I have a 1948 letter or provenance regarding a Stevens Model 53 that refers to the Wilson collection.  Anyone know who or what the Wilson collection was?

Perhaps this guy Wilson--from google search on Wilson Antique Gun Collection--courtesy of Forbe's magazine and TSM in 2006.  It appears he's still in jail and his stuff got repo'd and autioned off.

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Duh!  You're right--Too soon old, too late, smart, or at least a case of senioritis.  Should have paid more attention to the date.

I do not think the letter is a fake. If you check around you are bound to find out just who this collecter was/ I'm sure he is not still alive. The price would be about correct for the time period also. One of my uncles used to get a mail order catalog that as a kid I just loved. Single shot rifles that were engraved or had other fine features dirt cheap. Back in the 50's though it seemed as a whole lot of money. If we had only known then what the prices would be now. My uncle had several old Stevens single shot rifles including several with Pope barrels. As a kid I did not know Pope from Zischang or any of the other greats but he did. And I remember the prices being really low, or low in comparison to the oing rate now. 
Mike

418steve:  The Forbes link certainly speaks to a Wilson collection, just one generaton too late.  I wonder if his father or grandfather is the 'Wilson' in queston.  Maybe he inherited their interest in firearms, just not their ethics.  Steve B.

Thanks to all for opinions and leads.  I guess 'Wilson' wasn't such an obvious reference to a well known collector as the 1948 seller thought it was.  Steve b

I like that your Uncle lived in Vista California. I had an Aunt and Uncle who had a little avacado ranch in Vista, and I currently have a Niece and Nephew in Vista. Vista is a nice place. 

I spoke with Gary and with Jim Goergens (sp?) a few days ago.  Neither had heard of a 'Wilson collecton'. Steve B

Hello Steve;


It may prove to be beneficial if someone of us were to telephone the Curator at the National Rifle Association headquarters (museum) located in Fairfax County, Virginia and pose the question there.

Addendum:

Having just re-read the correspondence from 1948, there is really nothing to suggest that the "Wilson Collection" was exclusively or predominantly J. Stevens A & T Co, in nature.

Using the term, the "Wilson Collection" by the letter writer, i.e., the seller, most likely was just "puffing" for the sake of marketing.  You also will notice that the writer says that the piece is of museum quality, again just a marketing ploy. 

In my opinion only,


  CMM

My guess is that in 50 years nobody will remember the Simmons collection, the Cook collection, or the Schlegel collection.
40 Rod