Factory Letters for Collectors
What Colt, Cody, and Smith & Wesson archive letters document, how to decide whether to order one, and the limits every collector should understand.
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Browse the articles
Gun collecting is not one narrow subject. Some articles are about handguns and long guns, some are about range trips and maintenance, and others are about the business, tax, storage, and family questions that come with owning a collection over time.
This page brings those longer articles together in one place. Each card links to the original page, uses a representative image from that article, and carries the page description or a close summary of the article’s lead.
A Father’s Remington 1100 — From Spain, 1963
Gary McLain shares his father’s shotgun, a childhood skeet memory in Spain, and a lifetime of shooting left-handed.
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Belgian vs Japanese Browning A5
Compare origin markings, proof marks, serial-number formats, and collector details to distinguish Belgian FN and Japanese Miroku Auto-5 shotguns.
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The Pistol Newt Taylor Left Behind
A Camp Perry story of precision, family, and a wartime Colt M1911A1 rebuilt and individually fitted for National Match competition.
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1962 Colt Gold Cup National Match
A personal collector look at a 1962 Colt Gold Cup National Match, its target-shooting heritage, period features, Colt Archive shipment, and place in the 1911 story.
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Bill Jordan
A profile of Bill Jordan, the Border Patrolman, exhibition shooter, writer, and practical revolver man whose ideas helped shape the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Combat Magnum.
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Elmer Keith
A collector-focused profile of Elmer Keith, the rancher, gun writer, handloader, bullet designer, and driving force behind American magnum handgunning.
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Gil Hebard
A profile of Gilbert Burnside “Gil” Hebard, champion pistol shooter, mail-order handgun innovator, shooting author, and patriarch of American pistol culture.
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R. L. Wilson: Firearms Historian
A look at R. L. Wilson’s influence on firearms history, Colt scholarship, collector publishing, and the way serious collectors learned to study important guns.
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Modern Handguns
A brief overview of handgun development, from early revolvers and Colt’s Single Action Army to Browning’s semi-automatic pistols and modern polymer-framed designs.
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The Gun Blog
A personal note on redesigning the site, publishing the Gun Collectors Club by hand, and keeping the hobby alive without depending on outside advertising.
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Gun Cabinet
Organizing and cleaning a gun cabinet, with practical observations on storage, accessories, ammunition, and the satisfaction of putting the collection back in order.
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Miroku Corporation
The story of Miroku, the Japanese maker behind many Browning shotguns and Winchester rifles, and its reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
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Guns, Taxes & Terminologies
A collector’s look at the line between hobby and business, why terminology matters, and how gun collecting can raise practical tax and recordkeeping questions.
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Range Reports & Videos
Range-day notes and videos, with reminders about firearm safety, accuracy, precision, and real experiences shooting old and collectible guns.
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Pocket Pistols
A historical overview of pocket pistols and derringers, from Henry Deringer’s early work to the enduring appeal of small defensive handguns.
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U.S. Service Sidearm
A Sunday afternoon reflection on the U.S. military sidearm transition, the author’s long-standing affection for the 1911, and a second look at the SIG Sauer P320.
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Left is Right
A right-handed shooter experiments with a left-handed holster, small-of-back carry, draw position, and the practical limits of internet advice.
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The Obama Years
A personal look at the 2008–2016 gun market, rising prices, record demand, and the handful of guns added to the collection during those years.
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When the Time Comes to Downsize
A practical and personal article about downsizing a gun collection, planning ahead, and deciding what to sell, gift, keep, or leave for family.
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S&W K-22 Masterpiece Pre-17
A guide to identifying 5-screw, 4-screw, and 3-screw Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece revolvers and understanding the Pre-17 era.
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The Boom Years
A post-war look at the American gun industry from 1946 to 1964, with Baby Boom-era context, changing production, and collectible examples.
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Caring for Old Guns
Two rules for caring for old guns: use the right products and use the right methods, especially when handling delicate old finishes.
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1960 Meets 1976
A nostalgic article connecting two guns from the collection with the music, memories, and historical backdrop of 1960 and 1976.
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Colt Double Diamond .45
A collector’s look at the Colt Officers Model .45 Double Diamond, its commemorative background, and why it became a carry-worthy favorite.
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Guns from the Baby Boom Years
A Baby Boom-era collecting essay on post-war firearms, 1964 production changes, Roosevelt dimes, and the value of craftsmanship.
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Gun Stores and FFL Rules
Observations from an ATF seminar, local gun store economics, FFL rules, NICS checks, and the future of brick-and-mortar gun shops.
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Old Carry Guns
A personal answer to which old guns get carried most often, with thoughts on comfort, concealment, practice, and favorite Colt carry guns.
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1952–1960 Summer Olympics
A shooting-sports article on the 1952 and 1960 Summer Olympics, Cold War context, and the precision pistol world of that era.
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Prefer to browse by firearm category? Start with revolvers, semi-automatics, rifles, and shotguns.
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