Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
curator. Subsequent to the return of the firearms from St. Louis, the company entered negotiations with the museum to place the collection on loan. By 1906 it was sent, virtually in its entirety, to Washington, where it remained until 1931. The large file of correspondence generated in the ensuing years (on record in Smithsonian archives) chronicles the loan and eventual return of that collection. A majority of the stock of the U.S. Cartridge Co. was purchased in 1910 by the National Lead Company, however ownership of the gun collection remained in the estate of General Butler, reverting to his son Paul and other direct heirs in that year (National Lead Co. assumed 100 percent ownership of the company in 1919). In the years that followed, the Butler heirs carried on protracted correspondence with the Smithsonian, requesting return of the firearms collection; ultimately shipped back to them during August 1931. Whatever transpired during those years of their return to Massachusetts and storage in the decade that followed is unclear. By 1942 the collection was acquired by parties unknown and offered for sale through a small, paper-covered, unillustrated catalog issued by Robbins H. Ritter of East Hartford, Connecticut. It is apparent from that austere listing and accompanying single page price sheet that at least 565 antique firearms had been returned from the Smithsonian and had then been sold. The Ritter catalog commences with item no. 101 ending, in sequence, with no. 670, but omits a group of 53 pieces (item nos. 403-550 possibly sold prior to issuance of the catalog).
RELEVANCE OF THE BROOKS AND U.S. CARTRIDGE COMPANY CATALOGS FOR THE COLLECTOR
For today’s collector, trader and dealer, both the Brooks and U.S. Cartridge Co. catalogs have a direct significance beyond their scarcity and value as collectibles. Seldom, if ever, mentioned is the unusual, corroborative historical information they include which is directly relevant to many guns described and illustrated in them. Certain antique arms (especially those of the Civil War) directly identifiable to the Brooks collection have sporadically appeared on the collectors market. Most that I have viewed had been totally unrecognized by collectors for the specific markings that identify them directly with entries in the Brooks (and by presumption the U.S. Cartridge) catalog and their consequent enhanced historical significance and market value. It became evident after encountering specimens clearly traceable to the Brooks collection that he customarily marked each gun with his acquisition number, using small, individual die stamps of identical size which he applied in an unsystematic manner, usually to the stock (often the forearm) of his firearms. Most consisted of four numerals (although his Indian-owned and used longarms were struck with only single or double digits). Following verification of the authenticity of the stamped numbers, it becomes essential the Brooks catalog be utilized for identifying both provenance and historical background often associated with the weapon. Although each catalog entry is merely sequentially numbered, the Brooks acquisition number (to be matched with the firearm) is appended to each description. The numerous photographic plates illustrate showcases filled with guns, rather then individual specimens. Hence the photographs, although a valid means of cross-checking with the captions are not dependable for positive identification. At that juncture the U.S. Cartridge Co. catalog may be found particularly useful as those very same firearms are illustrated individually in larger size and detail. That latter catalog makes no mention of the Brooks collection and retains but few of the associated histories. With diligence and patience it is possible to match U.S. Cartridge Co. firearms to those of the Brooks catalog.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Just one caveat for the collector contemplating acquisition of a weapon or other relic attributed to the Brooks collection! The watchword is “caution.” Mr. Brooks die-stamp-on-the-wood identification system was amateurish and obviously subject to present-day forgery or other abuse (particularly so, as this is likely the initial discussion in modern arms literature of the history and significance of the collection). Hence, the uninitiated or overeager collector and trader should proceed with caution before tacit acceptance of die-stamped numbers matching those in the Brooks catalog. If confirmed genuine to the gun, that identification is certain to heighten its interest and desirability. Depending upon its published provenance and history of use, an increase in value, possibly substantial, may be warranted.
GENERAL VS. SPECIALIZED COLLECTIONS
Although there has been a decided trend towards specialization in collecting, there is no doubt that many collectors are still considered of the “general” category and many newcomers will undoubtedly follow these same “general” interests. Each field of collecting has its merits and undoubtedly satisfies the needs of the aficionado. Not a few extensive and fine “general” collections have been formed which have achieved wide notoriety. This type, though, does often tend to get out of hand, and is often associated with a “pack rat” syndrome— which may be likened to a squirrel storing nuts for the winter! Regrettably, a majority of these general arms groups are put together with no purpose at all in mind and tend more often than not to reflect just that attitude. At this point a word of caution is in order for those who might be embarking on a collecting career purely on an investment or speculative basis. The best advice would be to quit now while ahead! Many are the perils in store for purely investment-minded gun buyers. All too numerous have been the articles in recent years in leading financial journals as well as popular national publications about the remarkable price rises in antique guns and the often “big money” made, or which could have been made, on them. Such articles will surely continue to appear, but should they be the sole stimulus for a buyer entering the gun market, he may well be in for a very rude awakening.
It is certainly accurate to state that many collectors have turned handsome profits on their antique arms, especially by individuals who have been in collecting for some years; likewise a small handful of pure speculators have also made “killings” on a few very choice pieces. Rarely though do those abovementioned financial journalists ever report the other side of the coin; many are the losers who entered collecting on a pure investment basis only to quickly find themselves much poorer for the experience. The articles rarely, if ever, are researched in depth, and in most instances rarely scratch beyond the surface. They either report the hysteria reached at a single auction as being indicative of the entire market, or concentrate on sensational prices acquired for a few pieces, or possibly note cataloged prices of a few pieces which do not accurately reflect actual sales! Experience and common sense should caution that it is impossible to wisely buy in the collecting field, whether antique guns, furniture, coins or art, unless the buyer is well armed with some knowledge of the field and the commodity and a good deal of patience. Few are those who have entered collecting on a purely speculative basis and have remained active very long. The very essence of collecting is the acquisition of knowledge ... and that takes time. A sincere interest in the items to be collected should be the key requisite for entering this field as a hobby; the ultimate return should be the enjoyment one has had from his collecting activities. Obviously money should be very well spent—just as an investment in anything of value should be carefully considered—and experience in the field of arms collecting has proved decidedly that prudent investments have brought very rich returns.
It is best to narrow a collection, especially a beginning one, to certain confined limits where a reasonable amount of management can be discerned by both the owner and the viewer. Taste and pocketbook will very likely determine the category. Examples of broad classifications which offer an array of possibilities might be to confine the collection only to muzzle-loading or breech-loading arms of specific eras or types (e.g., sporting weapons, military weapons, etc.). A fine and interesting area for broad specialization, and one which would cover the longest historical period, would be to show arms of all ignition types used in America and the many variations of each. Collections of these types offer intriguing as well as educational values. For the neophyte collector they offer the advantage of the broadest possible understanding of antique guns over a lengthy period, and at the same time present the opportunity to assemble a group of items having a wide general interest to others.
The last subject “wide general interest” is worth digressing for momentarily. It has been the author’s feeling that one of the distinct inner satisfactions of collecting should be the ability to share and impart one’s enthusiasm and interest to completely disinterested non-collectors and to see that spark of enthusiasm kindle itself within them. At the very least, the scope of the collection should be sufficient to arouse