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 "The
market for collectible arms and related material continues to demonstrate
outstanding strength."
This sentence could easily have been used at any time during the past
century to describe the then-current economic health and popularity of
arms collecting. It is interesting to note that if one researches prices
back to 1890 when the collecting of arms and armor in America began to
evolve into a serious discipline, it will be found that this category has
been an excellent store of value. The trend in arms prices has continued
to stair upward - rising during prosperous periods and moving sideways as
economic downturns occur. To date, there has never been a crash or severe
bear market to take this group to new lows. This is why I personally have
always been a believer in the "Gun Stock Market" as a collector
and investor.
As we embark on the beginning of 2001, I can once again state that the
outlook for collectible arms remains robust. Present collecting trends
show that a broad interest is also developing into satellite categories
such as militaria and Western memorabilia. Our recent Norm Flayderman sale
of World War I and Vintage Aviation Material attracted worldwide interest
resulting in a resounding success for this esoteric field. Our February
2000 Arms auction of Western artifacts garnered $575,000 for a Wells Fargo
Stage Coach - a world record price for any horsedrawn vehicle sold at auction.
Currently, the arms market is especially receptive to pieces of not
only the highest quality and historical interest, but to fresh material in
general that emanates from collections, estates and private sources that
have not previously been offered. Prime examples include the previously
unknown gold-inlaid Moore revolver in our August 2000 Arms sale which
yielded the record price of $110,000 and the Dr. Samuel Jagoda Collection
of 650 arms that had remained in seclusion for over 60 years.
Our February 2001 Arms auction will continue to offer fresh material by
presenting the entire arms collection of the Portman Museum of St.
Augustine, Florida. This fascinating group comprises more than 600 finely
engraved collectible and antique sporting arms, many with rare and unique
mechanisms. The John Otteman Collection of Smith & Wesson 2nd Army
Revolvers, also in this sale, represents a 40-year collecting effort with
the majority of pieces being offered for the first time in many years.
I shall predict once again that the coming year will produce many new
exciting discoveries and collections, and that the market for collectible
arms and related material will continue to demonstrate outstanding strength.
 Decorative
replica Samurai Set with wooden scabbard.
Only USD $175.00
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Authenticating Japanese Samurai Swords