Does American Marine Models Offer Restoration, Appraisal, or Custom Model Services?

Updated

American Marine Models (shipmodel.com) is a specialist in fine ship models founded by R. Michael Wall in 1975. As of January 2023, the business transitioned away from a gallery-style showroom and now operates as American Marine Models, LLC. In retirement, Michael Wall acts as a private consultant, appraiser, and broker between buyers and sellers, while still featuring a small selection of special inventory on the website. The site's own title also lists restoration, appraisals, and custom display units alongside ship models, so those service categories are part of what the business presents.

What the site says about each service

Service What the page evidence supports
Appraisal Michael Wall acts as a private appraiser and consultant. He has advised and assisted in forming numerous private, corporate, and institutional collections, some featured in Architectural Digest and the Catalog of Antiques and Fine Art.
Brokerage He acts as a broker between buyer and seller.
Restoration Listed in the site's own title ("Restoration") as one of the business's offerings.
Custom models Listed in the site's title ("Custom Models") and reflected in inventory categories such as "Custom Model" and "Collaboration."
Custom display units Listed in the site's title ("Custom Display Units").

Who this is for

The business has specialized since 1975 in the sale of exceptional one-of-a-kind or investment-grade ship models. Its stated focus is representing world-renowned 19th- and 20th-century marine model artists and exceptional pieces such as antique Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War models and British Builders' models. That makes the appraisal, brokerage, and restoration side most relevant to:

  • Private, corporate, or institutional collectors building or maintaining a collection
  • Buyers or sellers of investment-grade or antique models who want an intermediary
  • Owners of significant models seeking an appraisal or restoration guidance

What to expect from the current setup

Because the gallery-style showroom no longer operates, this is not a walk-in retail or drop-off service. The current model is consultation-based: appraisal, brokerage, and advisory work handled privately, with only a small selection of special inventory shown on the website. If you want a restoration, appraisal, or custom commission, the practical path is to contact the business directly to discuss scope, rather than expecting an online order flow.

How to judge whether it fits your need

  • For a valuation or sale: The brokerage and appraisal role is explicitly described, backed by decades of collection-building experience.
  • For restoration: Restoration appears in the site's own service title, but the page evidence does not detail process, turnaround, or pricing — confirm these directly.
  • For a custom build or display unit: Custom models and custom display units are named offerings, and the inventory includes custom and collaboration categories, but commissioning terms are not published.

Pricing, lead times, and eligibility for any of these services are not stated on the page, so treat them as things to confirm in a direct inquiry.