Collecting
The best advice I can give you is three-fold:
1) Never buy an antique or vintage Colt or other firearm without getting good advice from someone who knows about them. The only exception is if you are at a gun show and dealing with a major dealer with a reputation for integrity, such as Herb Glass, Jr. or Vinnie Caponi, etc.
2. For every gun you buy, you should try to buy a book about it and read it. By studying the guns you are interested in, it lessens the chances of you "getting took" in a gun deal. Unfortunately there are a lot of sharpies out there.
3. After you buy your gun and your book, start saving for your next one!
1) Never buy an antique or vintage Colt or other firearm without getting good advice from someone who knows about them. The only exception is if you are at a gun show and dealing with a major dealer with a reputation for integrity, such as Herb Glass, Jr. or Vinnie Caponi, etc.
2. For every gun you buy, you should try to buy a book about it and read it. By studying the guns you are interested in, it lessens the chances of you "getting took" in a gun deal. Unfortunately there are a lot of sharpies out there.
3. After you buy your gun and your book, start saving for your next one!
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Over several months I have been viewing the auction side for antique firearms. Just researching. I personally like civil war and western firearms that has history to them. Winchester 1876-1873-1894.... trapdoors, Sharps..Colt pocket pistols are some of my favs. I know this is a tough question but... If I wanted to spend 3 to 4k on a single gun for lets say 5 years.... what would be a solid choice , investment, collector value, for 5 guns, in order of collectability..according to the experts...
thx0 -
Colts or Winchesters I think it is a buyers market.However I think the next step after the health Care bill has passed and signed today which has come to pass . IMHO the next thing The current POTUS will go after from the citizens of the U.S. is firearms . With one stroke of his pen he can make any collection almost worthless [:(!][V]"can never be sold" If you can't legally sell then only the bad guys will still traffic in firearms. 0 -
I'm not that caliber of collector, but in all my reading, gossiping, and drooling over high quality guns, to paraphrase the realtors, it would be "Colt, Colt, Colt."
I saw a SAA (with letter) at my local pawn shop yesterday. It was admittedly there strictly to "test the market", and when I asked the price, the clerk said "Twelve to fifteen."
They know they won't get that, but the pistol had been properly cared for, was about 95% or better finish, and simply gorgeous.
One never knows what is going to show up at an out of the way shop in a relatively small city in NW Indiana! (Go Purdue!!!)0 -
quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
Colts or Winchesters I think it is a buyers market.However I think the next step after the health Care bill has passed and signed today which has come to pass . IMHO the next thing The current POTUS will go after from the citizens of the U.S. is firearms . With one stroke of his pen he can make any collection almost worthless [:(!][V]"can never be sold" If you can't legally sell then only the bad guys will still traffic in firearms.
I totally disagree.
Colt SAA, Winchester 1885's in top cond., Pre war Winchester 70's, 1894's with special features.0 -
What Cartod said.
I would also add ORIGINAL lever action Winchesters. 1866's, 73's,76's,86's,etc.
Good luck!0 -
I might add the Win 1895 and an Old Marlin for some diversification. I would like a good original Parker Shotgun too, although that is a little out of your interest description. 0 -
Similar to when buying real estate the mantra for guns is condition, condition condition.
No matter what antique guns you decide to buy, condition and originality are the main factors governing future value. It's best to save your money over the years to buy one original piece in original excellent condition, then buying 1/2 dozen shooters that will only have minimal appreciation value wise. Quality always trumps quanity.0 -
Just a word of caution.......
My observation has been that "collectors" have done pretty well value-wise over the years, but "investors" rarely do. That's because someone with money, but not a great depth of knowledge of what he is looking at, will often buy collectibles with "problems". Unless you have Bert with you when you are looking at Winchesters, or Perry Shooter with you when you are looking at 1911's, etc, you are likely to get fleeced.
A few years ago I attended an antique gun show, & walked the floor the first day; I picked up a lot of guns I found interesting, but I never had a seller volunteer any information about what I was looking at. The next day, I walked the floor with someone who was a well-known collector & expert; in most cases, when HE picked up the same gun, the seller would quickly tell him "that one's had the barrel replaced", or "the frizzell on that is broken", or "the caliber used to be .54, but it's now...", etc. That experience made me realize, once you leave your area of expertise, it's caveat emptor.
If I were investing, I'd be darn sure to get advice from an expert before committing my money.
Neal0 -
You'.ve researched it now just buy what you like. It sounds simplistic but it almost always works out no matter what you're talking about. I have colts and winchesters and they, on paper have done well but percentage wise the .410 stevens 311 doubles that I've always liked have increased alot more. 0 -
nmyers' words of caution are worth printing and carrying with you and reading again and again as you consider firearms investments in the multiple thousand dollar range. Unless you're getting advice from a trusted expert you are likely to get burned on your purchases. Original condition and rarity are everything in determining gun values. The best way to learn the pitfalls is to buy a few; you'll discover how easy it is to make a mistake soon enough. I suggest buying guns because you like them and appreciate them. They, in turn, may appreciate and original condition older Colts and Winchesters are likely to do so. As perryshooter notes, there are some potential wild cards with the current administration. Another issue you might consider is whether the upcoming generations will have the same interest the boomers and earlier folks have. I'm not sure that will be the case and if not there is no guarantee that prices for even Colts and Winchesters will continue to rise. Buy em because you like them, shoot them occasionally, but don't bank on being able to retire on the appreciation. 0 -
Thanks guys.... Rufe and Neal I aggree with ya'll. Condition...condition. I am not an expert so I need help knowing what i look at..
In my life, I have learned these things... on several subjects I can give lots of help to first timers to save them time , trouble and money..... but not collectable firearms. But I can be a quick learner. Ask me about Porsches and I can give you all the does and donts quickly.
However If I was smart... knew my stuff,,,,, what 5 guns ( american) would you (we)collect..... 3to4 k each....
thanks fc0
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