Toy guns bring back memories of old Western cowboy movies and childhood games of cops and robbers. The highly decorative and realistic toy guns of the late 1800s and early 1900s were among the most popular and best-selling toys at the time. Whether you want to reconnect with the nostalgia of your childhood or simply seek a new hobby, consider collecting toy guns. Starting a toy gun collection can be a challenging and rewarding hobby and a lucrative career.
Research the various types of toy guns and decide which valuable brands or styles you want to collect. Consider collecting more rare and expensive toy guns made of cast iron from the late 19th Century, or specialize in more modern toy guns made of wood, steel, lead or tin from the 1950s. The series of Atomic toy guns and accessories produced in the 1950s by the Hubley Manufacturing Company are very popular among collectors.
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Check the newspaper ads frequently for yard sales in your area. People often regard toy guns as junk or clutter to sell for a cheap price or even throw away. Search online for local estate sales that feature vintage toys or collector items.
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Attend auctions in person or bid on toy guns online to acquire more rare and exciting pieces for your collection. Visit thrift stores and antique shops in your town to look for vintage toy guns and cap accessories. Introduced in 1870, toy cap guns create a loud gunshot sound that made toy guns more realistic and exciting for children.
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Assess every toy gun for surface damage, such as scratches, worn paint, dents and broken parts before you purchase it. Collect toy guns that are still in good condition and come with original packaging and accessories such as caps and holsters.
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Clean your toy guns with a toothbrush to remove any caked dirt from the small crevices and carved designs. Display your toy gun collection in a glass case or on the wall in a felted picture frame, suggests a 1995 article in "Mountain States Collector."
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Join the Antique Toy Collectors of America to network with other toy gun enthusiasts and be a part of a popular toy collecting community.
