The Future of Gun Collecting

[Don Ro]

Many opinions:
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The Future of Gun Collecting - The Truth About Guns

[tabs]

A line from Belden and Servens 1940 book on Colt Firearms says, "You can't buy a Colt Paterson anymore for a $1.50." John (Little John) Gangle more than 20 years ago sold Colt Patterson SN #1 for 1M USD in a private sale.

There was a Wall Street Journal article in 98 or so that said that gun collecting is as bonafide a collectable as fine art. Since that article the prices on collectible guns has risen through good times and bad. Even during the crash of 08, and on the day that the DOW was down 1000 points someone stepped up to the plate and paid 975K at a Julias auction for a Colt Walker revolver. So the question becomes has collecting fine art gone away?

You also have to remember that people who collect are usually a bit older as they are the ones that have disposable income. The younger guys are concerned with paying the rent and raising families. So we will see if at a later time they are inclined to collect anything?

In this economic environment hard assets including collectable guns are a place to park money as people are thinking the money might not be any good anymore. A firearm has a utilitarian value that a Baseball Card or Comic Book does not have.

Colt Pythons are the flavor of the week and flavors do change. Will they fall back to the previous low, no but prices will return to earth.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by tabs

...
Colt Pythons are the flavor of the week and flavors do change. Will they fall back to the previous low, no but prices will return to earth.

I saw the thread title, but didn't want to consume Tab's bandwidh . Are the snakes coming back into production? That's gotta change the flavor a bit....

[Don Ro]

"You also have to remember that people who collect are usually a bit older as they are the ones that have disposable income. The younger guys are concerned with paying the rent and raising families. So we will see if at a later time they are inclined to collect anything?"
~~~~~~~~~~
This is the key...the age bracket of the collectors.
Same with cars...at a certain age and disposable income the collector wants the cars of his youth.
Now with gun collecting, I'm not so sure.

[tabs]

First gen Pythons are now in the pantheon of being collectable and will be distinguished from any second gens. The beat Pythons that are shooters will certainly take a hit, but while you will see a retrenchment from being a feeding frenzy pristine Pythons will still do well. Much like first and second gen Colt SA's, or prewar Colt 1911's. Now the pre 1970 post war 1911's are becoming pricey.

[KFC911]

Tabs I recall recently that you posted that M27s had begun to rise also. Ballpark, what's a circa '78 that's consumed a handful of boxes and looks like new bring these days?

6 or 6 1/2...can't recall.

[Rednine11]

anyone know Luger P08's?
I have one built in 1918 with issue stamps in it. all matching numbers with holster. any clue what it will be worth next year when its 100 yrs old?

[tabs]

Originally Posted by KC911

Tabs I recall recently that you posted that M27s had begun to rise also. Ballpark, what's a circa '78 that's consumed a handful of boxes and looks like new bring these days?

6 or 6 1/2...can't recall.

Off the top O my head $900 maybe a bit more...5 screws are in the 1500 range.

[id10t]

In 1920, you could use a $20 gold piece to buy a NIB Colt 1911.

Today, you can buy a generic misc year circulated $20 from ampex for about $1200.

Today, you can buy a brand new Colt $1911 on gunbroker for $900ish.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Rednine11

anyone know Luger P08's?
I have one built in 1918 with issue stamps in it. all matching numbers with holster. any clue what it will be worth next year when its 100 yrs old?

No more than what it is worth today.

Holster dated to 1918, in really clean condition $1800. With matching numbered wood based mags MORE...

I recently saw a 1916 wt holster go for around 18. I would like to have had that one.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by id10t

In 1920, you could use a $20 gold piece to buy a NIB Colt 1911.

Today, you can buy a generic misc year circulated $20 from ampex for about $1200.

Today, you can buy a brand new Colt $1911 on gunbroker for $900ish.

Uuaaahhhh.... So step up to buy a 1920 $20 Double Eagle or a 1920 NIB Colt 1911 and see what they are going to cost.

A new in the box Colt 1911 circa 1920 is going to bring one hell of a lot more than 1200 plus $900 for a new production 1911. You are talking 4K anyway.

New production Colts are not made like they made em in grandpas day...start with forged parts vs cast parts.


whew....the notions people have?

[tabs]

You know you just can't buy a Van Gogh for 100M anymore....what has the world come to...especially when Warhols are going for 100 mil.

I have been doing this since 1979.

[ckelly78z]

Collecting guns for your own personal enjoyment really has no risks, As long as you clean and care for the gun, you can use it every day, and still have increased value after almost any length of time (short, or long). It is easily saleable to almost anyone, and is honestly as good as money in the hand (sometimes in a SHTF situation, even better than $$).

[tabs]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Collecting guns for your own personal enjoyment really has no risks, As long as you clean and care for the gun, you can use it every day, and still have increased value after almost any length of time (short, or long). It is easily saleable to almost anyone, and is honestly as good as money in the hand (sometimes in a SHTF situation, even better than $$).

Almost with some caveats.

[John Rogers]

An elder Schuetzen fellow I shoot with recently sold a pair of Pope single shot rifles in original condition that he has had for many years and won many matches with. He used the money to buy a new Ford diesel truck (cash) and take his wife who is not doing very well on a two week Caribbean cruise in 1st class flying 1st class to FL and such. Still has $$$$ left over.

[black_falcon]

Originally Posted by Rednine11

anyone know Luger P08's?
I have one built in 1918 with issue stamps in it. all matching numbers with holster. any clue what it will be worth next year when its 100 yrs old?

Have any photos? I'll tell you exactly what you have, and give you a valuation.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

Have any photos? I'll tell you exactly what you have, and give you a valuation.

Can you decipher Unit markings as well?

I kinda like the late Imperial, Weimar period stuff...the NAZI era ehhhh.

I could easily be a collector of the FREIKORPS stuff.

In late 15 I found a Mauser Kar 98A Erfurt 1918 with matching numbers and a very high percentage of original rust blue. It has the Bavarian Friekorp cartouche in the stock. It has no import marks and was most likely a WW2 bring back. From condition it most likely never saw frontline service in WW1, was either issued to a Freikorps member in Southern Germany who put it away until after WW2 or was racked in some party organizations arsenal? After the war it was liberated by an American GI in Southern Germany?

It could have been a post war pre 68 import, but those usually won't come with an original leather sling

If you pay attention to the Mauser GEW 98's you will find that those with 1916 chamber dates are the ones that are most likely to be matching numbers and with original finish.

[black_falcon]

Originally Posted by tabs

Can you decipher Unit markings as well?

I kinda like the late Imperial, Weimar period stuff...the NAZI era ehhhh.

I could easily be a collector of the FREIKORPS stuff.

In late 15 I found a Mauser Kar 98A Erfurt 1918 with matching numbers and a very high percentage of original rust blue. It has the Bavarian Friekorp cartouche in the stock. It has no import marks and was most likely a WW2 bring back. From condition it most likely never saw frontline service in WW1, was either issued to a Freikorps member in Southern Germany who put it away until after WW2 or was racked in some party organizations arsenal? After the war it was liberated by an American GI in Southern Germany?

It could have been a post war pre 68 import, but those usually won't come with an original leather sling

If you pay attention to the Mauser GEW 98's you will find that those with 1916 chamber dates are the ones that are most likely to be matching numbers and with original finish.

Tabs, yes! Post up some photos or the unit marking and I'll try to decipher what you've got. Because the Germans quit unit marking pistols in 1916/17, it will probably be a non standard marking from the Reichswehr.

I have a 1916 Erfurt with a Reichswehr provisional unit marking to the 28th Light Inf Division and I was able to track the pistol's history from the late 20's through the end of the war. Amazing piece of history that saw service in the initial invasion of Czechoslovakia, was at Normandy in 1940 in preparation for the invasion of England, redeployed to the eastern front in 1941 with the 28th suffering heavy losses and eventually dissolved into the 7th Light Inf Regiment which was eventually captured at Battle of the Buldge. Through a German website I was able to track the movement of the 28th Inf Division including key battles, dates/times, and names of German servicemen of the 28th who were KIA.

I have seen FREIKORPS markings on rifles and pistols but they are a rare bird. About five years ago I was bidding on a Luger with the "R" carved into the grips denoting FREIKORPS service. I believe they were also carved into stocks. I have zero interest in modern guns but the stories these old milsurps can tell you is absolutely fascinating.