Major Collections
 

Here�´s wishing Ralph the best of health and a longer life than all of us. But it really would interest me what happens to major collections when the collector has passed on? It would be a tragedy if a lifetime�´s work were dispersed on the market. Has this ever happened? Patrick

Re: Major Collections
 

One big Mauser rifle collection will soon end up in the Swedish army museum, wich is a scandal as every gun they have is looked away in the basement where noone can see them.


Regards HÃ?Â¥kan





http://www.vapensmedjan.com

Re: Major Collections
 

Most major collections are auctioned. This usually results in more money for the owner of the collection, and also relieves the owner of the task of selling the collection a gun at the time. Very few people would want the responsibility of having to dispose of a large collection a piece at a time, and an auction gives everyone a chance to purchase that weapon he just can't live without.

It sounds nice to go the museum route, but as noted by Hakan the pieces more than likely will end up locked away where no one can see them. Several years ago I was in Richmond, Virginia and dropped by the Museum of the Confederacy. I knew that they had one of only 4 or 5 known Arkansas belt plates from the Civil War. As this is a $10,000 dollar belt buckle I wanted to at least see one. When I inquired about it's location in the museum I was told that it was lock away in their vault.

Re: Major Collections
 

The real purpuse of a collection is to have a whole range of items that belong together. Selling the collection would destroy a life�´s work. On the other hand, the German National Collection of Arms (the "Zeughaus" in Berlin) is in the process of being rebuilt. When it opens some time next year, it will be reformed, PC and no longer mainly a collection of arms. I�´d like to know where all their Lugers have gone - but they�´re not telling. Patrick

Re: Major Collections
 

I talked to Ralphs wonderful wife about this. I do not know the specifics of their plans but she said that they do have plans made up of the disposition on Ralphs collection upon his passing. I know that the NRA is trying to hit on Ralph for a contribution of a weapon of some significance. The NRA's display at the Ohio Gun Collectors Association (OGCA) is usually one of the poorest at that show. That makes the NRA stand out since some of the other guys displays are really, really great. Some guys really go out of their way to have great displays at that show. Another guy who I think has a good collection would be Doug Smith of F.G.S. who has been at it for a long time. His son Joe does not seem to have and interest in continuing the collection. I do not know the rest of the sons to say anything. I have talked to Simpsons wife on the phone and she seems to be intelligent and very nice. But he seems to be a lot younger and I do not know if he is a collector or just a marketer.


The problem with gun collecting seems to be that its difficult to have an open display of your pride and joys. Ralph is an exception. I sincerely hope that I someday can actually see Ralphs display room with my very own eyes. Sometimes I wish that he would have stayed in Michigan. I live only about a mile from where he used to live.

Re: Major Collections
 

Norm, you got an INVITE to go to WOL with "The Lugerforum" next March, don't wait. This oppurtunity wont last forever, pity, nothing ever does! Thor

BIG NORM, I'm afraid . . . .
 

Your loss is my gain. Ralph lives about 10 to 15 minutes driving time from my house. I try to visit him 2 or 3 times a month, depending on his availability. Sometimes we discuss other topics than Lugers (but not often). I am very fortunate to have a friend in Ralph. He has taught me much about the Parabellum and If I have my way, he will continue for many many years.