Well, I am x3 your age and it took me 40 years to find a fascination with the Imperial era and 45 to even recognize the Republican era existed! I actually started with SM & BannerK's thinking they weren't "nazi", but that was the late 70's and early 80's when next to nothing was known about these rifles... then like everyone else I had my G43 phase in between various 98k makers, though no interest in anything after 1942.
The path you take is generally one of who you know, what you learn from them, - for me it was Bill Reed in 1998 that got me started into Imperial's, though even with that direction you quickly develop your individualistic path, which too is influenced as you find or meet more experienced collectors. Today it is far easier, no stamped mail, loads of on-line resources, auctions/forums where you can get a grip (develop experience or feeling) on what is right or wrong, - being an email and few hours from the help of a more experienced collector (all for free!)
The Republican era is probably the most difficult of the three, probably nearly as tough as the German Confederation era (1815-1866 or so), though the best part is these two eras have less followers and less competition (for the meager supply); though they do tend to have a really strong core of experienced collectors. This was how my relationship with CB came about, while I had little interest in the Confederation era rifles we did share a facination with the interwar Republic.
I agree with Chris, we have a small but very experienced group of collectors, forum wide, but I am especially pleased by the two era's forums we specialize in (Imperial & the Republic); we have a lot less posts and action than 98k, but what there is pretty high quality (generally).
