A Brief History of the Commemoratives

The Commemorative age began with Colt in 1960 with the Geneseo, Illinois, 125^th Anniversary Derringer. Not to be left out, Winchester released the 1964 Wyoming Diamond Jubilee Model 94 carbine. These two leading firearm manufactures have dominated the commemorative gun market ever since.

The popularity of these firearms brought on a whole new category of people interested in the commemoratives, the arms collector. Both Colt and Winchester actively promoted their commemoratives at gun shows, sporting goods events, and the like. This opened the door to the general public, meaning even more collectors. Now it was not just the arms collectors and the dealers that wanted the commemoratives, but the public was interested in the historic value and craftsmanship as well.  It also became clear to the manufactures as well as the collectors that the purchase of a commemorative was an investment that with proper care would continue to grow.

The collectors and dealers wanted to purchase a commemorative unused or "new in box" issues which often featured a colorful designed cover for shipping. Collectors also purchased the commemoratives for their different categories of firearms, such as standard, presentation, custom and custom deluxe. Commemoratives were made to represent and honor anniversaries, a person, organization, business, statehood, territory, country, historic events, Native American Indians, law enforcement, and the firearm manufactures.