Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Apr 12/04) - After 25 years, a Fort Smith man is selling off his impressive collection of guns.

At the collection's peak, Brian Heron figures he had about 225 rifles -- one of each model -- with an estimated value of $100,000.

Fort Smith's Brian Heron stands amid his impressive gun collection, which he is now selling. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Heron said it was probably one of the better gun collections in the NWT.

In the last six months, he has sold about 50.

"It was hard to sell the first one," he said. "After that, it was easy."

The hardest thing was knowing that, once he sold a certain rifle, he would likely never be able to find another one like it.

Heron, 53, bought the rifles at gun shows and from other collectors, mostly in the South.

"I collected a lot of oddballs and calibers you don't normally find," he said.

Asked about some of the more interesting items in his collection, Heron first pointed to a 1935 Mauser in mint condition, complete with a bayonet. The German gun is worth about $800.

There is also an 1898 Crag, which comes from the Spanish American War.

One of the oldest and most historic is a Springfield rifle, made in the days of Custer. It is about 130 years old.

However, Heron said he has no favourites among his collection.

Eventually, he intends to sell off the entire collection, although he figures it might take a couple of years.

Heron said he started collecting when he was in the taxi business and planning to open a gun shop after he retired.

However, those plans changed. The former owner of Heron's Trucking retired three years ago, but now plans to start another business.

While they await their new owners, the guns are well protected in a locked room in his basement and all are secured with cables.

Heron said he always liked guns, having been a hunter all his life.

"I was interested in the mechanics of them," he explained, adding he also likes old firearms. "They're a piece of history."

Once his guns are gone, Heron says he will find another hobby.