Our Model Ships Buyer's Guide

• What to look for when buying a model ship:

  • Quality

  • Price

  • Selection

  • Customer Service

• About the overall model ship industry

• Handcrafted Model Ships quality levels:

  High Quality
  Superior Quality
  Museum Quality

Here is some very helpful
information that may help you
select just the right ship for you
or as a gift for that special person.

First and foremost, Handcrafted Model Ships, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of high quality model ships in the world. We realize that purchasing a model ship is a significant decision. If you are not a model builder, it can be very difficult to determine what is a "great" model or a "great" value. To further complicate the matter, not being able to examine the model in person, or not being able to compare models of different builders to examine the small details, makes the decision even more confusing. In summary, a ship model might look good from afar, but when closely examined it is far from good.

To make your decision easier, we provide this Buyer's Guide to help inform you what to look for before you purchase a model ship: quality, price, selection and customer service.

Quality can be one of the most confusing parts to determining which model ship is perfect for you, and even more so when trying to decipher the information provided from those who are selling the model.

Ask these questions:

• How many pictures does the seller provide of the model to assess the quality?

• How many angles of the model are shown?

• What is the quality of the picture?

• Are certain angles of the ship noticeably missing?

• When examining the pictures, is the model historically accurate?

• How much research is done before building the model?

• How is the model constructed?

• What components are used to build the model?

• How detailed is the model? (take particular note of the deck details)

• Does the seller have quality control or inspect all models prior to shipment?

• How is the model packaged, does the seller show pictures?

All of these questions can be exhausting, but we make determining quality simple and easy. At Handcrafted Model Ships, Inc., we are confident we have the highest quality model ships for the price in the world. We offer three different quality levels: high, superior and museum to suit every taste and budget. We also provide the following items to assess a model ship's quality:

Pictures: To show our quality we show many high quality images that show all angles of the model. If you would like more pictures of any given model, contact us and we will provide them.

HMS Victory

San Felipe

USS Constitution

Accuracy: Our models are authentic replicas. We take advantage of every available resource to ensure that our models are as accurate as possible. We use copies of the plans, pictures, period paintings and visit the actual ship when possible (HMS Victory in Portsmouth England, USS Constitution in Boston, etc).

Components: Our models are constructed of various rare exotic woods, including walnut, cherry, oak and teak to name a few. For the hull, we feature authentically aged copper plating (just like on the real ship - this was done to prevent the wooden hull from deteriorating). The decks carry machine turned brass cannons and the thick canvas sails hold their shape and remain wrinkle-free. In addition, our vessels rest on a polished marble base with ornately carved metal supports.

Amazing Deck Detail
HMS Suprise	USS Constitution 38"	Harvey Baltimore Clipper

Renderings of the capstan and ladders

Construction: To build our models, we use a combination of old-world skills and 21st century technology for starters. The thousands of pieces and components that make up each model are created using 3-D modeling, and assembled by master craftsmen from scratch. The sails and riggings are meticulously tied by hand, and each ship is masterfully painted to match its historical counterpart.

Details: Our models have all the little details you would expect in quality model ships (planked decks, tied-down cannons, cannon balls and cannon ball racks, oars in the lifeboats, barrels, buckets, hundreds of dead-eyes and blocks, etc). With all of these details, the models come to life with realism and authenticity.

Learn how we make our models

Inspection: As the manufacturer, we have strict quality standards and ensure that all models are in perfect condition during construction. We also have a seven-point inspection prior to every model being shipped.

Packaging: All of our models are professionally packaged in a wooden crate and are guaranteed to arrive in perfect condition. We stand behind our products with a 100% money back guarantee.

Learn about how we package our models

This is obviously one of the most important aspects in buying a model ship. In theory, quality should be related to price, but that is not always the case. So before you purchase a model ship, ask yourself, "Am I getting the highest quality (see section below) model ship for the price?" The best way to determine this is asking the question: Am I buying from an overseas importer, distributor or the manufacturer?

As the manufacturer, we are confident that we offer the highest quality models for the price for the following reasons:

1. Building models ships is our passion, this is all we do and this is all we will ever do. As a result, all of our efforts and resources focus on building the highest quality model ship at the lowest possible price.

2. We have a research and development process that has been perfected during our decades of experience building model ships. This process allows us to research and design new models faster and at a lower price

3. We have a streamlined construction technique. We build multiple models at one time and have expert builders at each stage of production (hull, rigging, painting, etc). This allows our models to meet our strict quality standards but be constructed in a reasonable time frame.

4. We make a majority of our own pieces and make them in large quantities. Some of these pieces can be used for multiple models allowing further cost savings (brass cannons, sails, gun-ports, etc).

5. We advertise very little. A majority of our business is from past buyers or referrals. As this is a major cost in any business, we can pass this substantial savings on to you.

Now that you have an eye for quality, look for which historic model will best fit your needs.

Ask the following questions:

When looking to purchase a model from a company, how many total different models do they offer?

How many versions of a specific model do they offer?

Do they offer various quality levels and price ranges?

Can they custom build or change any item on the ship?

Do they offer display accessories custom built to fit your model?

Our wide assortment of models will suit every taste and it will fit your budget perfectly as well. For example, we offer 5 different sized and priced HMS Victory models and 4 different USS Constitution models.

We also offer various display options as a model ship that looks this good deserves an equally handsome home. Protect, preserve and showcase your model ship in our sturdy, custom designed rosewood display case, or display it on a stylish rosewood table or a wall-mounted shelf.

Finally, you have made your decision on price, quality, and selection, but you still need the assurance that you will receive your model in excellent condition, in a timely manner, and that it will be perfect for your home.

Ask the following questions:

• Who are you purchasing this model from?

• Are they the manufacturer, or are they an importer from overseas?

• Do they have the model in stock?

• How long before your model is shipped?

• When it is shipped, will you receive the tracking number?

• Are the sellers experts who can answer all-of-your model ship questions?

• If there is a problem will they be able to assist you?

• Can you return your model for a 100% refund?

• Do they have an 800 phone number for you to call?

At Handcrafted Model Ships. All of our models are in stock, unless otherwise noted, and we ship out models every single day. When your model is shipped, you are emailed the tracking number. If there are any issues with your purchase you can call us at (800) 313-9128, seven days a week, and we will immediately assist you. In addition, if for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your model, you can return it for a full refund.