Iron Hunt

Vintage iron is not easy to acquire. 

It is part of what makes it worthwhile but also what frustrates many. 

Every collector has a recurring dream about scoring the big one. The one that starts with a random garage sale, a tip from a friend, or a marketplace ad, and ends with iron gold. Undisturbed, in original condition, and complete. 

Yes, we all have the dream. The lucky ones among us have experienced the dream in real life, with few experiences like it. 

Finds “in the wild” are exhilarating, satisfying, and profoundly addicting. It is also one of the best ways to add significant pieces to a budding collection. Sadly, it is a bit like finding a winning lotto scratcher in the garbage. It doesn’t happen very often. Luck plays a part in it. Some say that luck is the only factor that matters, but there’s more to it. 

Here are the best ways to make your own luck. 

Play The Numbers Game

It’s boring, tedious, and much work, but one has to put in the effort. Search your local marketplace ads. The frequency and search terms don’t matter as much as the consistency. Stop by garage sales, thrift stores, and antique shops. The more chances you give yourself, the better your odds.

Know What You Are Looking At

Vintage Iron can be found in many forms and conditions. Plates can have bad paint jobs. Barbells can be rusted and missing identifying marks. Strength implements can be incorrectly assembled or in pieces. Also, ad pictures are often blurry, incomplete, or dimly lit. Understanding the subtle differences across iron of different eras and makers is immensely beneficial. 

Ask Questions 

Where there is smoke, there is usually rusty iron. If a partial weight set is found, ask about the other pieces. If there are collars, ask about the matching barbell. Ask about the story of where parts came from. Sometimes there’s little to learn. Sometimes, it leads to treasure. The cardinal rule is always to ask if there’s anything else available for sale. 

Make Friends and Build Bridges

Last and most importantly, give back to the iron community. Be helpful to others starting that may have questions. Conduct yourself with respect and integrity. Build genuine relationships with others and strive to be fair in all transactions. Aggressively trying to gain the upper hand in a trade with a fellow collector leads to burnt bridges over time. The more you give, the more you will receive in the long term.