IN THE BEGINING

At age 19 Christian Cranmer starts Fire Power International south of London. It is with this company that the seeds of International Military Antiques are planted. He travels the world in search of lost and forgotten weapons.

Christian Cranmer seen as a child and as a young adult

1965

IMA FOUNDED

Christian Cranmer started the business when he was 24 years old in his native London. He inherited his father's collection of 300 antique weapons and started investigating where the big stashes of old military munitions were laid to rest after a conflict. He purchased those weapons and sold them to collectors throughout Europe.

Christian Cranmer getting his hands dirty, starting the business

1981

IMA IN ADVERTISING

Mail order advertisements in the Shotgun News. IMA was known for their unique lighthearted military cartoon advertisements.

Cartoon Advertisement for IMA

1982

IMA IN PRINT

First print catalog published.

First IMA Catalog Cover

1985

IMA ON SCREEN

IMA supplies Steven Spielberg's film "Saving Private Ryan" and continues to outfit more than 40 films and television series over the next two decades.

Saving Private Ryan Box Art

1996

ACQUISITIONS

IMA acquires more that 55,000 antique guns, 20,000 vintage edged weapons and 160 ancient bronze cannons from the kingdom of Nepal.

Christian Cranmer posing with Nepalese military figures

2003

ALEX & THE WEBSITE

Christian's son Alex joins the business and with him the implementation of an eCommerce website. Selling online grows IMA to become the world leader of the military collectible and antique gun industry.

Alex Cranmer pictured as a child and young adult

2004

IMA ON TV

Family Guns on the National Geographic Channel airs.

Promotional Picture of Television Show Family Guns

2012

ALEX ON PAWN STARS

Alex becomes the antique weapons and military collectibles expert on History Channel's Pawn Stars appearing in 7 season and over 50 episodes to date.

Alex Cranmer pictured on Television Show Pawn Stars

2015

INC MAGAZINE

INC magazine publishes a story on the family business success of International Military Antiques.

Christian and Alex Cranmer pictured in INC Magazine

2016

Screen capture from the movie 'Fury'
Modern Indiana Jones bring back tons of guns

ACQUISITION SPOTLIGHT

Forgotten Arsenal of the Royal Nepalese Gurkha Army
2003 Nepal
55,000
Antique guns, Edged Weapons,
80+ Bronze Cannons and more
1976 EGYPT
15,000
Victorian Era 19th century
Rifles and Swords
1978 EGYPT
100,000
Bayonets dating from
1850-1950
1984 URUGUAY
20,000
Pre-WW1 Rifles
1996 INDIA
100,000
Assortment of WW1/WW2
U.S. and British Guns
1996 BALKANS
10,000
WW2 German Machine Guns
1997 FINLAND
2,000
WW1 Russian Maxim
Machine Guns
2012 FINLAND/ESTONIA
32,000
WW2 German Helmets
2014 Finland/Estonia
2,000
WW1 German Helmets
WWII era Ally fighter planes flying in formation