Certificate of Competency

DEKBRIEF

Geagte Lede,

Hierdie dekbrief word slegs in Engels versprei omdat bitter min lede van die Sentrale Vuurwapenregister Afrikaans magtig is of dit verstaan. Dus, om u ellelange probleme en frustrasies te bespaar, moet u aansoek in Engels en streng volgens die riglyne hierin vervat uiteengesit word.

Dit is belangrik om daarop te let dat u aansoek SLEGS DIE RELEVANTE aspekte moet behandel en nie almal nie.

U moet egter ten alle tye die tema waarin die betrokke wapen binne u belangstellingsveld val, duidelik uiteensit en motiveer. Indien u dit nie doen nie sal die aansoek nie slaag nie.

Ons erken met dankbaarheid die vergunning deur die South African Arms and Ammunition Collectors’ Association (Gauteng) om uit hulle nuusbrief #20 aan te haal.

Stef Grobler

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

Historical:

Depending on the nature of the member’s interest, this section would look at the history of the development of the firearm, the person who designed it, and the company who made it , or the history of how and where it was used and by whom , or in some instances both .

Technological:

The design, engineering, and functioning of the firearm, including any distinctive characteristics which differentiate it from firearms of the same era, e.g. pros and cons of different types of locking mechanisms.

Scientific:

Although similar in some respects to ‘Technological’, we tend to look here at the ‘Science’ behind the design of the firearm. Examples might include a study of the different types of materials used in firearm manufacture such as steel, stainless steel, or polymer plastics, changes resulting from the transition from black to smokeless powder or the impact of different types of rifling and bullet shape on ballistic performance.

Educational:

This covers anything to do with a ‘teaching’ or ‘learning’ context, either of the firearm itself such as training rifles or (licensable) cutaways, or where the firearm regularly forms part of a dioramic display or re-enactment for the benefit of others.

Cultural:

This would be relevant where the firearm formed an intrinsic part or was illustrative of the day-to-day life of its owner in the society of that time. Pioneers, Frontiersmen, the ‘Wild West ‘, our own “Die Boer en sy Roer” heritage as well as “Township specials” or ‘zip guns’ could all be good examples.

Commemorative:

Many manufacturers over the years have brought out ‘special editions’ or limited production runs to mark a specific milestone, person or event in the history of the firearm or the marque. For example Mauser brought out a limited range of the Luger P-08 in various con-figurations in the 1970’s , and Walther marked the end of production of its famous PP and PPK models with special edition cased sets.

Investment:

While most quality firearms have appreciated in value over the years, what we are looking at here are typically the ‘high end’ rifles, shotguns and handguns which command premium prices, or where the present or future financial value (other than normal inflation linked appreciation ) of the firearm played a significant role in the decision to acquire it, normally in conjunction with one or more of the other attributes.

Rarity:

This comes into play for a couple of reasons – either only a few examples of the firearm were made, or only a few have survived, or only a few found their way into this country. Inversely it would also be appropriate to highlight the purchase of a Replica or look alike under this dimension, where the ‘real thing’ was virtually unobtainable or unaffordable for the Collector concerned.

Thematic: ( NB — to be included in all future CoC’s)

Courtesy of our Legislation which requires that a Collector have an approved Theme into which a collectible firearm should fit, one could argue that all our firearms are ‘Thematic’ which is true.

A brief description should therefore be included as to how and why the firearm fits into the relevant theme in question. The reason for including this dimension separately is however also to provide for the instances of a legitimate Theme which does not readily fit into the other attributes. An interesting example we have encountered is “the collection of examples of firearms used in famous Spy stories and Films over the past 80 years“.

Artistic:

Many firearms can be considered as examples of ‘engineering art’, particularly if they are engraved, or are ‘special editions’ of particularly high quality in terms of choice of materials and finish. This doesn’t only apply to the better known ‘exotics’ as we have seen outstanding examples of engraving, exotic wood and inletting on readily available handguns and long arms. Even the humble SMLE .303 came out in a selected deluxe version in the 1920’s.

Heritage:

Heritage is often confused either with ‘history’ or ‘inheritance’. In this instance we are looking at the definition as it applies to South Africa’s ‘National Estate’ as set out in the National Heritage Resources Act i.e. a firearm which is associated with famous people or events of South African significance or involvement. If the firearm is particularly significant e.g. was the known personal property of a famous South African person, it would qualify to be considered as a “Heritage Object ‘, and would have to be certified as such by the Heritage Resources Agency in terms of Section 17(1)(b) . However not all firearms which have a measure of Heritage value are “Heritage objects” , and this value can be described under this dimension e.g. a Boer War Mauser which is representative example from that conflict but didn’t belong to a particular famous person .

Many of us collect firearms which we ‘grew up with’, and have a particular interest in and fondness for. This ‘personal heritage’ can also be described here, in addition to the other relevant dimensions.

Conclusion

On average between three and five of the above dimensions apply to any one firearm within the context of the Members approved Theme(s) or Field of Interest.

Those which are not applicable should be left out so that an accurate and succinct description of the firearm can be presented, and a clear picture can emerge of the value of the firearm to the member, and how it fits into his or her collection.

Where there is nothing “unique” about a specific firearm and it is being collected as a “representative example” this should also be clearly stated.

Quoted in full by courtesy of South African Arms and Ammunition Collectors Association (Gauteng).