How to Buy or Inquire About Ship Models from American Marine Models (shipmodel.com)

American Marine Models, LLC is the renamed business of R. Michael Wall, a ship model specialist operating since 1975. As of January 2023, Wall has retired from gallery-style or showroom operations, so there is no walk-in showroom to visit. Instead, the site presents a small selection of special inventory, and inquiries are handled remotely. Buying here suits collectors looking for one-of-a-kind or investment-grade pieces — particularly antique Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War models and British Builders' models — rather than shoppers seeking a large, continuously stocked retail catalog.

What the site actually offers now

The page evidence describes the current setup clearly:

• The gallery has been renamed American Marine Models, LLC.
• Wall no longer operates a gallery-style or showroom business.
• He continues as a private consultant, appraiser, and broker between buyer and seller.
• A small selection of special inventory is still featured on the website.
• The focus remains on 19th and 20th-century marine model artists and exceptional one-of-a-kind or investment-grade pieces.

So the practical takeaway: this is a curated, low-volume source, not a full e-commerce store. If you need a specific model type, you may need to inquire rather than assume it is in stock.

How to browse the current inventory

The site organizes inventory through category filters. The evidence shows a "Current Inventory" count of 10 items, plus browsing by vessel type and by name. Vessel-type categories include:

A few notes on reading this table:

• The counts appear to reflect category tags across the site's catalog, not necessarily items currently for sale. "Current Inventory" is listed separately as 10.
• Some categories show zero (Navy Board model), which tells you that browsing there will not return results.
• "Custom Model" appears as a category, which suggests custom work is represented in the catalog, though the page evidence does not detail a custom-build ordering process.

How to inquire or buy

The page evidence does not describe a checkout system, pricing, or a contact form. What it does establish is Wall's ongoing role as a consultant, appraiser, and broker between buyer and seller. That points to a direct-inquiry process rather than an online cart.

A reasonable approach based on what the site states:

1. Identify what you want using the vessel-type or name filters, and note the specific piece or category.
2. Reach out directly through the contact details published on the site (the evidence does not list them, so check the site's contact page).
3. State your purpose — purchase, appraisal, restoration question, or brokerage between a buyer and seller — since Wall's current services span all of these.
4. Expect remote handling. With no showroom, viewing and negotiation happen through correspondence rather than in person.

Because pricing is not published in the available evidence, do not assume listed items are free, fixed-price, or immediately available. Treat any figure or availability as something to confirm in your inquiry.

What kinds of models to expect

The collection emphasis, per the site, is on:

• Antique Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War models — models made by prisoners of war, a recognized collecting category.
• British Builders' models — original shipyard models, historically significant and often investment-grade.
• One-of-a-kind or investment-grade pieces generally.
• Work by world-renowned 19th and 20th-century marine model artists.

Wall's background, as stated on the site, includes over 45 years in the field and advising on private, corporate, and institutional collections, some featured in Architectural Digest and the Catalog of Antiques and Fine Art. That context matters if you are building or maintaining a collection and want guidance on acquisition rather than just a single purchase.

Practical considerations before you inquire

• No showroom visits. Plan for remote communication and possibly shipping arrangements you will need to discuss.
• Limited stock. With a small special inventory, the specific model you want may not be available; ask about sourcing or brokerage.
• Appraisal and restoration are separate services. If you own a model and want it valued or repaired, that is a different conversation from buying — clarify which you need.
• Verify current status. The retirement notice is dated January 2023; confirm current availability and services when you make contact.

If your goal is a specific antique or investment-grade model, this is a specialist source worth a direct inquiry. If you want a broad, browse-and-buy retail experience with published prices, this site is not structured that way.