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MEMBER SERVICES
(meeting dates, change of address, etc)

ASAC Foundation
scholarships and research grants

Articles from the Bulletin
Click here for full list of articles

Arms Publications
Available from us
Books endorsed by us
Books by our members

Information about arms
and arms collecting

Firearms Research:
A Professional Approach

Research Requests

Museums with Arms Exhibits

Contact Us

Welcome to
The American Society of
Arms Collectors

Who are we?

The American Society of Arms Collectors was founded in 1953 as a permanent national organization for persons interested in the collection, research, study, and preservation of arms, armor, and accessories and accoutrements; to establish and promote standards and ethics in research and dissemination of information pertaining to the history of arms and armor; and to promote and further the preparation, publication and distribution of scholarly literature pertaining to the development and history of arms and armor.

Our activities include:

• Promoting friendship for those interested in the collection of arms, armor, and their accessories.
• Opposing legislation injurious to the possession and collection of arms, armor, and accessories by responsible collectors.
• Holding regular meetings:
  (a) to conduct society business;
  (b) where members may assist each other in locating items for their collections;
  (c) where members may display pieces from their collections for the education and pleasure of others; and
  (d) have papers and presentations on appropriate subjects.
• Promoting and upholding the highest standards of honesty among arms collectors, and to expose and take vigorous action against any faking or misrepresentation of arms.

NOTE: Membership is limited to a maximum of 250 active members, and membership is by invitation only.

Here are some of the accomplishments of a few of our deceased former members.

Robert Abels- an early and respected arms dealer in New York City
Howard L. Blackmore- author on British firearms history
LTC William S. Brophy- Marlin Firearms historian and authority on U.S. military rifles.
Val Forgett- founder of Navy Arms Co., and the force behind the creation of replica black powder firearms
Claud E. Fuller- author on Civil War and breech loading arms; donor of the Fuller Collection at Chickamauga National Park.
Herschel C. Logan- historian and author on cartridges, and firearms ignition systems.
Harold L. Peterson- Head of National Park Service arms collections; author on Arms and Armor in Colonial America, and American Swords
Robert M. Reilly- author on U.S. military arms through the Civil War and also socket bayonets
William B. Ruger- founder of Sturm, Ruger & Co, and also an avid arms collector
Henry M. Stewart- Colt authority and donor of the superb collection at the Virginia Military Institute
Nathan L. Swayze- author on the Colt 1851 Navy pistols