| Antique firearms collectors usually specialize in one | | | | also look for European firearms from important |
| or two historical eras. One of the most popular | | | | eras in European history. For example a collector |
| eras to collect firearms from is the American Civil | | | | may be interested in collecting early rifles from a |
| War. During this era there were a lot of | | | | variety of European locations so that their design |
| advancements made in gun construction. Some of | | | | differences can be examined and appreciated. |
| the items that belong to this era include cannons, | | | | They may look for English, German and Italian |
| long rifles and pistols. In addition to weapons you | | | | rifles. |
| can also find bullets, shots and cannonballs from | | | | WWI and WWII firearms collectors can be found |
| this era. | | | | on nearly every continent. The focus of each |
| Another popular era that antique firearms | | | | collection depends on the area of the wars that |
| collectors specialize in is the Old West. Popular | | | | they are interested, however, just about all World |
| items from this era include rifles and handguns, | | | | War I and World War II antique firearms are |
| especially Winchesters and Smith and Wesson | | | | prized by firearms collectors. This is because by |
| models. Weapons and ammunition tied to Old | | | | the time that the world wars developed firearms |
| West events and locations also are popular | | | | had advanced significantly. Collectors therefore |
| collector's items. For example a bullet from the | | | | have a choice between manual, semi-automatic |
| OK Corral is more valuable as a collector's item | | | | and automatic antique firearms. They also can |
| then a bullet found in the desert. | | | | collect war items like shrapnel, ration boxes, |
| In addition to American antique firearms, collectors | | | | bullets, medals, pins, buttons and mortars. |