Recently, a rare collection of arms was auctioned at Obelisk Auctioneers and Valuers. This important collection of over 100 lots of 18th, 19th and 20th century arms consisted of European, American and Oriental flintlock and percussion muskets and pistols, percussion revolvers and rim-fire and centre-fire pistols, revolvers and rifles. The collection also featured fine pre-19th century pieces, most of which were purchased at Sotheby’s auctions in the 1970s and 1980s.
The collection attracted a lot of interest, especially from arms and militaria collectors keen to acquire, research and conserve a piece of history. The response was remarkable and bidding brisk.
Arms and militaria have become particularly desirable objects: they feature in period photos, books, movies and museums and they are associated with important historical events and personalities. They tell the story of our evolution against a background of social, political and technological advances. Yet arms and militaria also recount the personal viewpoint of human history through their link to the individuals who used them in the past.
Digging up an artefact’s history can be a very rewarding experience. Firearms collecting has always been popular in Malta. However local collectors’ skills at picking up good quality pieces are getting sharper thanks to interaction and networking, access to good reference works, clubs’ activities and exposure to the international market. This was made possible by the regulation of firearms collecting in 2006. Fine arms and militaria have experienced a steady growth in value over the years and the potential for investment is a strong incentive for collecting them.
The value of arms and militaria varies depending on the desirability, quality, rarity, provenance and last but not least originality and condition. Local collectors are becoming more discerning but there still remain those who have not informed themselves sufficiently and are out to make a bargain at the cost of originality and condition. However, a serious collector will not compromise on these criteria.
Firearms that have had components changed or which have been refinished or over-restored lose a considerable percentage of their value. Likewise, firearms that have not been cared for or that have been displayed on damp walls would have sustained irreversible damage and their value plummets. Good quality pieces will always command the highest resale value.
Provenance and history also add to the value of firearms. Objects that played a part in great historical events continue to attract most interest. The Napoleonic and Victorian campaigns as well as the battles of WWI and WWII lead in popularity. However artefacts from the 20th century are obviously more accessible and the interest in them is more widespread.
They tell the story of our evolution against a background of social, political and technological advances
Nevertheless some pieces that are considered rare command high values. These include prototype or experimental pieces but not only. Many WWI and WWII firearms are now a challenge to find in good original condition: many were destroyed during or after the conflicts and what remains is being snapped up by collectors across the globe. The same applies to militaria such as medals, uniforms, equipment, personal effects and documents.
Some legal considerations need to be taken into account when collecting arms and militaria. Edged weapons such as swords and bayonets are exempt from any regulation. However the acquisition and keeping of firearms is regulated. If they were made before 1900 (so-called Schedule III firearms such as flintlock and percussion muzzleloaders) a police transfer and registration is required. However all the rest, including Schedule I and Schedule II firearms such as pistols, rifles and pre-1946 automatics, require that the purchaser be in possession of a Collector Licence A.
The Arms Act 2005 and the Arms Licensing Regulations 2006 establish the criteria upon which the licence is granted. An applicant must join a licensed organisation representing collectors and obtain its recommendation in order to submit a police application. An interview is then held with the Weapons Board which will recommend successful applicants for a licence. Ultimately it is the Commissioner of Police who decides on the issue of the licence.