

































































































































































Buying a prototype firearm from a private collection isn’t like picking up a standard production gun – you’re purchasing a story, and stories get expensive when they turn out to be fiction. Without solid documentation, expert authentication, and careful legal vetting, that experimental Smith & Wesson could be nothing more than a cleverly modified fake that costs you thousands.

Buying rare European pistols in the U.S. doesn’t have to be intimidating once you understand the landscape. Whether you’re hunting domestically for pieces already stateside or navigating the complex import process from Europe, this guide breaks down everything from C&R licenses to auction strategies so you can build that collection without expensive mistakes.

When you find a rare piece you’ve been hunting for years, you want to believe – you want the story to be true, the documentation to be genuine, the provenance to be solid. But that enthusiasm can also make you vulnerable.
