CHARLES WAGNER

When Charles (Charlie) Wagner was 14 years old in 1953, he purchased a 25 cent raffle ticket at a school festival. That lucky ticket won for him his first gun, and as he proudly carried that rifle home, he knew that it was the beginning of a lifelong passion. A few months later he rode his bicycle (being still too young to drive a car) to a gun store so that he could spend his paycheck on a British Enfield pistol. He then pedaled back home with his new pistol and ammo in the basket on his bicycle. Two months later he had earned enough money to go back to the store for a K98 Mauser rifle which he carried under his arm as he biked back to his house. He proceeded to collect guns for almost 70 years, amassing world class collections of FN High Powers, Walther PPKs, Radoms, and Lugers. While handguns were his main focus, he also acquired excellent examples of many types of rifles and holsters. At the end of his life he had amassed over 500 guns and over 400 holsters. His children have kept some of his pieces as a part of his legacy but, given the enormity of the collection, they will be parting with some over the next few years so that other collectors can enjoy the pieces that meant so much to him.

Charlie didn’t just collect; he loved learning and researching about the history of his firearms. He relished becoming an expert on a topic and would gladly talk for hours with others who shared his passion. His drive to learn everything there is to know about his firearms pushed him to become one of the most knowledgeable people in the country on the FN High Power. He served as President of the Browning Collector’s Association, and attended gun shows all over the country with his FN High Power display (winning many awards such as 2001’s Best of Show at Kansas City’s National Summer Arms Show and 1st Place at the 2015 National Gun Day in Louisville, KY).

For over 60 years he was a regular participant at gun shows all across the country and truly enjoyed spending time with others who shared his passion for firearms. He would be happy to know that many of his favorite pieces will find their way back into the collecting community.