Showbiz In ‘Pieces Of People’ has Ives Devos (56) 325.000 euro profit made by a revolver from his huge collection to sell. “And it will be even more”, says the wapenverzamelaar in Day All. “Because that Colt of president Kennedy is perhaps for half a million back to America.” In his underground bunker talks Ives openly about his fascinating, but sometimes also dangerous passion.

“I was 24 when I along with my wife Dominique was on holiday in America, and we happen to be out at an arms fair,” says Ives Devos enthusiastic wal. “I have my first antique Colt ( after 1830 perfected Samuel Colt the revolver, and he founded a factory for firearms to build upon ) purchased. The beginning of a beautiful collection which would eventually become about 150 pieces. All Colts.”

Was as a child you are already passionate about firearms?

No, but I am always a collector, first of stamps and comic books. I was born in Houthalen, where my father, a professional soldier, was sent. On my 12th I started my own postzegelclub on and I began selling stamps to the teachers of the grammar school. Buy and sell has me always in the blood, sat down

you Came as the son of a professional soldier from an early age in contact with weapons?

not really, all he brought to throw a thunderflash, a namaakgranaat, that we are in the fields could hurl. We also played cowboy and indian. That is no longer politically correct, but it was the time of ‘Zorro’ and ‘Bonanza’ on tv. That is where my interest in American history came from: the conquest of the Wild West, the American civil war. Every collector goes back to his youth.

do you Have history studied?

No, on my 18th I went to work, but I do have marketing studied in evening classes. For I full-time dealer in ancient weapons, I worked as a crisis manager for companies. Then I did very well my earn bread.

Why are you stopped? There is still more to earn with antique revolvers?

I sale certainly not every day a Colt of a half-million. Most of the weapons that I sell, between 600 and 2,500 euro. No, the business world is a rat race in which every year you better performance. So you may find yourself in the destruction work. That I wanted to avoid by my company Wild West Treasures.

Since you already have a collection, you could start right away.

You can’t store, start with only Colts in the window. No, in 2002 I have my whole collection auction in the US and with that money I have a stock built where just about every historic brand was represented: Remington, Winchester, Smith & Wesson and Colt, of course.

The Colt from ‘Pieces Of People’ did you not sold. Or had you not yet?

Anyway, I have that Colt for 30 years in my possession. But that is a turret from 1961 and that it did not fit in my historic collection.

Why did you at that time you then purchased? As an investment?

‘Kennedy’, as I call him, is more than a weapon. It is a piece of history. After John F. Kennedy in 1960 was elected the president of America has his brother Bobby (Robert Kennedy, who later became minister of Justice, was, editor’s note) this weapon is ordered from Colt. As a gift for his brother John. It is a unique piece that is entirely hand-made. Some parts are in solid gold.

Is not unusual to have a gun to give as a gift?

It is a revolver, not a pistol, but in the States it is very common to have a weapon as a gift. Certainly in states like Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. If there’s a prize draw is held, there is always a firearm at the prices. That can at me not in: even children can be as a weapon of war win.

which ‘Kennedy’? Have you already shot?

My weapons are in working condition, but I am no shooter. That doesn’t interest me. Me going to be the history. At the ‘Kennedy’ hear a pack of documents, such as the order of Bobby by Colt, the handwritten note from John to his brother. I have that piece at the time for bought, already, everyone told me crazy.