As a collectibles class, miniature guns share much of the same appeal as their full-sized counterparts. The handcraftsmanship, scarcity, and remarkable artistry exhibited by the finest functional miniatures place them in high demand with enthusiasts, and miniature guns make fantastic companion pieces to the firearms they’re modeled after.
Rock Island Auction Company’s June 21-23 Sporting and Collectors Auction in Bedford, Texas features over four dozen examples of miniature guns, many from the exceptional Cranford Dalby Collection. Click on the images throughout the article to learn more about this fascinating collecting genre.
The Miniature Firearms Field
Crafting and collecting miniature guns dates back to the 1700s. In European craft guilds, journeymen were required to produce an exemplary item, or “masterpiece” to earn the rank of master. In some disciplines, this involved creating a fully functional scale miniature. Miniature cannon, armor, swords, rifles, and pistols remained popular collectibles over the centuries, like the European miniature pistol produced in the mid-1800s pictured below.
Some modern miniature guns have been produced by firms like Uberti and Imperial Miniature Armory, though the vocation continues to be led by the individual artisan. RIAC’s June S&C Auction features works from some of the most regarded names in the field, including Tom Weston, David L. Bradbury, Dave Kucer, Alex Baez, Herschel Kopp, Stanley Blashak, and Robin Armstrong.
Tiny Long Guns
Stanley Blashak and Robin Armstrong, two craftsmen prominently featured by the Miniature Arms Society, produced some of the most exceptional miniature guns in the field. Specializing in miniature muzzleloaders, an exceptional example from each artisan is featured below, including a miniature Brown Bess from Armstrong and a set of three tiny guns from Blashak that contains a Kentucky rifle miniature.
The finest miniature guns exhibit accurate detail on a smaller scale. Our next two muzzleloading examples feature functional locks and patchboxes, with precisely scaled markings and proofs to match their full-sized counterparts. The miniature U.S. Model 1803 flintlock rifle exhibits Harpers Ferry and American eagle/shield markings, and the tiny Type I British Baker displays the correct “crown/GR” royal cipher and “TOWER” markings demonstrating a remarkable commitment to authenticity.
Mini Pistols: Muzzleloaders
Robin Armstrong crafted a variety of miniature pistols and our next four examples highlight some of his finest workmanship. Cased dueling pistols are particularly desirable to antique collectors, and the miniature Wogdon dueling pistols below are part of an entire boxed set scaled down by 1/3, including a tiny ball mold, powder flask, multi-tool, cleaning rod, key, and a few balls.
Surviving examples of the British Long Sea Service flintlock are collecting rarities, and quality miniatures of this model are even more scarce. In the 18th century, the British Royal Navy began to standardize its firearms. The barrel markings on such pieces became far more uniform compared to British firearms of the past, and the tiny gun pictured below faithfully recreates every feature on a full-sized Sea Service pistol down to its “crown/GR” royal cipher and “crown/broad arrow” marked at the center of the lock.
After the Revolutionary War, America’s young military started to develop more of its own weapons, including the U.S. North & Cheney Model 1799 flintlock pistol. Robin Armstrong crafted an impressive miniature version of this historic model complete with accurate proof markings and the North & Cheney marking correctly displayed on the bottom of the frame near the trigger guard.
More than a half-century later, the U.S. military issued the Springfield Model 1855 pistol-carbine, a weapon that could be utilized as a pistol on horseback and a carbine for dismounted action. Armstrong’s miniature version of the gun includes the correct proofs and “1855” date markings, as well as a shoulder stock, an accessory few surviving historic Model 1855 pistol-carbines retain.
Tiny Revolvers
Even in its tiny gun form, the Colt Walker makes a big impression. The 40% scale recreation of Colt’s famous Model 1847 Walker pictured below was handmade by Tom Weston, a well-known producer of miniatures in Mexico City in the 1950s and 1960s. The historic Walker was issued to the Mounted Texas Rifle Regiment during the Mexican-American War. Westson’s scale version is marked “A COMPANY NO 20” and is fitted with a finely carved grip featuring a Mexican eagle and snake on the left and a Phrygian cap with “LIBERTAD” on the right.
Crafting accurate miniature guns is an exceptional talent, and creating sized-down versions of a model’s accessories to match the scale of a tiny gun is even more impressive. The 1/3 scale miniature Colt 2nd Model Dragoon featured below was handmade by David L. Bradbury and includes a hardwood case with the interior fitted in the English style for the tiny revolver as well as the included miniature ball mold, powder flask, oiler, cap tin, turnscrew, and some lead balls.
If you thought 1/3 scale was small, our next tiny gun pair is bound to impress. These outstanding 1/5 scale Colt Single Action Army revolvers were made by the well-known miniatures gun makers Alex Baez and Herschel Kopp. Both miniature revolvers feature full gold plated finishes, correct Colt style markings, a pair of smooth pearl grips, and a leather case.
Another literal micro revolver, the breathtaking 1/5 scale miniature model of the Colt Bisley highlighted below is yet another standout example from Baez and Kopp. The revolver has a full gold plated finish and the correct Colt style markings are seen throughout, and its case includes a cartridge head style inset and six miniature dummy cartridges that demonstrate the diminutive scale of this exceptional tiny gun.
Dave Kucer earned a reputation in the miniatures community for his complex and detailed reproductions. The tiny gun below is an impressive example of Kucer’s work, a 1/3 scale miniature of a World War 2 era U.S. Navy contract Smith & Wesson Victory Model revolver that includes a full wartime parkerized finish, accurate markings, and a miniature “US” marked leather holster.
Mini Pistols
Our next tiny gun example, a 1/5 scale 1911A1 pistol, demonstrates the variety found within the miniature guns collecting field. This reproduction of America’s iconic World War 2 service sidearm was handmade by Tom Weston and faithfully captures the correct functionality and details of Old Slabside. Most of the pistol’s gold plated finish remains in very fine condition.
Joel Morrow’s Imperial Miniature Armory firm produced some exceptional mini pistols, including the cased trio of 1/2 scale World War 1 Luger variants below. The Artillery model, Navy, and P.08 Luger are reproduced in exceptional detail, featuring all the typical functionality and markings of their full-sized counterparts.
The Luger is a gun collecting cornerstone, and rare gold plated variants of this famous handgun are particularly sought after. At 1/5 scale, the mini pistol pictured below is one of the most impressive miniature guns offered this June and demonstrates the high-level craftsmanship that Alex Baez and Herschel Kopp are renowned for. The tiny gun includes a leatherette wrapped case with an exterior Iron Cross medallion and a fitted interior with a cartridge head style inset and six miniature dummy cartridges.
Miniature guns cover every era and genre imaginable, including modern classics like the Beretta Model 92FS. Another standout example of Dave Kucer’s talent, the 1/3 scale mini pistol shows all the correct features and markings of a full sized Model 92FS, including single and double action functionality, a working magazine release, safety, and slide stop.
Mini Shotguns
For the sporting arms lover, June’s selection includes several mini shotguns displaying impeccable craftsmanship. Pictured below, this 1/2 scale reproduction of a Perazzi shotgun was created by Italian gunmakers Lucchini & Visini and measures 22 3/4″ overall. The engraved tiny gun is marked “SCO” in gold and “MADE IN ITALY” under the forend and includes a matching scaled-down wood and canvas case, six brass shells, wood snap caps, and a miniature duck call.
In addition to being a valued collectible in their own right, miniature guns can also serve as attractive companion pieces to their full-sized siblings. This especially holds true with popular models like the Browning Auto-5. The mini shotgun example below, another highlight from Lucchini & Visini, is a 1/2 scale Auto-5 engraved by master Engraver Carlo Pasotti that perfectly captures every detail of John Browning’s classic “Humpback.”
Going back a few centuries, the mighty blunderbuss served as the predecessor to the shotgun and was often employed for defending ships and carriages. The two miniature guns below, each by Stan Blashak, represent different variations of the classic 18th century brass British blunderbuss design, with the top example, a 1/4 scale blunderbuss with a short barrel, and the bottom piece, a 1/3 scale miniature, demonstrating the variation in bore size and barrel length found within this historic weapon class.
Tiny Guns for Sale
The pursuit of miniature gun collecting has endured for centuries and continues to flourish today. In addition to their exceptional artistry and workmanship, miniature guns are ideal complements to their full-sized firearm counterparts and can be easily displayed and exhibited due to their diminutive size. From blunderbuss to Beretta, fans of every firearm genre will find a tiny gun that catches their eye in RIAC’s auction lineup.
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