Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Quist.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Vintage Arms became a licensed Federal Firearms dealer in 1999, It was established primarily to service the antique, vintage and collectible segments of the firearms community. Over time the business ventured into other segments of the market and began to offer new services including gun show sponsorship, appraisals, and evaluations. As the founder and general manager of the firm was not active in the new firearms market the decision was reached to concentrate on the underserved and more obscure areas of the market. With the expansion of the internet into firearms business, we began to offer transfer services internet based buyers, we do the required background check, complete the proper paperwork and make sure that the required waiting periods have been observed.
We also began to offer shipping services to assure people shipping out of state that the process is handled legally and in compliance with Federal and State laws. Our business has grown in many directions but our core remains the acquisition of individual pieces and entire collections from antiques to new old stock modern. Our appraisal services have taken us around the region evaluating and authenticating many unique and desirable firearms, we have also been instrumental in evaluating collections for estates and helped in many instances with the disposition of the collections. Our knowledge base has allowed us to provide consulting and property master services to the film and art communities. We have even prepared and delivered historical presentations for a local library.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like any business it hasn’t been smooth sailing, anything related to the firearms business is subject to attack and political pressure. Being based in Illinois saddles any firearms based venture with obscure and convoluted, restrictive and nonsensical regulations. The core of all firearms regulations and laws start at the Federal level but each State is able to add its own law into the mix which means that what is legal and acceptable in one State is not in others. Illinois is among the top 3 States for restrictive laws and regulations and actually has some dealing with historical items that none of them. We are not opposed to background checks, and certainly do not want guns in the wrong hands, but in many instances what has been put in place in Illinois is unreasonable and worse obfuscated to the point when the general buying public is not fully aware of what they need to do especially in the case of private no dealer related sales and purchases. Another couple challenges that we contend with is misconceptions. the two biggest are 1.That it is old so it must have a high value. 2. I saw one just like this that they were asking XXX 3. and the worse one, somebody (who didn’t see the item) told me its worth xxx.
We try to serve the client to the best of our ability we are hired because of our knowledge and skill for making an accurate evaluation of what they have but more importantly where is the market for such an item today.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What sets us apart from others is that we focus on the non-mainstream items, there are countless shops many of them very customer focused that can help the buyer of new firearms, they make excellent recommendations about accessories and what best serves their individual clientele. Our main focus has and will be on the classic, collectible and used firearms market. Our approach is to figure out what the client is ultimately trying to achieve, then make our recommendations of how to proceed from there. Often it is a simple what is this worth on the open market? in which case we evaluate the firearm as to how we feel it would perform on the open market. Other times it is an estate and we need to start with the evaluation and then discuss the various disposal options.
Another thing that we are very proud of is our affiliation with the Lake County Gun and Sportsman Show when the small gun show was established to serve northeast Illinois, We decided that the show should cater to the new shooter markets. Each show provides and a free raffle for a young shooter 17 and under and they win a new .22 rifle (legally transferred to the parent or guardian of course). We also collect food our local mission providing an admission discount for those who donate, 3 times a year Open Arms Missions benefits from our collection activities, and with 1 late winter show and 1 summer show those donations are greatly appreciated. Lastly at each November show we do a Toys for Tots raffle, each year the United States Marine Corp will have a few serving members come to the show and collect toys or a cash donation for doing so Vintage Arms and Lake County Gun Shows provides a special rifle usually in excess of $1,500.00 the donations are rewarded with a raffle ticket and someone becomes a lucky winner. We really try to promote the sport and hobby in a safe exciting manner and we very much try to be a good and generous neighbor in the community.
What were you like growing up?
I was quiet for the most part, generally a bit shy and just as awkward as any other kid. I had interests in shooting, hunting, cars, airplanes, most mechanical things generally and history.
Contact Info:
- Address: Vintage Arms of Illinois
18276 W. Gages Lake Road
Gages Lake Il 60030 - Website: www.vintagearms.com
- Phone: 847 548 0433
- Email: mike@vintagearms.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vintagearms/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/lakecountygunshows/
Image Credit:
Mike Quist
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