The Hunt for Old Guns: Who Collects Old Guns and Why?

In our “The Hunt for Old Guns” series, we look at 19th century American firearms – the rare, the unusual, and the iconic. In this episode, we’ll talk about who collects old guns, what they collect, and why.

Antique American firearms are defined under current federal law as those manufactured before January 1, 1899. A lot of collectors draw the line at that date and for good reason. The date draws a sharp line between antique and modern guns.

It establishes a benchmark for the era at the end of the 19th century, when warfare began changing dramatically. Guns made before that date don’t normally require a federal firearms license to purchase – which makes them easier to transfer, ship, and transport.