Antique Firearms

Collecting antique firearms is not a new hobby. In fact, it is a growing trend among collectables. The term 'antique firearm' means any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) that was manufactured in or before 1898; and/or any replica of any firearm that is described in subparagraph (A)which states that if such a replica is not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or a conventional center fire fixed ammunition, or if it uses rim fire or conventional center fire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade. Antique firearms have a special significance if it is and can be proven to have played a part in history, for example, if it is the gun that was used by Pat Garrett to kill Billy the Kid. These types of antique firearms are rare and extremely hard to come by. Most of the historical firearms are already in a museum somewhere. However, if you can get your hands on one, you could be a very rich person. The gun that killed Jesse James got over 100 thousand dollars. The faking of antiques firearms is not a new phenomenon. Back in the 1800's the practice of peddling shoddy merchandise marked so well as to even fool the unwary into thinking he was purchasing a quality

gun was not unusual. You should try and witness the many 19th century single shot percussion pocket pistols marked "Deringer" or "Deringe" or some other variation of the famous Derringer name, or the European copies of S&W Model 3 Top break revolvers that even went so far as to duplicate the S&W barrel address markings. As long as there will be such money to be made for any collectible you will always have to deal with tricksters that want to rip you off. Most of the time, the tricks work. Before you buy any antique firearm, do your homework and pay attention to what you are getting. Buy form another collector and only in person. Online auctions offer too many ways to get ripped off.