Miniature Weapons for Sale: A Collecting Market Investigation
Collecting fine works of art has traditionally been an activity pursued by wealthy and respectable people. Since only a limited number of these pieces are produced, their prices continuously rise, often at a rate that outpaces inflation. Today, however, art collecting is not exclusive to nobility; it has become a hobby for anyone who appreciates art and can afford it.
Miniature arms occupy a special place among such artifacts. These “toys” are especially attractive for men, who are always warriors deep inside. They combine glamour, the fascination with tiny-size items, the beauty of art, and the feel of danger—a very unusual cocktail of emotions! In addition to that, there is one more advantage: space economy. You don’t need a special room to store and demonstrate your collection; it can easily be hidden in one case.
What is a Miniature Arm?
Basically, this concept includes all kinds of cold steel arms (swords, rapiers, dirks) and firearms (from cannons to pistols). But today, the most popular has obtained the second group, probably because of its more complicated arrangement and more impressive effect. You can’t do much with a tiny sword, but a little pistol still can make really loud and destroying shots – so it’s not just an object for domestic collection but also a way to have fun. That’s why people all over the world make, buy, and collect such things with real pleasure. So, in this article, we will review miniature arms that shoot.
The first little guns were made in the 15th century. At that time, only a few masters existed who could cope with such a difficult task: to create a tiny mechanism that works as a real one. It demands hundreds of hours, high craftsman skills, patience, accuracy, and attention. That’s why we don’t have many antique items of this kind. Today, more people are trying to be themselves in this sphere. Some of them make it their main profession, like Canadian master David Kucer (he has dedicated to miniatures for almost 70 years of his life). Other craftsmen make miniature guns only for their own collections or to make some extra money on the side. However, demand in this market is still greater than supply. Well-known and honored masters sometimes have a queue for a few years – to buy their works that still are not finished. The prices in these conditions are defined primarily by makers and sellers. Usually, they start at $500, but in some cases, they can reach even $ 50,000, depending on the quality and rarity of the item. By the way, if you can’t wait for the master to finish your order, the same thing from the reseller will cost you twice as much.
Speaking about mini arms, we should note the difference between the terms “model” and “miniature.” The first word means a little replica that doesn’t perform all the functions of its full-size original. A miniature, firstly, is made from the same materials as its prototype, and the same technologies were used to make it. The main feature is that it copies not only appearance but also an inside mechanism. So, if you charge it with a cartridge of an appropriate caliber, it will fire. There are several manufacturers of cartridges for small-size arms. Usually, they produce blanks, but sometimes, this ammunition can be equipped with real steel or lead bullets.
The Size Does Matter
How small a miniature should be? Classic standards say that it has to be so small that it can’t be used in the correct firing position, even by a child. A typical miniature is made in 1/3 scale. The reason is simple: this size is small enough to be called “mini,” but when you decrease a complicated gun mechanism to this rate, it is still possible to repeat all details with accuracy. For this reason, some collectors don’t consider guns in ½ scale to be real miniatures: they don’t demand so much skill and effort from their creators. Actually, every step on a decreasing scale makes gun production much more difficult. The main value of such things depends on the level of workmanship, so a simple construction that consists of few details is not very interesting and highly valued when it is made in large size. If you compare, for example, the prices of a one-shot Derringer and a Thompson submachine gun, both 1/3 scale, the second item will be three times more expensive – because of the complexity of its mechanism. Simple guns are noteworthy if they are made in a specific delicate manner or on a scale – in this case, they are fine enough for their size.
On the other hand, there is a limit to decrease. Tiny pistols with a length of 4 cm or less usually simplify the inner mechanism of their prototypes. It’s too hard to make the same schema in all details and adjust it so that it works. Some collectors don’t like such simplified replicas and classify them as second-rate: they think that real miniatures should reflect their original precisely. But, generally speaking, every miniature arm should be estimated according to its distinctive features and the tasks set by its creator. There are those masters who just want to make copies of the highest quality and those who invent their own variants and models, which are also fine and cleverly made. So we advise you not to become obsessed with only one criterion: be more flexible and look at things from different angles. If you use a complex approach, you have much more possibilities to enjoy these beautiful works of art without unnecessary limitations.
Let’s Look at Miniature Arms Closely
We will start with the most prevalent guns made by the Italian company Uberty. The company has been working in the market since 1959 and specializes in American historical arms of the 19th century. It declares that it reproduces the same shapes and mechanical features and the same spirit of those guns you read about in so many books. Making an order at Uberty, buyers can choose materials (steel, brass, walnut, mother of pearl, or plastic polymer) and the finish (nickel plating, blueing, old West antique finish). It also offers a variety of engraving and checkering with beautiful traceries for any test. Uberty company uses quality steel and state-of-the-art technologies. Nevertheless, the price of its arms is low: approximately $300-$900. It is caused, firstly, by the size: the scale is about ½ (47%). The second reason is the producing method. The guns are fabricated in large quantities, and it lowers their price for collectors.
Uberty’s replica Colt 1851 Navy revolver is in the picture. It has an octagon rifled barrel of .17 caliber, hand engraving, mother-of-pearl grips, and some gold-plated details. The cylinder roll is stamped with a picture of the Ormsby naval battle.
Miniature Colt 1851 Navy Uberti
Another Uberty project is a Colt 1861 Navy revolver with a detachable shoulder stock made of walnut. All metal surfaces are silver-plated and expertly engraved, even the shoulder stock buttplate. This gun, like a previous one, is fully functional, but it doesn’t fire—probably because of the lack of proper ammunition.
The cartridges for mini guns are a separate question. There are no specific standards for them, as every weapon an individual maker produces has its caliber. Nevertheless, some masters make rounds for their arms. A few manufacturers also produce the most popular kind of miniature ammunition: 2 mm pinfire cartridges. Usually, they are offered as blanks, although you can also find live pinfire cartridges in some online stores, or you can load them yourself using small metal pellets.
Colt 1861 Navy revolver with detachable shoulder stock, made of walnut.
The next pieces of art are made by Robin Armstrong from Dereham (Norfold, England).
The left picture shows a U.S. Model of a flintlock martial pistol. Such guns were produced in 1819 before percussion pistols were invented. They don’t need cartridges; the powder is placed in a special compartment in the barrel. The miniature has a walnut stock, round steel barrel, steel lock, and mounts.
The right picture: another variant of flintlock guns, a Scottish ram’s horn flintlock sash pistol. It is made on a 1/3 scale and has a .190 caliber. The length is 4 1/8″. The only material is steel. Note decorative elements on the back end.
The name of Bob Urso is well-known by every mini firearms collector. He is a retired professor of art and an author of a miniaturist’s encyclopedia: “The Tiniest Guns,” where all existing types of such firearms are reviewed and classified. He also constructs miniatures, using existing prototypes and creating his own designs. There are about 20 different models in his line.
The Urso’s works illustrated below can be a good example of a modern view of old miniature models, which are already well-known to collectors. But every author can add something original to his version, and Bob Urso is not an exception.
The left picture: Urso Kolibri Model 3. The original Kolibry pistol was designed and produced by F. Phannl in Austria in the first decade of the 20th century. With a length of about 5 cm, it is considered the smallest mass-produced automatic pistol in history. Urso’s version reproduces this famous gun with other finish and grips: traditional checkered Kolibri grips made of plastic, in this case, are replaced with decorative ones. The grips are etched copper, which is covered with nickel and gold.
The right picture is of the Lilliput-Browning or the HyHunter pistol. It appeared in the 1950s and was probably also designed by F. Phannl, although A. Menz in Germany manufactured it. Bob Urso made it of nickel-plated steel. The main feature of this version is also the grip design.
Both models use 2 mm rimfire cartridges, which are rare and expensive today. So, most buyers just trust that these guns can shoot.
The following specimens are unusual for traditional European and American standards. A talented and committed craftsman, Albert Al Shigemi Izuka, makes them from Hawaii. Born in 1942 in Honolulu, he owned a workshop where he worked with metal and wood for many years. He has a strong passion for mini firearms and swords and is the author of many interesting projects in this sphere. His works are widely recognized, as are his exceptional skills and precision.
The guns you see in the pictures are interesting because they reproduce the appearance of ancient matchlock and wheelock pistols. However, Al Izuka has adopted their mechanisms for typical modern 2 mm pinfire cartridges to make them shootable in contemporary circumstances. So, “hybrids” and experimental models look very impressive.
The left picture: Izuka Mathlock. This little charm pistol is only 1-3/8’’ long. It is brass with a blued barrel and ivory grips. The barrel is turned by hand after each shot.
The right picture: Izuka Wheelock, 1-5/8’’ long. The spanner is used to wind and cock the hammer. The barrel tips down to load. The frame is made of polished brass, the barrel, and all parts of the action are blued steel.
Miniature Pistols by Albert Al Shigemi Izuka
The Smallest Pistol in the World
This tiny Derringer has a length of only 25 mm and a barrel diameter of only 1 mm. And it shoots live ammo with hardened steel bullets! Cartridges are easily available: complete with the gun, you get 10, and you can order additional sets of ammunition if necessary. Look how this little miracle pierces a can with one shot.
Golden Derringer (scale 1:6)
It is not only the smallest gun that shoots, but it is also an original piece of jewelry. The materials used for its production are as precious as the original: gold and mammoth bone. So it’s a unique collector’s exhibit and a beautiful accessory, “two in one.”
About the Author
My name is Olha Polah, and I have been working in miniature weapons production since 2015. I started the mini firearms brand and have been running the brand’s Instagram page since 2016. The brand’s miniatures are popular worldwide, with fans in 25+ countries. I became the sole owner of the brand in 2018 and created a comprehensive line of miniatures. More than 60 models of miniature weapons from various historical periods have been created. In November 2023, I was interviewed by Robert Dunn for the GunTech magazine, where I talked about the hardships I had to endure in my business. I also run a newsletter for the brand’s customers, which has evolved into a full-fledged magazine with in-depth articles published on the wpolah.com.
My mission is to make people’s lives more joyful by sharing interesting facts about miniature weapons and inspiring everyone to express themselves.