off to other people.

 

[tark]

I feel the same way, which is why I posted a pic of "my junk pile" in this threadline. You'll never find a better bunch of friends to show your guns to, than the people on this forum.

 

[Old Dog]

Redcoat3340, I do share your frustration a bit ... Having grown up in the era where a man's guns hung on the wall over the fireplace or were featured in a glass-doored oak cabinet in the living room, I always found it fascinating as a kid to see what interests others had -- possibly the kindling of my interest in firearms. No man-caves, back then (well, maybe the garage or the basement).

I second Krogen's suggestion about a display table at the monthly WAC shows -- Monroe or Puyallup (the larger show). Members get one free table annually, too. Lots of history buffs displaying wartime guns, guy named John has an awesome collection of 1911s, Ruger aficionados aplenty ... Great conversations. Gun shows can be about showing, not just finding deals.

 

[huntsman]

Having grown up in the era where a man's guns hung on the wall over the fireplace or were featured in a glass-doored oak cabinet in the living room,

The thing I struggle with is the risk really greater or are we just more paranoid?

I knew a guy who spent big bucks for a secure gun room and he got burgled and I know guys who still hang guns on the wall or keep them behind the door and have never lost anything.

 

[UpperAtmosphere]

How much did the guy with the safe room brag about it?

Loose lips sink ships.

I know there's always the chance of a random break-in, but if they came prepared, it wasn't random.

 

[huntsman]

Well it was my understanding the crew who broke in were experienced enough to get into his gun room but the house was targeted because it was a "nice" looking house back away from the road and partly shielded by trees.

A few of us (gun guys) knew about the room but had never seen it and the vault door was hidden in what looked to be a basement closet.

 

[patmccoy]

How about having a "show and tell" at your local gun club after each meeting. Vary the types of firearms to keep folks interested.

 

[Twiki357]

I share your pain. I collect (accumulate, if you prefer) pre 1990 Smith & Wesson revolvers and would love to be able to show them off. They are not the prime, unfired, still in the box stuff that I can’t afford, just nice shooters. I would love to put some of then into a shadow box on the living room wall, but it’s just not worth the risk.

 

[evan price]

I collect, but not good stuff. I don't want NIB safe queens. I want to shoot mine. I want mechanically right, good bore, no major damage, but finish-worn, carried & shot working guns. I look for deals. For example, I can get as many decent, shooter-grade pre-ww2 Smith & Wesson 38 Military & Police revolvers I want for $400. I'm looking for that gun for $240. They are out there. I can wait.

 

[Ignition Override]

Redcoat3340:
Do you belong to a private or public shooting club?

If so, you might bump into somebody who, after a while you might be able to trust with some info.

 

[FROGO207]

I will take a good weekend now and again to take whatever strikes my fancy and some ammo to shoot in it to the range with the thought in mind of letting the others there get a chance to shoot it as well. The word gets around and some members show up and bring friends at the same time hoping I will bring something fun and interesting. I get to show off my stuff and keep members/interested folks coming to the range lots of weekends. I also reload so that adds to the "show and tell" aspect. Not all my toys are for shooting/wearing out but I rarely buy something that I will not use and let others try as well. A small black powder cannon is always a big hit.

 

[pcgunner]

I feel your pain, I am building a few cases to display some of my guns in my reloading room - which very few people ever get to see.

Redcoat3340:
Do you belong to a private or public shooting club?

If so, you might bump into somebody who, after a while you might be able to trust with some info.

+1 this

If you don't belong to a club - what about starting one? I'm thinking of doing similar. There aren't any real gun clubs in my area, so I've been going to the range, striking up conversations with other shooters - some are really nice and interesting others... Not so much LOL

But hey, I met a guy the other week at the range who had an entire set of cap and powder old navy/army pistols - they were really cool to look at - I've always wanted one or two but could never afford them.

We got to talk, I got to hold but not shoot a few of them we've exchanged numbers to hopefully go shooting together sometime and now he's on my list for the club as the "Collector"

You never knoiw

 

[Manny]

In this age of the internet a little talent with a camera and some interesting photo composition & settings and you could have a terrific virtual display. I've seen some terrific work here and on another favored forum there is a gent who excels at taking an ordinary gun, flaws & all and composing a very interesting & appealing presentation. Add some well done captioning and it'd be a winner. Kinda like the shots you see gun magazines. Or you could youtube a presentation and do it that way with narration.

 

[Ignition Override]

A neighbor we sometimes join at a restaurant showed me his 80 or so muskets, dating back to about 1776.

It's ironic that this guy doesn't even belong to MSSA or any other shooting club etc.

 

[HGM22]

There are a number of people online who have nice collections and are known among the online gun community for those collections. Guys like SaxonPig (does he still post here?) and 1957Shep on Youtube come to mind.

 

[dgarvin1]

My collection is for me to enjoy, you don't need an audience to be a collector

 

[Ryanxia]

Rotate them for range trips. Bring 1 or 2 different ones each time for people to check out.

I don't bother hiding mine locked away, when people come over they can see a lot of them. I don't invite people over I don't trust or that haven't brought me to their homes to do the same. For those of us gun guys who do probably a background check every month, none of us are stupid enough to throw that all away to try to steal a handful of guns, especially from a friend, especially when your changes are quite high of getting shot or at least recorded.

 

[Branko_D]

I think we're just succumbing to mass paranoia. The sky won't fall if you display a few nice guns in glass cases around the house.