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Check out Len’s channel “Historic Investments”:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSj9dKgOZhCkbPBskimn7w
Today I am speaking to Len Antaris of Historic Investments, aka “Fireplace Guy”. Len has a tremendous collection with an emphasis on unusual and prototype handguns, and he has been very generous in allowing me to film much of it for you over many years. So, I figured we should talk to him about some of the things you might be interested in his take on:
00:00 – Introduction
02:14 – Why are American Collectors so interested in Swiss Firearms?
04:21 – Why were early autoloading pistols so clunky compared to modern pistols?
07:32 – Your house is on fire, and you only have time to save one gun from your collection. Which one, and why?
Salvatore-Dormus: https://youtu.be/QGzb-0PJadI
Laumann & Schonberger-Laumann: https://youtu.be/AFhU3Dixvnk
10:11 – How did you get started collecting firearms and why a particular interest in early semi-auto handguns?
15:38 – Why have modern firearms have lost the finesse and finish of older guns?
18:34 – Top 3 guns to hang on the mantle above the fireplace?
20:33 – Most interesting technological dead end to come out of early self-loading pistol design?
Sosso: https://youtu.be/iO3ZAuiq35k
22:49 – Webley self-loader viable for wide-spread use in WW1?
Webley Model 1913: https://youtu.be/HSDygkzGQRo
25:12 – Were there any serious attempt at stocked revolvers for militaries after the early 1900’s?
25:27 – Thoughts on the Trejo Model 1 .22 auto pistol?
Trejo Model 1: https://youtu.be/8d-AQsHY1_c
26:30 – Why didn’t the Schwarzlose 1898 take off commercially despite it’s advanced features and good ergonomics?
Schwarzlose 1898: https://youtu.be/rYl0dQAJMh4
29:21 – How hard is it finding warlord pistols these days?
35:39 – What firearms are you seeking, or wish you could have for your collection?
36:53 – I’m starting to collect World War 2 military sidearms. But, I want to focus on the “not so common” military issue sidearms. What would you consider the top 3 “un-sung pistols” of World War 2?
41:15 – Favorite pistol to shoot / Do you shoot your collectible pistols?
43:26 – Which, if any, of the early semiauto pistols could be a (limited) success if it was brought back as a replica today?
48:18 – Will polymer pistols ever be collectible?
51:25 – Who are some early designers of semi-automatic handguns you think more people should know about?
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740
At Forgotten Weapons I think the most interesting guns out there are the most obscure ones. I try to search out experimental and prototype weapons and show you how they work, in addition to more conventional guns that you may not have heard of before. You’re much more likely to find a video on the Cei Rigotti or Webley-Fosbery here than an AR or Glock. So, do you want to learn about something new today? Then stick around!
