Gun Collector Owns His Piece of History Lock, Stock and Barrel

Annie Oakley lamented in the Broadway musical, “Annie Get Your Gun,” that “you can’t get a man with a gun.”

The trick shot artist was wrong: Her guns certainly got Greg Martin’s interest.

Martin, 47, an antique-weapons collector, has three of Annie’s revolvers, as well as guns once owned by Alexander Hamilton and President Theodore Roosevelt.

The three gold-plated Smith & Wesson revolvers with pearl handles were bought for Oakley by her husband, Frank Butler, in 1895 when she was with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, Martin said.

“Engraved by Tiffany, they probably cost a few hundred dollars then,” he said. “Now they’re worth between $400,000 and $500,000.”

A pair of pistols that belonged to Hamilton were given to him by his father-in-law after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Hamilton was later killed in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804.

“A direct descendant of Hamilton sold them to a museum, which sold them to repair its roof,” Martin said.

The Hamilton guns are worth less than Oakley’s.

“They’re probably worth $250,000,” Martin said.

“Outside of the U.S., who knows Hamilton? But everyone knows Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley and the other great figures of the West,” he explained.

Another prize in Martin’s collection is a big-game rifle presented to Roosevelt in 1909 by some of England’s leading families.

The gun, valued at about $500,000, was used by the President on a safari to Africa, where he bagged a dangerous Cape buffalo.

The history of every gun in Martin’s collection can be traced through letters, bills of sale and old catalogues.

“I love all facets of American history, but what appeals to me most is the Wild West,” said Martin, who has guns once owned by William (Buffalo Bill) Cody, Wyatt Earp and such lesser known lawmen as Heck Thomas and Jack Crawford.

“Crawford was known as the ‘Poet Scout of the Plains’ and wrote the eulogy for Wild Bill Hickok,” Martin said.

Martin sells as well as buys. He recently sold a pair of revolvers given to Gen. George Armstrong Custer by a wealthy hunter after Custer led his party on a hunting expedition.

Martin got started early, buying an 1853 Colt revolver for $10 when he was only 12.

“It turned out to be worth $125,” Martin said. “I’ve still got it. It’s worth $2,500.”

Prices ‘Always Go Up’

Martin, who once was a firefighter, has been collecting guns full-time since 1965. It has made him a wealthy man.

“Prices don’t always go up in other collectibles, but antique guns always go up.”

He can’t put a price on his entire collection.

Martin, a busy man, is embarrassed by that, adding that he doesn’t even have an inventory of all he owns.

“I have to get around to that one of these days.”