Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Westmoreland County)
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    Default How to get started in collecting

    Hey im dave and im from Pittsburgh. Im new to the whole firearm scene. For about a year now ( ever since i turned 18 ) I've been interested in collecting old military firearms like M1s and civil war weapons..Anyways my question is How would I go about to do this? Would I need anything like a permit or even if, is the minimal age to own firearms 18??? I'm not looking for hunting firearms or target shooting just collecting real working firearms.

    I know this is probably a stupid question but just looking for some advise and suggestions maybe even a good shop around the Pittsburgh area that could help me out and get started
    Thanks, Dave

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Tannersville, Pennsylvania
    (Monroe County)
    Age
    56
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    Default Re: How to get started in collecting

    The 2 biggest things you need to collect the firearms you name is an 03 C&R (to cut down paperwork) and a BIG FAT wallet (self explanatory).

    If you are only looking for long guns then 18 would be the age you can start. I'm not sure if you can get the C&R at 18 because there are C&R handguns.

    Hope that helps.

    Rich W.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Elkland, Pennsylvania
    (Tioga County)
    Age
    79
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    2,561
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    3960972

    Default Re: How to get started in collecting

    Your not going to like my answer.

    Here it is anyway.

    Get books on collectable firearms, and read them. It's difficult to get colletables if you don't know what your looking for. You need to know what it is your looking at and what your looking for in what your looking at before you buy. For example A lot of early firearms had the parts stamped with the same serial number and the receiver or at least part of the serial number. If the number match or don't match can make a huge difference in the value. Some particular years and models of firearms can alter the value greatly A 98 Mauser can be anywhere from a under $100 gun to something that belongs under a glass case with a guard. Older pieces like some flintlock pistols are nice but not of much value but with the right makers mark are priceless. If you want to collect you need to know what your collecting.



    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyDave View Post
    Hey im dave and im from Pittsburgh. Im new to the whole firearm scene. For about a year now ( ever since i turned 18 ) I've been interested in collecting old military firearms like M1s and civil war weapons..Anyways my question is How would I go about to do this? Would I need anything like a permit or even if, is the minimal age to own firearms 18??? I'm not looking for hunting firearms or target shooting just collecting real working firearms.

    I know this is probably a stupid question but just looking for some advise and suggestions maybe even a good shop around the Pittsburgh area that could help me out and get started
    Thanks, Dave

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Diegolandia, Pennsylvania
    (Philadelphia County)
    Posts
    2,457
    Rep Power
    2894079

    Default Re: How to get started in collecting

    I second the motion to do research.

    Massive amounts of research.

    Then, find a particular style, or time period you like, and focus on that.
    ==============
    “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, — go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!”
    ~Samuel Adams

    "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
    ~Thomas Jefferson, 1791

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    (Erie County)
    Age
    38
    Posts
    1,468
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    30

    Default Re: How to get started in collecting

    http://www.atf.gov/dcof/index.htm

    There's the link to the ATF for forms. You do have to be 21 to get your CR as it also allows you to buy handguns.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
    Posts
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    Default Re: How to get started in collecting

    If you wanted a quick "collection" and aren't concerned about collector value, I'd say go to Dunham's and ask for one of each model on the rack. They carry a lot of surplus rifles, but many have no real collector value. Mostly shooters.
    Actually, ignore this post as I just remembered you don't seem to be interested in shooting them.
    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
    (Dauphin County)
    Age
    53
    Posts
    168
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    7267

    Cool Re: How to get started in collecting

    Yes research is great and necessary but in order to collect anything you gotta buy it....Come on get started we're all counting on you!

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