Firearm Accesories Buyer's Guide      

  Starting a firearms collection is a great way to learn about history or spend free time doing something you enjoy.  I myself collect and study firearms in my free time as well as it being my current course of study at university.  The easiest and least expensive way to break into firearms collecting is to buy military surplus rifles.  Often these can be found at your local pawnshops and firearm stores at significantly lower prices.  You may want to research the types of military surplus weapons that are available as I did.  Once you have found your firearm, the thing I have found to increase value and personal satisfaction is adding accesories to these.  Accesories complete the firearm in some cases.  My first military surplus was a Russian Mosin Nagant 91/30 rifle from WWII.  When I first got it, it was lacking something.  So I started researching.  First, I found a great firearms site that had all kinds of information about my rifle.  Then I found out the types of accesories my rifle had. Many different slings, stocks, cleaning kits, ammo pouches, and scopes could be found for it.  I had trouble locating certain items though and that is when eBay came into play.

       I found that most of the accesories I was looking for came in lots.  This was great because it saved on shipping and time.  I was able to get almost everything I needed in one auction so I didn't have to moniter several things at once.  Another thing is that most of your items should be in the same condition as the rest.  If one item looks good the rest should also look good.  I would suggest that you look for oppurtunities such as this when you are conducting your own searches. 

       When you are looking for a specific item, this is the time to use several auctions.  Compare and contrast them weighing each items true worth, condition, your own need of the item, and the shipping.  Shipping can add quite a bit of money to your purchase as you might have learned in past purchases.  Most items can be found online and their current market value along with that information.  When looking at condition, make sure to ask for pictures from every angle.  I had one friend who bought a WWII U.S. blasting machine detonator and the casing was cracked in the back.  The seller did not mention this nor did they have a picture of the crack. 

       Also ask for specific pictures of certain things that might be located on the item such as serial numbers or manufacturer names.  On some weapons, you may find arsenal markings such as in the case of my Mosin Nagant.  You may also find these and similiar symbols stamped on the tools and accessories in various places.  To increase the value of your weapon, it would be better to find the items with the same markings as those found on your weapon.  Another thing to look for is serial numbers.  The item or items may have a specific serial number stamped on them.  In this case it would be best if all the numbers matched up.

        Notice the triangle shaped marking on the second picture.  It is from the barrel of an Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine.  This mark, which is a triangle with an arrow in it, indicates that the rifle was produced at the Ishevsk Arsenal in Russia.  This mark is found also on the combination firing pin/screwdriver tool located in the third and fourth pictures, thus indicating it was also produced at the Ishevsk Arsenal.  The last picture is of the barrel of the Mosin Nagant M91/30.  This rifle has a large star with an arrow in it, indicating it was produced at the Tula Arsenal also located in Russia.  This may also be found on tools, but I have yet to see an example.

       The seller should be obliged to send you these specific photographs as it is in their best interests to.  You could be the one buying their product.  If they seem like they aren't interested in sending you something specific, move on to the next item and seller.

       I hope this guide helps you in your endeavors to find those things that complete your collections.  Have a nice day and happy hunting!