Historic Arms

An old revolver without its story is just an old revolver. Many listings say nothing about when a piece was made, who used it or which markings place it in history, and that missing context is exactly what gives historic arms their value. Wild West Treasures buys every piece in person at arms fairs in the United States and Europe, and describes the period, maker and markings of each one.

Historic arms by period

Historic arms tell the story of the 19th century in steel and wood, from the first percussion revolvers to the cartridge guns of the frontier. Each maker in the catalogue left its mark on a different chapter:

• Pre-war Allen & Wheelock revolvers, percussion and lipfire designs from before the Civil War
• 19th-century Colt revolvers, from the percussion Navy to the Single Action Army of the 1870s
• Early Smith & Wesson cartridge revolvers, the pioneers of the cartridge era in America
• Sharps cavalry carbines and rifles, used in the Civil War and later by buffalo hunters
• 1860s and 1870s Remington revolvers, the solid-frame rivals of Colt in that era

The Smith & Wesson collection shows how one company shaped the move from percussion to cartridge, while a Hopkins and Allen revolver reflects the affordable pocket guns of the decades after the war. Europe wrote its own chapter, best seen in the pinfire revolvers for sale made in France and Liège. Together, these historic arms are gathered in the complete catalogue of antique arms.

Why provenance matters for historic arms

With historic arms, the markings often say more than the overall condition. US inspector stamps, contract markings for armies such as those of Russia or the US, proof marks from Liège or London and engraved names or units can link a piece to a specific period, user or event. A documented history makes historic arms considerably more interesting to collectors, and well-researched pieces tend to hold their value best. Dating also determines legal status, and the antique arms dealer overview explains how antique status is defined in different countries.

Find out where your next piece comes from

Focusing on a single period or tracing the development of firearms across the century both start with knowing where each piece comes from. That is why every enquiry receives a personal reply on markings, background and availability, without obligation. New pieces join the range of arms and artefacts from the 19th century after every fair, so contact us whenever one catches your interest.